Australian and US photovoltaic research centres are combining forces to develop the next generation of solar technologies.

The US-Australia Strategic Research Initiative in Photovoltaics is to be formed with input from CSIRO, five Australian universities, 12 international institutions, four industry partners and three US laboratories. Subject to milestones, the consortium is eligible for up to $33 million in Australian Solar Institute funding over eight years.

The domestic arm, the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) is led by Professor Martin Green of the University of New South Wales and is funded by the Australian Solar Institute.