solar suppliers – What would it take to become a significant producer and supplier of solar panels given that Australia is a center for solar PV knowledge and a producer of numerous essential raw materials?
How can Australia lower industry risks related to solar photovoltaics?
Supported by a $541,640 ARENA grant to the Australian PV Institute (APVI), the research will look at ways to increase Australian manufacturing and diversify supply chains, as well as the possibilities for legislation that will help get there. [solar suppliers]
Australia is already at the forefront of the world’s solar PV research and development. The University of New South Wales designed and developed the PERC solar cell, a crucial component of solar panel technology. The basis of about 80% of solar PV cells produced today is PERC technology.
For thirty of the last forty years, researchers from Australia have held the global record for silicon solar cell efficiency for solar suppliers.
Furthermore, a research team at the Australian National University supported by ARENA funding announced in March 2023 that it had achieved a noteworthy aim of 30% solar cell efficiency. Thanks to the team’s innovative technologies, production and operating costs may be reduced.
Numerous raw minerals required to produce solar panels are also found in reserves in Australia.
For example, exceptionally pure quartz is the starting point for high-quality silicon, which is needed for solar panels. Currently, the majority of the high-purity quartz used worldwide comes from a single quartz source in North Carolina, US. There are clear supply risks in that scenario.
A Route to a Solar Suppliers Supply That is More Secure
As a study partner, the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) has committed, contributing a wealth of experience in solar PV research. The study also includes 5B, AGL, Aspiradac, Energus, Siemens, SunDrive, and Tindo Solar as industrial partners. [solar suppliers]
As the solar sector grows significantly, the study will offer a way forward for safer supply chains, according to ARENA CEO Darren Miller.
“Australia’s net zero economy will be built on low-cost solar generation, so dependable supply chains are essential,” Mr. Miller stated.
“APVI will explore strategies to safeguard our supply of solar panel inputs and identify opportunities to benefit from domestic manufacturing with ARENA’s support.”
“Australia has good working relationships with PV manufacturers across the world and is keen to develop diverse and sustainable supply chains as global and Australian demand increases,” stated Dr. Muriel Watt, project manager for APVI.
Additionally, ARENA has released a white paper outlining how Australia can become a renewable energy superpower by utilising ultra-low-cost solar.
The paper’s main goals are to increase the importance of solar PV in Australia’s national priorities and to outline, for government, business, and the general public in Australia, the major obstacles and areas for innovation in ultra-low-cost solar technology.
In addition, 13 solar PV research projects have received $41.5 million from ARENA in funding in an effort to advance the field of ultra-low cost solar technology.
