Australian solar scientist wins million-euro technology prize in Finland

Australian solar scientist wins million-euro technology prize in Finland
October 26, 2022, 10:00 am

Scientia Professor Martin Green was awarded the Millennium Technology Prize for his leadership in the development of the PERC solar cell - the world's most efficient solar cell technology, accounting for over 91% of worldwide production in 2021. Photo: Anna Kucera

A one-million-euro technology prize has been awarded to an Australian professor, for an invention that has transformed the production of solar energy, the Xinhua reported.

Scientia Professor Martin Green is the first Australian to win the prestigious 2022 Millennium Technology Prize.

Professor Green won the prize for his for his leadership in the development of the Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) – the world’s most commercially viable and efficient silicon solar cell technology.

Presented by Technology Academy Finland, the biennial prize highlights the impact of science and innovation on society and is worth 1 million euros.

The PERC has become the most commercially viable and efficient silicon solar cell technology used in solar panels, and for large-scale electricity production. It accounts for almost 90 percent of the global solar cell market.

The PERC has helped increase the conversion efficiency of standard solar cells by over 50 percent in relative terms, from 16.5 percent in the early 1980s to 25 percent in the early 2000s.

Australian Professor Martin Green won the prize for his for his leadership in the development of the Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) – the world’s most commercially viable and efficient silicon solar cell technology - Photo. Pixabay

The innovation has greatly reduced the cost of using solar panels, making solar energy more affordable than fossil-based alternatives. PERCs mean homes do not need to be connected to the grid to receive energy supply, which is helpful for remote communities.

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Prof. Green said he was honoured to receive the prestigious prize. “The Millennium Prize not only recognises my contribution to photovoltaics [the conversion of light into electrical power], but also the achievements of my students and research colleagues at UNSW, as well as those of the broader photovoltaic (PV) research and commercial community.”

“I believe the Prize will increase my credibility as a spokesperson for what needs to be done to address climate change.”

“We need to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy to sustain the trajectory of human civilisation on our shared planet.”

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“The pace of change is accelerating and the world will shift to solar and wind energy over the coming decade. I believe a huge transformation of historic significance is underway.”

The Millennium Technology Prize, awarded once every two years, was created by the Finnish government in 2002 to honor individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to the fields of science and technology, and particularly to highlight innovations that enrich everyday life.

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