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

Australian solar scientist wins million-euro technology prize in Finland

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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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”