Five major solar-energy R&D projects at the Australian National University have received more than $9.1 million in new funding.
The grants were received by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), an independent agency established by the government in 2012, as part of its strategy to increase the use of renewable-energy technologies in Australia by making them competitive with conventional energy sources.
In the first stage, ARENA is making a $21.5 million investment in 12 solar projects, with the funds being matched by a factor of more than 6.5 times by contributions from other partners.
The projects led by ANU scientists include research to simplify the manufacturing of solar cells, research into making silicon solar cells and solar modules more efficient, and two projects to facilitate the commercialisation of high-temperature solar thermal technology.
Of four institutions to receive grants, the ANU had the most projects funded by the scheme, and the project to receive the bulk of the money aims to improve the surface of silicon solar cells to maximise cell efficiency with an easily manufactured design. The $15.8 million project entitled Advanced surface and contact technologies improving solar cells received $4.1 million from ARENA.