The Gillard Government has given $1.86 million to Melbourne’s Semitech Semiconductor PTY LTD to develop new technologies in micro-inverters with the goal of making them commercially available around the world.

A micro-inverter is a small box situated on the back of each solar panel that can convert direct current (DC power) into alternating current (AC power) without the need of any other centralised inverter. It can make a solar power system more efficient and reduces fire risks from large voltages that run to the centralised inverter. However, in the past, micro-inverter can be as much as 30% more expensive than a centralised inverter making it an unattractive and unrealistic option for customers.

Semitech Semiconductor hopes to make a new technology in micro-inverters by creating a single chip micro-inverter that is more competitive and reliable. It will eliminate additional processing chips, modems and separate controllers – hopefully making it more cost effective – and make it an integrated circuit containing the resources to perform the functions of a micro-inverter and smart grid communication.

Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet as well as Labour’s Candidate for the Seat of Melbourne, Cath Bowtell attended Semitech Semiconductors place of business in Kensington to announce the grant.

Ms Bowtell said, “I am delighted that a Melbourne company is contributing to our clean energy future and that labour is helping turn this clever idea into a reality.”

Mr Combet said that the carbon tax is now a part of the Australian economy and is working to reduce carbon pollution so the Gillard Government is using the revenue from this tax to invest in clean and renewable technologies such as this new development in micro-inverters. This is part of the Governments $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program that will be funded by the carbon tax.

“The global clean energy market is growing rapidly and it is important that Australian innovations are commercialised so we can export our expertise to major markets including China and the United States,” says Mr Combet.

Grants between $50 000 and $5 million are given to successful applicants on a continuous basis. For more information on those grants, visit ausindustry.gov.au