Australia's ULC Solar Target Could Enable 2,000 GW Market and 1,000 TWh Domestic Supply

Research from ACAP at ANU and UNSW highlights that ultra-low-cost solar could support 1,000 TWh/year for domestic use and 2,600 TWh/year for export, creating a 2,000 GW solar market in Australia by 2030. The ARENA 30-30-30 vision aims for 30% solar module efficiency and $0.30 per watt installation cost. The study shows potential for significant cost reductions in heavy industry and green commodity production.

Published Mar 27, 2026

Researchers from the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) at ANU and UNSW have determined that ultra-low-cost (ULC) solar could enable a 2,000 GW solar market in Australia. Their analysis indicates that ULC solar can deliver 1,000 TWh/year for domestic use and 2,600 TWh/year for export, aligning with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency's (ARENA) 30-30-30 vision of achieving 30% solar efficiency and $0.30 per watt costs by 2030.

AI-curated by Theia

The modeling suggests that ULC solar can enhance the economics of transitioning to a fully renewable energy system, supporting decarbonization and competitive production of green metals. The project is led by ANU's Kylie Catchpole and Andrew Blakers, with contributions from UNSW.