'Major blow' looms for top Sydney solar research unit as funds wither
The future of a leading research centre whose designs power $50 billion in solar systems globally is at risk because of the looming demise of the federal government agency that funds it.
Richard Corkish, a senior lecturer at the University of NSW's School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, said as much as 80 per cent of his section's money is provided by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) which is due to run out of funds in 2022.
Richard Corkish, a senior lecturer at UNSW's world-renowned solar PV research school, says most of the centre's funding could soon dry up.Credit:Louis Douvis
“We’ll get significantly smaller unless something positive comes along," said Dr Corkish, who is also chief operating officer of the UNSW-based Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics.
“It’s a major blow for us.”
His school has already begun turning away prospective PhD students who would otherwise have contributed to multiple lines of scientific inquiry aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of solar cells, their integration into power networks and other renewable energy developments.
UNSW is not alone in scrambling for cash as many institutions battle the financial impact from the coronavirus.
Still, even the $20 million its photovoltaic school received in 2019 for research from ARENA is partly shared with other solar researchers such as at the Australian National University and Monash. And it is a tiny fraction of the $130 billion the Morrison government has pledged to help Australia's economy weather the pandemic.
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the government recognised "the importance of supporting the development and deployment of clean energy technologies", adding ARENA had provided $1.58 billion in support for 500 projects.
"ARENA’s funding is guaranteed until 2022 and the government has always said that ARENA’s funding will be addressed in the most appropriate budget context," Mr Taylor said.
UNSW's Professor Martin Green, a solar energy pioneer, holds the world's first 23 per cent efficient solar module developed back in 1999. (Photograph from December 2017.)Credit:Ben Rushton
Dr Corkish said while researchers were very grateful for the funding so far, it was vital for the centre's pedigree and future to be retained.
From the mid-1980s, UNSW's researchers regularly set world records for how much electricity could be generated by silicon-based photovoltaic cells.
It developed so-called passivated emitter and rear designs that alone have reportedly notched module sales of $50 billion and avoided about 1 per cent of annual global emissions.
Dr Corkish said without such advances the 2015 Paris climate accord might not have happened. World leaders "would have said, 'it’s terrible but what are we going to do, cripple our economies?’"
“We played a key part in creating the conditions [for Paris] but there seems to be a belief that the job is done, the story is over,” he said.
Research includes treating low quality silicon so it performs better, reducing the pace of cell degradation to extend its life, improving solar and wind forecasting, and boosting waste recycling.
Mark Butler, Labor's climate spokesman, said "letting ARENA’s resourcing lapse is a devastating self-inflicted wound for Australia’s clean energy future that exposes the Liberals anti-renewable and anti-climate action ideology".
"Scott Morrison should be looking for a COVID-19 recovery plan which brings forward investment in new renewable projects which would create tens of thousands of new jobs, stimulate regional economies, and deliver cheaper power prices," Mr Butler said.