Australia and China continue to strengthen their partnership in solar energy technology, driving significant advances in photovoltaic (PV) innovation and deployment that support the global transition to renewable energy. This collaboration, built on decades of shared research and industrial cooperation, is helping Australia scale up its solar capacity, while benefiting from China's manufacturing expertise.

At the heart of this partnership is the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, which pioneered key PV technologies. Ned Ekins-Daukes, head of UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, highlighted the university’s early breakthroughs, noting that several generations of Chinese students have studied at UNSW and carried concepts back to China. The work of award-winning scientist Martin Green, who developed advanced solar cells in the 1980s, laid the foundation for over 90 percent of the world’s silicon-based solar module production, the university said.

Shi Zhengrong, one of Green’s doctoral students, established China’s first commercial low-cost solar cell manufacturing firm, contributing to the rapid expansion and cost reduction of solar technology in China over the past two decades. According to Ekins-Daukes, Chinese engineers have been instrumental in applying these technologies at scale through integrated supply chains and automation, particularly robotic manufacturing of silicon panels.

Australia benefits from China's manufacturing strengths and access to low-cost, high-quality solar equipment. The country leads globally in per capita rooftop solar uptake, with nearly 255,000 new installations last year and 4.3 million households now equipped with solar systems, according to the Clean Energy Council. Rooftop solar energy accounted for 14.2 percent of Australia's total electricity generation in the latter half of 2025, nearly doubling the 2020 figure.

Government and industry representatives highlighted these developments during the 64th Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition in Sydney in early May. Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen described 2025 as a pivotal year when renewables overtook coal, with solar driving the majority of new clean energy demand. Andrew Forrest, chairman of mining company Fortescue Metals Group, called for accelerated adoption of green technologies in resource sectors traditionally reliant on diesel, noting supply risks amid global geopolitical tensions.

The conference also emphasized the smart energy partnership between Australia and China. John Grimes, chief executive of Australia’s Smart Energy Council, pointed to strong ties between Australian researchers and Chinese engineers and investors as critical for advancing low-cost, effective solar solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. Climate Energy Finance founder Tim Buckley stressed the importance of learning from China’s robotic manufacturing capabilities to overcome Australia’s high labor costs.

Chinese PV companies see ample opportunity in the Australian market. Dorothy Zhou, director at Sunpro Asia, cited stable investment conditions fueled by diverse sectors such as agriculture and resources. Jiangsu Energy Storage Industry Association executive secretary-general Zhu Sha outlined plans for expanding Chinese energy storage products focused on commercial, industrial, and grid-scale applications, while also pursuing broader international growth.

Beyond photovoltaics, Australia-China collaboration is extending into emerging green technologies including hydrogen, fertilizer, and steel production. Thomas Gao, senior manager with New South Wales’ Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, noted ongoing efforts to commercialize research by linking academia, government, and industry.

At the Sydney event, UNSW showcased novel innovations such as a photoluminescence imaging system that uses drones to inspect large solar farms, detecting panel defects to improve maintenance. Professor Thorsten Trupke explained that this technology relies on advanced drones sourced from China, underscoring the depth of the bilateral collaboration in cutting-edge renewable energy research.

This evolving partnership leverages the complementary strengths of Australian innovation and Chinese manufacturing scale to support a greener energy future, with both countries poised to continue cooperating in the decades ahead.