http://www.energyefficiencynews.com <p>The AUD$100 million <a href="http://www.ret.gov.au/energy/energy%20programs/energy_innovation_fund/australian_solar_insitute/Pages/AustralianSolarInstitute.aspx" rel="external">Australian Solar Institute</a> has been launched by Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson.</p> <p>The Institute, at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, News South Wales, will pursue research in photovoltaics and concentrating solar thermal technologies, aiming to make them more cost competitive.</p> <p>&ldquo;The Government believes cost competitiveness is achievable and that solar power is a commercially viable energy option for the Australian community,&rdquo; said Ferguson.</p> <p>Initially the Australian Government is giving the Institute AUD$15 million to fund three projects:</p> <ul> <li>AUD$5 million crystalline silicon pilot line at the University of New South Wales:</li> <li>AUD$5 million solar thermal power at CSIRO in Newcastle;</li> <li>AUD$5 million solar research facility at the Australian National University in Canberra.</li> </ul> <p>For further information:<br /> <a href="http://www.ret.gov.au/energy/energy%20programs/energy_innovation_fund/australian_solar_insitute/Pages/AustralianSolarInstitute.aspx" rel="external">www.ret.gov.au/energy/energy%20programs/energy_innovation_fund/australian_solar_insitute/Pages/AustralianSolarInstitute.aspx</a></p> http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/1804/ 2009-01-27T00:00:00-00:00 Renewables, solar power, research & development, Australian Solar Institute, ROW policy, Australia