The UNSW Solar Industrial Research Facility (SIRF), part of the Torch Innovation Precinct at UNSW, hosts a world-class manufacturing facility that enables the development of UNSW's silicon solar cell technologies. Globally over 90% of all solar modules produced today are based on UNSW technology. UNSW also funds educational programs to develop solar systems in Fiji in partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), and the University of the South Pacific (USP).
With its aim to accelerate the commercialisation of photovoltaic research, completed in 2011, SIRF is a photovoltaic pilot production line located at the UNSW. It’s also a showcase facility for solar cell research and development, and a key educational asset for training the future leaders of the photovoltaics industry.
This world-class, $16 million turnkey pilot line manufacturing facility enables the development of UNSW’s silicon solar cell technologies from laboratory processes to factory-ready industrial processes. Prototype manufacturing equipment incorporating the new technology is developed, and the new process is run on the on the pilot production line. This allows researchers to identify and fix problems associated with real manufacturing as they are using actual manufacturing equipment.
SIRF works closely with industry partners to develop the prototypes, and once complete, their partners offer these products to the industry, providing the necessary scale and support needed for large manufacturing operations. In conjunction with this, UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering (SPREE) collaborates with cell manufacturers to educate and incorporate the technology on their cell lines, providing ready-made demand for the new products.
