ARENA launches $60m solar research funding

The assistance will focus on six areas.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is allocating $60m for research and development (R&D) for ultra-low-cost solar power.

“Our ultra-low-cost vision recognises that solar must be cheaper still to support and enable the renewable energy transition, especially if we are to decarbonise heavy industry and create new export industries,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller.

The funding allocated $30m each for two streams, namely cells and modules, and the balance of systems and operation and maintenance, with a total of six focus areas:

Stream 1: Cells and modules 

• Increase efficiency
• Reduce cost
• Improve stability

Stream 2: Balance of systems and operation and maintenance

• Reduce balance of system deployment costs
• Reduce operations and maintenance costs
• Other LCOE reduction or innovation to increase yield.

“This new funding round provides an opportunity for Australia’s leading universities, research groups, start-ups and entrepreneurs to make significant breakthroughs in achieving ARENA’s ultra low-cost solar vision of reducing the installed cost of solar to 30 cents per watt and bringing the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) below $20 per megawatt hour by 2030,” ARENA said.

The solar PV R&D funding round is now open for interested recipients.