Australian researchers have been lauded for their world-leading advances in solar technology, with one engineer taking home a prize worth over half a million dollars.

Announced in London today, Australian Professor Stuart Wenhamm from the University of New South Wales, has been awarded the prestigious Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) A.F Harvey Engineering Research Prize.

The award includes a $A560,000 prize.

The A.F Harvey award recognises a breakthrough which will allow solar cells to be made out of cheaper and much more abundant materials.

Professor Wenham and his team recently discovered a mechanism to control the charge state of hydrogen atoms to correct deficiencies in silicon – the most costly part of a solar cell.

“Our patented advanced hydrogenation technology will allow lower-quality silicon to outperform solar cells made from better quality materials, producing higher efficiencies at significantly lower cost,” said Professor Wenham, from the UNSW School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering.

“It is a great honour to receive the A F Harvey Engineering Prize and the international recognition that it brings to this important innovation. The prize money will go a long way to helping us take the research to the next stage.

“Our UNSW team is now working... to commercialise this low-cost technology,” said Professor Wenham.

Prof Whenham has acknowledged the role of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s funding support on the project, which is expected to be completed in 2016.