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AUSTRALIAN CENTRE for

ADVANCED PHOTOVOLTAICS

Industry Partnerships

Partnering with ACAP

 

 

Industry looks to ACAP for over-the-horizon technology, with deep analysis of current and emerging technologies and innovation in materials, processes, and equipment.

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Global solar companies, small start-ups, governments and research institutes from Australia and across the world are partnering with ACAP for mutually beneficial outcomes.

 

Partnerships generally fall into one of two categories, or sometimes both:

 

ACAP Industry Consortium Partnerships 

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  • The Partner enjoys exclusive research and technology updates, and opportunities for capacity growth and engagement, while committing funding that supports ACAP PhD Fellowships.
     

ACAP Research Partnerships

 

  • The Partner and ACAP collaborate on a research project that advances progress towards ACAP’s goals and those of the Partner. Contributions can be in-kind or financial, or both, and currently range from small to multi-million dollar projects.

 

All ACAP Partners enjoy the benefits of association with Australia’s national solar research centre of excellence.

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News about current ACAP Partnerships
Why choose to partner with the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics?

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Scaling up solar installation and innovating to lower the cost of solar energy production is crucial to decarbonising Australia and the world’s economies.

 

ACAP Centre Director, Renate Egan says, “With energy from photovoltaics expected to deliver over 50% of the world’s electricity needs by 2050, solar is going to be a big part of our energy future. We’re only just beginning.”

 

ACAP is committed to long-term PV research, fostering commercial outcomes, and building international collaborations to drive the global solar industry forward.

 

With ongoing funding by ARENA and support from our member institutes, ACAP has a research horizon to 2030 and is equipped with state-of-the art research facilities.

 

ACAP’s overarching goal is to deliver ultra-low-cost solar; targeting 30% solar cell efficiencies and 30c/Wp capital costs at scale for all Australians by 2030. The research program is focused on increased solar module efficiency, longer operating lifetimes and improved in-field performance – while maintaining downward pressure on costs.

 

Researchers at ACAP's member institutions have led the world in solar PV development, notably with the PERC cell, and they’ve educated and trained leading PV innovators and industrialists.

 

ACAP’s highly regarded member institutions are UNSW, ANU, CSIRO, University of Melbourne, Monash University, University of Queensland and University of Sydney.

What is the ACAP Industry Consortium?

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In June 2024, the ACAP Industry Consortium was launched to connect leading industry players with world class research opportunities, teaching and graduate study programs, and graduates.

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The Consortium enables Australia’s leading PV researchers to stay engaged and informed about industry progress and current and future challenges. Connections are made through regular communications, workshops, scholarship support, student internship opportunities and events.

 

Platinum, Gold and Silver Industry Consortium Partnerships

 

There are three tiers of partnerships available through the ACAP Consortium.

 

  • Platinum Partnerships are engaged with ACAP on multi-million-dollar projects.

  • Gold Partnerships are by invitation to commit USD$100,000 per year, for three years (paid upfront).

  • Silver Partnerships commit US$75,000 per year.

 

Platinum and Gold Partners will be invited by ACAP’s leadership team to an annual hosted visit at UNSW, and to exclusive ACAP events at international conferences such as SNEC, PVSEC and EUPVSEC.

What are the benefits of an ACAP Industry Consortium Partnership?

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ACAP Partners receive elite-level technology updates, attend VIP events and have access to premium talent.
 

  • Regular Executive Level updates on research and technology development

  • Insights into emerging research and technology developments

  • Early engagement on future Research Project opportunities

  • Support recruitment drives at UNSW (up to one per year)

  • Assistance in coordinating student internships at the Partner (up to one per year)

  • Additional opportunities, to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

  • Company acknowledgement on ACAP publications, reports and presentations.

  • Hosted visits to UNSW (up to one per year)

 

Additional benefits for Platinum and Gold Partners include: 
 

  • One PhD Fellowship allocation per Partner per three-year commitment

  • Invitations to attend ACAP workshops and events at UNSW and at international conferences including SNEC, PVSEC and EUPVSEC

 

All Consortium Industry Partners will collaborate with ACAP through:

  • contributing financially to the ACAP Industry Consortium.

  • the opportunity to participate in ACAP International Advisory Committee.

 

For more information about the ACAP Industry Consortium, please contact ACAP’s Executive Director Renate Egan acap@unsw.edu.au

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Which large solar companies have joined the ACAP Industry Consortium?

 

Founding industry partners of the ACAP Industry Consortium include AIKO Solar and JA Solar. 

 

Canadian Solar, Huasun, LONGI Solar, Trina Solar and Sunman have also signed up to an expression of interest.

 

Discussions are in progress with several other industry partners from Australia, India and China to join this important initiative.

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BELOW: The inaugural ACAP Industry Consortium signing event, held during the SNEC solar conference in Shanghai, July 2024.

 

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ACAP Research Partnerships

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In addition to ACAP Industry Consortium Partnerships, the Centre also forms Research Partnerships with companies, institutes and organisations to support research on a complex PV industry or technology challenge.

 

The Partner may provide in-kind support such as industry insights, personnel, the use of facilities or technology, or financial support, or a combination of these.

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Opportunities provided by ACAP to the Partner will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

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Please email acap@unsw.edu.au for more information.

© 2024 Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics

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