Photovoltaics research at ANU is at the global cutting edge, spanning the entire spectrum of solar electricity technologies—from solar forecasting, to fabricating high-efficiency PV cells, to integrating renewables with storage capacity into the grid.

Our solar laboratories support about 80 staff and students with facilities that enable the fabrication and characterisation of high-efficiency silicon and perovskite solar cells. We also maintain tools for state-of-the-art laser processing, industrial solar cell manufacturing and rapid-throughput characterisation.

Our world-leading silicon solar cell research includes advanced defect characterisation, surface passivation optoelectronics and the manufacturing of high-efficiency back-contact solar cells. We have invented and continue to advance thin, lightweight and flexible Sliver™ solar cells, and we are developing micro-concentrator PV-thermal and solar cooling systems in collaboration with industry. We are also pioneering the exploration of nanostructures for photovoltaics, tandem silicon-perovskite solar cells and advanced PV optics.

We are supported with generous research funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and a number of international industrial partners to make the next generation of renewable energy a reality.

Explore our available student research projects below and if you’d like to discuss opportunities for collaboration or funding, please email us.