The research powering the global solar revolution
How Prof. Martin Green and his team discovered a 50% efficiency leap – and unlocked a $1tn Industry.
Published on the 08 August 2024
Over the past five decades, Professor Martin Green and his team at UNSW have revolutionized photovoltaic technology, creating high-performance, low-cost solar options that have made solar power our greatest asset for the global climate crisis.
Prof. Green and his team’s pioneering impact began when they started producing solar cells with 18% efficiency in 1983, breaking the previous world record. They continued to hold this record for the next 31 years.
The team's breakthrough came with the creation of the Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology, which boosted efficiency to 25%. PERC became the world’s most commercially viable and efficient silicon solar cell technology. In recent years, PERC technology has accounted for about 90% of the world’s solar cell manufacturing output, with the team’s impact expected to grow further with the introduction of TOPCon technology.
Taking technology global
While the technology itself made a significant global impact, so too did the way it was shared with the world. Many of Professor Green’s students played crucial roles in establishing the solar manufacturing industry in Asia, creating strong market competition and significantly reducing the cost of solar cell technology.
Between 2008 and 2020, the wholesale price of solar dropped from over US$4/Watt to US$0.17/Watt. This cost reduction has made solar power an affordable option globally – and has facilitated a significant shift toward zero-emissions electricity. By 2020, solar had been recognised by the International Energy Agency as the cheapest electricity in history and advocating for the immediate uptake of solar and wind energy. It has since transitioned to being a key component in mitigating climate change.
A focus on forward momentum
The journey of Professor Green and his team has been marked by continuous progress and innovation. Over 31 years, they improved the performance of solar cells by 50% through 18 incremental steps. With PERC solar cells now the global standard and sales of their technology expected to exceed US $1 trillion by 2030, Prof. Green and the team are continuing to develop, adapt and re-visit their research.
“You need a really experienced team to sustain the effort and avoid going in circles,” says Prof. Green. “When you achieve a breakthrough, you must capitalize on that insight and then look for the next idea.”
This revolutionary work demonstrates that making green energy cheaper is key to driving its adoption. As we move into the clean energy future, solar power is not only viable – it’s essential.
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