At the announcement of the funding, Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said "From a CSIRO project looking at how to reduce peak electricity grid demand by ‘turning on’ a guaranteed solar driven air conditioner rather than a conventional air conditioner, to a trial by Chromasun Pty Ltd of an advanced rooftop product to simultaneously provide electricity and hot water, the projects reflect Australia’s excellent track record in developing game-changing solar technology."

Mr Ferguson also announced the availability of 11 new scholarships to PhD students and seven Postdoctoral Fellowships. The Australian Solar Institute (ASI) will provide PhD Scholarships of up to $40,000 per annum for three years and Postdoctoral Fellowships of up to three years’ salary to successful recipients.

ASI is accepting PhD Scholarship and Postdoctoral Fellowship applications until 29 August 2012. Mr Ferguson also welcomed ASI's contribution of more than $2 million to five projects under the Australia-Germany Collaborative Solar Research and Development Program.

“Australia and Germany are leaders in solar research and by working together we can leverage our efforts to accelerate the commercialisation of solar technologies,” he said.


www.australiansolarinstitute.com.au