This desktop study examines the flow-on benefits of Australian solar photovoltaics (PV) research, which is already estimated to have generated more than $8 billion.
Report extract
Past Australian photovoltaic (PV) research has disproportionately impacted the development of the global PV industry, with the flow-on benefits to Australia estimated as well over $8 billion.
The highest impact outcome of past Australian PV research likely arises from the training of Australian researchers and engineers responsible for the founding and explosive growth of the PV industry in China. Without this, the dramatic global reduction in PV prices seen over recent years would have being delayed by at least three years and possibly indefinitely. Flow-on benefits to Australia arise from both direct contributions to national wealth and also from the societal benefits of the earlier local deployment of substantial PV capacity than otherwise would have occurred.
One significant $1.4bn contribution to national wealth is estimated from the realization of the value of shareholdings and options, in what became billion dollar companies, held by the dozen or so Australians key to the founding and development of the Chinese PV manufacturing industry.
