New report released: ACAP 2.0 – Setting the Pace of Solar Research in Australia

Inside ACAP 2.0 Setting the Pace is a collection of exciting success stories from the first two years of ACAP's second phase of research.

Supported by ARENA, Australia's national solar research program is on a mission to improve solar cell performance and cut costs across the cell and module supply chain. Inside the report readers will learn how ACAP and our teams have:

• Averted long term reliability challenges in leading solar cell technologies

• Transformed the pace of solar PV R&D with artificial intelligence and machine learning

• Grown ACAP's critical mass of world class researchers through ACAP Fellowships and the addition of research groups from the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne, and CSIRO Energy in Newcastle

• Formed a plan to unlock the potential of perovskite solar cells through unified testing and data sharing

• Discovered a new pathway to singlet fission enhanced silicon solar cells and a potential 10% efficiency boost

• Launched two new important programs to build critical ties with large solar manufacturers to capitalise on the synergies between our world class solar PV research and China's PV manufacturing prowess.

ACAP's mission, backed by ARENA

In 2016, electricity from solar farms funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) cost between AUD $140 and$178 per megawatt hour (MWh). Through innovation and investment, this fell to around $40/MWh by 2024 (CSIRO, 2024). ARENA now aims for solar to reach $20/MWh. At that price, solar can unlock massive opportunities for green industry and long-term economic growth.

To help meet this goal, in 2022 ARENA extended funding to the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), Australia’s national solar research centre. Established in 2013 and led by UNSW, ACAP now includes ANU, CSIRO, the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the University of Queensland, and the University of Sydney.

ACAP’s mission is to improve solar cell performance and cut costs across the cell and module supply chain. This includes:

• Boosting power conversion efficiency: By adding a second material layer to the standard silicon cell, tandem solar cells can harness more sunlight and deliver efficiencies over 30%.

• Discovering the best materials and structures: ACAP researchers are exploring materials and their combinations that maximise energy output while remaining durable and scalable.

• Ensuring durability and reliability: Future technologies must match today’s long lifespans and quality.

• Driving down manufacturing costs: Research is tightly linked with industry to scale up innovation cost-effectively.

• Planning for sustainability: Research is addressing sustainable material use and strategies for recycling or repurposing solar modules at end-of-life.

While Australia has been a research leader for 50 years, the commercial solar industry is only about 20 years old. There is plenty of room to improve performance and lower costs even further.

Two years into its second phase of research, supported by ARENA and industry partners, ACAP continues to drive the development of ultra low-cost solar. This work will be critical in enabling a green industrial future. It also positions Australia as a global leader in the clean energy transition.

We hope you enjoy reading this inspiring selection of some of our recent successes.

Discover some of ACAP's biggest success stories from the first years (2022-2025) of ACAP 2.0.