Renewable Generation at UNSW

If we are to achieve the national target of 82% renewable energy by 2030, we will likely need to double or even triple the amount of renewable energy installed per annum. With only five years remaining to meet this ambitious goal, we must immediately ramp up the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies.

Solar is on track to become the leading source of global energy generation, offering scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable power for all. UNSW has been a world-leader in solar PV since Professor Martin Green first invented the now dominant “PERC” solar cell in 1983. We are now focused on driving down the costs of the next generation of solar PV technology, which can be seamlessly integrated with households, industry and networks. To achieve this, we are focused on research and development in four key areas: 

• The development of robust PV manufacturing processes and comprehensive reliability testing. 

• Exploring new materials that will become the next generation of solar cells including  perovskite and organic solar cells. 

• Developing innovative and practical recycling methods for solar panels. 

• Developing datasets, models and tools to improve planning and operation of electricity grids with high levels of variable renewable energy. 

Beyond 2030, we are advancing research into solar-powered hydrogen and concentrated solar thermal technologies.  

Achieving UNSW's ambitious renewable energy goals will not only accelerate the global energy transformation but also solidify Australia's position as a global leader and record-breaker in solar photovoltaics. 

Key initiatives

UNSW leads the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP). ACAP is developing the next generations of photovoltaic technology, providing a pipeline of opportunities for performance increase and cost reduction. ACAP brings together six Australian research groups, under the leadership of UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering. The leading research groups work directly with industry participants for a pipeline of research impact. Major industry ACAP partners are: Bluescope Steel Ltd., PV Lighthouse Pty Ltd., Raygen Resources Pty Ltd. Tindo Solar, 5B Pty Ltd. and Sundrive Pty Ltd.

Our opportunity to leverage a proven solar innovation ecosystem

UNSW is a world leader and record-breaker in solar PV engineering. In the 1980s, Professor Martin Green (left) led the development of silicon solar photovoltaic technologies, which now account for almost 90% of the global solar cell market. Our School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering remains the world's leading school in this field. A key factor in the commercial success of solar technology at UNSW has been the deep relationships that have been developed with industry both through training students and by housing world-class facilities. In particular, UNSW’s Solar Industrial Research Facility is a photovoltaic pilot production line allowing academics to prototype new technologies and bring them to market, faster. We expect these facilities and our commercial partnerships to continue to drive improvements in solar photovoltaic efficiency and applications for years to come. We are also applying the principles of this innovation ecosystem to other energy capabilities at UNSW.