UNSW and ACAP win grant to build ties between emerging solar PV leaders in China and Australia

UNSW has been awarded a $500,000 grant to foster collaboration among rising solar and renewable energy technology innovators from Australia and China.

The grant from the National Foundation for Australia-China Relationships (NFACR) will fund the Empowering Emerging Leaders in Clean Energy Program, a two-year program of workshops and exchanges, providing opportunities for at least 50 young professionals from both countries to gain diverse experiences and build valuable connections.

ACAP’s founder Scientia Professor Martin Green said, “The solar industry as we know it today was born out of a close collaboration between my research group at UNSW and Chinese solar manufacturing company Suntech, which was built by one of my earliest PhD students, Dr Zhengrong Shi.

"Building trust and understanding between Australian and Chinese solar researchers and manufacturers is essential to building a clean energy future. This program will help our talented young innovators bridge differences, strengthen partnerships and open opportunities."

Program lead Dr Jessica Yajie Jiang said, “Innovation and technology development in solar is well resourced, but there are no funds targeting opportunities in emerging leadership development, promoting Australian excellence or in relationship development.”

"This grant is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the ties between Australia and China in this critical field."

Workshops and training sessions will focus on advanced solar technologies and industry practices, facilitating knowledge transfer and skill development.

Three exchange programs each year will provide hands on experience and insights into each country’s advanced technologies and industrial practices. Participants will be exposed to different settings and will collaborate on shared challenges.

The Program will establish new formal partnerships between Australian and Chinese research institutions and industry leaders. Partnerships will be aimed at collaborative research, technology development and ongoing professional exchanges in clean energy.

"Australia and China have complementary strengths when it comes to renewable energy," said Dr. Jiang. "Australia's world-class solar PV research combined with China's PV manufacturing prowess creates immense potential for joint progress. This grant will help us capitalise on those synergies."

Dr. Jiang grew up in China and did her PhD at UNSW where she is now a Senior Research Fellow at UNSW SPREE, and Manager of the ACAP Industry Consortium.

Program lead Dr Jessica Yajie Jiang is excited about the opportunities that will come from bringing rising leaders in solar from Australia and China together. She is seen here (at far left) at the inauguration of the ACAP Industry Consortium with representatives of major Chinese solar manufacturers and Professors Martin Green and Renate Egan.

She said, “I’m excited that we’re investing in a platform for a new generation of young innovators that will open doors and create opportunities to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.”

Through UNSW and ACAP, the NFACR funding leverages 20 years of active engagement in education, research and collaboration between Australian universities and Chinese industry as the solar industry grew.

The Program will connect participants with opportunities through UNSW and ACAP’s China-based PV alumni network of over 700 active participants who are engaged in academia, industry and government.

A gathering of some of the China-based alumni of UNSW SPREE in Shanghai, many of whom hold senior positions with global solar manufacturing giants including Trina Solar, Longi, Canadian Solar, Huasun, Sunman and Aiko. The NFACR funded program will leverage these valuable ties that have been built over 20 years of UNSW SPREE.

The grant is one of 29 grants the NFACR is providing to support cooperation and engagement between the people of Australia and China, reflecting the Australian Government's commitment to deepening Australia-China ties across various sectors.