Martin Green (born 1948) is an Australian professor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) who works intensively with the development of the use of solar energy.
He was born in Brisbane and was educated at the selective Brisbane State High School, graduated from University of Queensland and completed his PhD on a Commonwealth Scholarship at McMaster University in Canada, where he specialised in solar energy. In 1974, at the University of New South Wales, he initiated the Solar Photovoltaics Group which soon worked on the development of silicon solar cells. The group had their success in the early 80s through producing a 20% efficient silicon cell, which now has been improved to 25%.
He has published several books on solar cells both for popular science and deep research, and has been recognized with different awards.
He also serves on the Board of the Sydney-based Pacific Solar Pty Ltd. (now known as CSG Solar), as Research Director.
His portrait was painted with fellow scientist, Ross Garnaut for the Archibald Prize 2010. The painting was a finalist, losing to a portrait of Tim Minchin.
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The “buried contact solar cell” was developed at UNSW in 1984.[1]
- 1982 Pawsey Medal (Australian Academy)
- 1988 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Energy Research
- 1990 IEEE Cherry Award
- 1992 CSIRO External Medal
- 1995 IEEE Ebers Award
- 1999 Australia Prize
- 2000 Gold Medal from the Spanish Engineering Academy.
- 2000 Medal of Engineering Excellence for Distinguished Achievement in the Service of Humanity from the World Engineering Federation (Hannover, 2000),
- 2000-Millennium Award from the World Renewable Congress
- 2002 Right Livelihood Award
- 2003 Karl Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit Award from the University of Delaware
- 2006 Finalist, European Inventor of the Year (together with Stuart Wenham)
- 2008 Winner, 2008 Scientist of the Year Award
- 2009 Zayed Future Energy Prize finalist, recognized at the award ceremony for his ground breaking research in photovoltaic (PV) technology that will result in increased efficiencies, bringing solar energy closer to grid parity.[2]