The Japan Prize Foundation has announced that Australian Scientia Professor Martin Green is a laureate of the Japan Prize in the field of ‘Resources, Energy, the Environment and Social Infrastructure’ for his revolutionary work in the field of photovoltaics.

The annual prize is one of world’s most prestigious awards given to scientists who’ve helped to make significant advances in the fields of science and technology worldwide, thus furthering the cause of peace and prosperity of mankind. Each year two fields of scientific endeavour are honoured.

Professor Green, who is director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) at UNSW Sydney, was recognised on Friday for his work in developing high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic devices.

“It’s a privilege to receive this award, which serves as a reminder that the quest for inexpensive, renewable energy is a global quest seeking to sustain the trajectory of human civilization on our shared planet,” Martin says.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the thousands of solar researchers who have worked in the field for many years, including those at UNSW and elsewhere who have helped not just make PERC [solar cells] a reality but solar now the cheapest source of bulk electricity supply.”

He also thanked the Australian Government for its sustained support of his work, most recently through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

Professor Green is often described as ‘the father of modern photovoltaics’ and has played a significant role in the development and uptake of PV technology, positioning it to a point where it can now be used to decarbonise global energy supply.

He is a world-leading specialist in silicon solar cells, and the research group he founded in UNSW Engineering is the largest and best-known university-based photovoltaic research group in the world.