A $100 million challenge has been launched to reduce costs and expand the Australian solar industry. 

The Solar ScaleUp Challenge by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), seek to stimulate innovation in solar farm deployment and operation.

Running for eight weeks, the scheme invites participation from stakeholders including innovators, customers, financiers, and professionals involved in solar construction, operation, and maintenance. 

Participants can submit their ideas and projects through an online platform, with the opportunity to receive grants from the funding pool if shortlisted.

“The modern solar panel is in effect an Australian invention, developed at the University of New South Wales,” says Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen/

“This is Australian technology, and we want to see more of the breakthroughs in technology happen here.”

The government’s vision for the Solar ScaleUp Challenge includes lowering the installation cost of solar projects to 30 cents per watt and reducing electricity costs to below $20 per megawatt-hour by 2030. 

ARENA has partnered with the organisation Greenhouse to deliver the challenge. Greenhouse has previously managed similar global initiatives, including the NearZero Steel Challenge.

Information about submission requirements and deadlines for the Solar ScaleUp Challenge can be found on the ARENA | Greenhouse Challenge website.