The Australian Solar Council has honoured the country’s leading solar innovators with the unveiling of the Australian Solar Hall of Fame.

Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Council, John Grimes says the 12 inaugural inductees have made significant contributions to Australia’s solar landscape.

“Australia has long led the way in solar research and development and the Solar Hall of Fame honours our brightest.”

Inductee’s include academics, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs as well as the solar industries early pioneers.

“Without the pioneering efforts of Emeritus Professor John Ballinger or Professor Bill Charters solar technology would be incredibly different from what we know today,” said Mr Grimes.

“Professors Martin Green and Stuart Wenham of the University of New South Wales have revolutionised solar research and development, Dr Shi Zhengrong has streamlined production and Dr David Mills is a solar leader on a global scale.”

The Australian Solar Council has also honoured Professor Graham Morrison, Professor Monica Oliphant, Dr Muriel Watt, Dr Stephen Kaneff, Wal Read and Steve Szokolay for their leading roles in the solar industry.

According to Mr Grimes it is not just the innovators who have helped make Australia a world leader in solar technologies.

Our researchers are equal to any in the world, our innovators have created multi-billion dollar companies and laid foundations for big solar globally, and last year Australia installed more residential solar panel systems than any other country in the world.

“Australian solar has a proud history and a very bright future,” said Mr Grimes.