The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) hosted its ultra low-cost solar event at the 2024 Conference of the Parties (COP29) United Nations climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, focusing on Australia’s efforts to accelerate solar uptake by reducing solar costs and automating installation.
ARENA Strategy Director, Elicia Cantelo, kicked off the event by summarising the increase in the installation rate of solar PV over the last 20 years, and ARENA’s vision for ultra low-cost solar: 30 per cent solar module efficiency and cost reductions of two-thirds by 2030, as well as a ten-fold increase in installation rates between 2030 and 2050.
ARENA featured experts on the panel including US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Director, Dr Martin Keller, Brazilian Solar Photovoltaic Energy Association (ABSOLAR) CEO, Dr Rodrigo Sauaia, and Climate Connect Managing Director and proud First Nations woman, Georgia Holt.
Dr Sauaia shared his own vision of automating solar deployment to drive costs lower – likening high levels of automation to building an “industrial line in open sky.”
Dr Keller emphasised the importance of partnerships between researchers and industry to accelerate the commercialisation of new innovations.
Ms Cantelo said ARENA also discussed the importance of social licence for solar adoption. She said that unlike other forms of power generation, solar has a unique advantage – people are familiar with rooftop solar, and this familiarity leads to a lower barrier to adoption. In contrast, wind and other technologies still face significant public resistance in many regions.
On the topic of First Nations engagement and inclusion, Ms Holt highlighted the need for early, genuine engagement, transparent communication, equitable revenue sharing and other value for local communities such as training and employment to build community capacity and create generational change. She said that these principles should be non-negotiable when deploying solar in Indigenous lands and other regional communities.
Ms Cantelo said COP29 has been a fantastic opportunity to share ARENA’s work and learn from other regions.
“The insights and connections we’ve gained will no doubt help inform future strategy development and program design,” Ms Cantelo said.
“COP has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of solar and the need for continued innovation, investment, and collaboration to meet our climate goals.”
