Australia Invests £21m to Drive Ultra Low-Cost Solar Energy

Australia recently announced funding worth up to AUD$40 million (£21m) to support research and development in order to drive ultra-low-cost solar energy. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will support projects that align with its Solar 30-30-30 target of 30% module efficiency and 30 cents per installed watt at utility-scale by 2030. The country is inviting applications that can materially reduce the overall cost of solar by 2030 across two streams – cells and modules and balance of system, operations, and maintenance. According to ARENA, ultra-low cost solar will be key in scaling up production of low-cost green hydrogen in support of the government’s Low Emissions Technology Statement (LETS). Its hydrogen goal of ‘H2 under $2’, as well as the key to unlocking other decarbonisation pathways for heavy industries, including low emission materials like…

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