Scientia Professor Martin Green was recognised for decades of collaboration that helped advance China's solar technology industry.
UNSW Sydney Scientia Professor Martin Green has received China's highest honour for international scientific collaboration, recognising more than four decades of contributions to solar energy research and the development of the country's photovoltaic (PV) industry.
Prof. Green, founding Director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), was presented with the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award at the 2026 National Science and Technology Awards Conference in Beijing.
It's the most prestigious award presented by the Chinese government to foreign scientists, engineers or organisations that have made outstanding contributions to China's scientific and technological development.
Prof. Green was recognised for his pioneering work in high-efficiency silicon solar cells, his longstanding collaboration with Chinese researchers and industry, and his role in mentoring generations of photovoltaic scientists and engineers.
"Science knows no borders and green energy is a shared cause for all of humanity," Prof. Green said.
"Receiving this prestigious award is not just a personal honour, but a testament to over 40 years of win-win collaboration between UNSW Sydney and China's academic and industrial sectors."
Prof. Green also reflected on the importance of international scientific partnerships to address shared challenges.
"In facing the global challenge of climate change, cross-border scientific cooperation is more vital now than ever before."
A legacy of collaboration
Prof. Green is internationally recognised as one of the world's leading solar researchers. His pioneering work helped establish the theoretical efficiency limits of silicon solar cells and led to breakthrough technologies, including Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC) and TOPCon (Tunnel-Oxide Polysilicon Contact) solar cell designs, which are now widely used throughout the global solar industry.
Prof. Green set up Australia's first solar research lab in 1974 and established the world's first solar undergraduate degree in 2000 . Since then, he has supervised around 130 Master's and PhD students, including more than 50 from China, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in the country's rapidly growing solar industry.
Through decades of research partnerships, technology transfer and Australian-Chinese joint ventures, Prof. Green played a pivotal role in the early development and exponential growth of China's solar industry. Innovations developed at UNSW were adopted and scaled by Chinese manufacturers, helping drive down the cost of solar cells and accelerate their global uptake.
China now produces more than 80% of the world's solar panels , with the widespread adoption of solar technology contributing significantly to the global transition away from fossil fuels and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The honour cements Prof. Green's lasting impact on international scientific cooperation and reinforces UNSW Sydney's commitment to advancing clean energy research through global partnerships.
UNSW Dean of Engineering Professor Julien Epps said the accolade recognised the enduring impact of Prof. Green's research and international collaboration.
"Martin Green's contribution to solar energy is extraordinary," Prof. Epps said.
"His pioneering research has transformed the global photovoltaic industry and helped make solar power one of the world's most affordable and widely adopted sources of clean energy. This prestigious recognition reflects not only his scientific excellence, but also his decades-long commitment to international collaboration, mentoring the next generation of researchers and delivering real-world impact through innovation."
After the National Science and Technology Awards Conference in Beijing, Prof. Green travelled to Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan to continue a longstanding academic partnership spanning more than 40 years. During the visit, Prof. Green delivered lectures, met with researchers and students and discussed future collaboration in solar technology.
The latest accolade adds to a long list of international honours for Prof. Green. In 2025, he received the Faraday Medal from the UK's Institution of Engineering and Technology . Prof. Green has also been awarded the Japan Prize, Millennium Technology Prize, Global Energy Prize and the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, shared with three of his former students.
