Media Releases

$83 million in funding to shed light on the next generation of solar technologies (PDF 196KB) – 13 December 2012
Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP, today announced a significant boost for solar research with more than $83 million for collaborative projects between Australian and United States researchers.

New Skills Development Program places announced (PDF 256KB) – 20 November 2012
Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP, has announced almost $3.3 million in funding for early and mid career researchers under ASI's Skills Development Program.

Release of one minute solar data to help accelerate solar deployment (PDF 250KB) – 27 August 2012
Solar researchers and companies around the world  now have access to a significant new solar data resource to help them develop large scale projects.

Solar Powering Daly River (PDF 165KB) – 30 July 2012
The Daly River community in the Northern Territory will be less reliant on diesel thanks to a new project targeted at increasing solar penetration in remote towns and communities.

Next generation solar researchers shine in 3 minute Solar Thesis Challenge (PDF 166KB) – 16 July 2012
A presentation about making low-cost silicon solar cells has won the judges’ and audience’s vote at the Australian Solar Institute’s 3 minute Solar Thesis Challenge.

A roadmap for concentrating solar power in Australia (PDF 130KB) – 6 June 2012
A new report finds concentrating solar power could provide about 30 per cent of Australia’s total current electricity generation capacity with only modest extensions to the national electricity grid, if forecast cost reductions are achieved. The report, Realising the Potential of Concentrating Solar Power in Australia, was commissioned by the Australian Solar Institute (ASI) to accelerate the technology’s development in Australia.

Australian solar research wins Collaborative Innovation Award (PDF 124KB) – 16 May 2012
Leading solar researchers at the University of New South Wales received recognition tonight for their Pluto solar cell technology, which is being manufactured for use on rooftops and other solar applications around the world.

Australian and German researchers turn red into yellow for solar breakthrough (PDF 228KB) – 18 April 2012
Low cost solar cells suitable for rooftop panels could reach a record breaking 40 per cent efficiency following an early stage breakthrough by a University of Sydney researcher and his German partners.

Australian Solar Institute provides boost for solar innovation in Australia (PDF 203KB) – 23 March 2012
The Australian solar industry received a boost today with the announcement of close to $12 million Australian Solar Institute (ASI) Round 3 funding to accelerate solar energy technology development. 
The funding was announced by Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP during a visit to Silanna Semiconductor Pty Ltd. in Sydney, which was a successful recipient of ASI funding in 2010. 

United States and Australia partner on solar energy innovation (PDF 322KB)– 17 November 2011
Over $32 million in funding for collaborative United States-Australia solar research projects, was announced by the Governments of Australia and the United States of America on the occasion of the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Australia on 16 November 2011.

Launch of $9.5 million project to create zero emission homes and offices (PDF 201KB)– 8 August 2011
Australia is set to remain at the forefront of global solar innovation with the country’s leading researchers working with industry on a project to make solar energy more competitive for consumers. The Australian Solar Institute today joined the Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP at the Australian National University for the launch of the $9.5 million project, supported by a $3.2 million ASI grant.  

—- Archived media releases