The Australian PV Institute (APVI) is embarking on a $1.12 million research project called ‘Silicon to Solar,’ focusing on domestic manufacturing, diversified supply chains, and necessary policy measures. The Australian Federal Government has allocated a grant of $541,640 to support this research endeavour.
The Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) has joined as a study partner, contributing extensive expertise in solar PV research. Other industry partners participating in the study include 5B, AGL, Aspiradac, Energus, Siemens, SunDrive, and Tindo Solar.
As part of this study, APVI will collaborate closely with industry stakeholders to identify technical, commercial, regulatory, and social barriers hindering increased domestic production. With solar energy’s growing contribution to Australia’s electricity mix, challenges and bottlenecks in global PV supply chains pose a heightened strategic risk to the country.
The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) Integrated System Plan envisions a need for 120 GW of installed solar capacity in Australia by 2050, representing a four-fold increase from current capacity. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has outlined a scenario in which over 1,000 GW of installed capacity is required to realize the renewable energy superpower vision. ARENA emphasizes the necessity of robust and reliable supply chains to achieve this significant increase in solar capacity.
Australia has the potential to play a more substantial role in solar PV manufacturing, given its status as a producer of many necessary raw materials and its hub of technical expertise. ARENA CEO Darren Miller stressed that this study will pave the way for more secure solar supply chains as the industry experiences significant growth.
“Low-cost solar generation will be the foundation stone of Australia’s net-zero economy, so it’s vital that we have reliable supply chains,” said Mr Miller. “With ARENA’s support, APVI will explore ways to secure the supply of inputs for solar panels and capitalize on domestic manufacturing opportunities.”
Dr. Muriel Watt, APVI Project Manager, highlighted Australia’s positive relationships with PV manufacturers worldwide and the country’s eagerness to develop diverse and sustainable supply chains to meet global and Australian demand.
ARENA has demonstrated its commitment to Australia’s pioneering research in the sector by providing ACAP with $129 million in support over the last decade. Additionally, ARENA has released a white paper outlining how ultra-low-cost solar can unlock Australia’s potential as a renewable energy superpower.