Research & Development
Australia is home to some of the world’s leading solar research institutions, including UNSW and ANU, which have pioneered advances in PV efficiency and sustainable energy systems. This category reports on cutting-edge R&D in solar cell technology, materials science, energy storage, hydrogen production, and system integration. It also covers government and industry-funded innovation programs, pilot projects, and university spin-offs. As Australia works toward a decarbonised future, research and innovation remain critical to overcoming technical, environmental, and economic challenges in solar deployment at scale.
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Latest News
AVL teams with US company to test Australian vanadium for heavy-duty batteries
Australian Vanadium Limited has teamed with United States-headquartered battery technology company Tyfast Energy to evaluate Australian vanadium for use in fast-charging lithium-ion batteries targeting mining, trucking, construction and defence applications.
Oct 12, 2026
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Researchers reduce losses in organic solar cells by restricting emission angle
Spanish researchers have developed an optical cavity that reduces Boltzmann losses in organic solar cells by restricting photon emission angles. The approach could help push single-junction solar cell efficiencies beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit.
Mixed self-assembled monolayer enables 18.88% efficiency in 5.2 cm² inverted perovskite solar cell
Researchers in India have developed an inverted perovskite solar cell based on a mixed self-assembled monolayer that improves film quality, charge transport, and device stability. The cell achieved an efficiency of 18.88% on an active area of 5.2 cm², with a relative efficiency loss of only about 7% compared with smaller devices.
Perovskite solar cell based on Prussian blue achieves 26.9% efficiency
Researchers have used Prussian Blue nanoparticles to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells, achieving efficiencies of up to 26.9%. The approach also enabled the fabrication of large-area modules with certified efficiencies of 22.9% and promising results in accelerated ageing and outdoor stability tests.
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All Research & Development news
Canberra CBD rooftops could host at least 46 MW of solar PV
Spatial analysis of solar potential shows that at least a third of the rooftops in the central business district of Canberra could host solar panels, thus saving on the land needed to provide a substantial proportion of city’s power needs with PV.
Singaporean solar researchers reach 21.5% efficiency on MonoPoly cell technology, presents rival to PERC
The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) announced a new efficiency milestone, achieving 21.5% average cell efficiency for its fully screen printed bifacial silicon technology. According to SERIS, the milestone was achieved at pilot-scale production using commercially available wafers
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CRC-P awards $8.34 million for three green projects
Under the Cooperative Research Center Program 4th Selection Round, the Australian Federal Government will extend a grant for a smart home energy management system. Other awarded green projects involve an energy storage technology alternative for lithium-ion batteries and innovative generation of low cost, zero-emission, reliable electricity.
ARENA grants $6 million to Greatcell to advance perovskites
A funding agreement has been signed between Australian solar cell producer Greatcell and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, which pledged to allocate $6 million to underpin commercial development of perovskite solar cells.
Dec 12, 2017
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Australia’s carbon emissions target within reach at zero net cost
Given the current pace of installation of new wind and solar power facilities, Australia’s commitments to carbon reduction made at the COP21 climate conference in Paris can be met at zero net cost, shows a new study by Australian National University.
Solliance hits new perovskite milestone
European research group Solliance has announced new conversion efficiencies of 13.5% (cell) and 12.2% (module) for its perovskite based PV technology. The group states that the records were achieved in a factory setting, using an industrially scalable roll to roll process.
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