PVTIME – The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has unveiled its list of selected projects for next-generation photovoltaic research, which was originally announced on 31 August 2026. This represents the organisation’s largest ever single investment in solar PV research and development. The funding pool totals AU$105.6 million, having been expanded from an initial AU$60 million allocation following the receipt of high-quality project submissions.
Twenty R&D initiatives have secured grant support under the ultra-low-cost solar research round. The programme aims to achieve lower levelised cost of electricity outcomes for utility-scale solar assets, in line with ARENA’s 30-30-30 strategic vision for 2030. This framework seeks to achieve module efficiency of 30%, installed solar costs of 30 cents per watt and an LCOE below AU$20 per MWh.
Supported research covers two core workstreams. These span advanced solar cell and module innovation, as well as balance-of-system hardware, and improvements to the operational and maintenance technology of large-scale solar installations.
 has unveiled its list of selected projects for next-generation photovoltaic research, which was originally announced on 31 August 2026. This represents the…){kind=link}