The Federal Government has announced a $2.3 million grant under its Emerging Renewables Program (ERP) to assist BlueScope Steel’s $5 million development of a prototype building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system.

 

The BIPV system will see BlueScope develop a new roofing profile that joins Australian steel roofing and inverter systems with international second generation thin-film solar technologies.

 

The system will provide simultaneous installation of roofing and solar technology, and will be capable of generating energy for the electricity grid.

 

"Today’s $2.3 million grant, issued under the $126 million Emerging Renewables Program, will allow the mass deployment of this technology across residential, commercial and industrial rooftops in Australia," Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson said.

 

"The prototype will be easily scaled up to the operational stage ensuring future BIPV systems can be cost-effective without Government subsidies.

 

"This project will help make Australia a world leader in BIPV development, particularly for thermal roofing featuring flexible thin-film technology."

 

Australia’s installed rooftop photovoltaic capacity increased from 23 to 1450 megawatts between 2008 and 2012 and is expected to grow to more than 5100MW by 2020 and 12,000MW by 2031.