In a world first for Wagga Wagga, the launch of GreatCell Energy’s new pilot plant at Bomen will see a state of the art solar technology used for the first time to build practical applications.

Wagga Wagga’s Bomen industrial area will be the pioneer site where this perovskite-based technology is transformed into a product that we can use. It’s tremendously exciting.

The product will be lightweight, flexible and works in low light. It’s so versatile it could, for example, even be wrapped around a drone or the surface of a car.

People have been researching this third-generation solar technology for decades, but no one had previously made a commercial product with it.

The development of the GreatCell pilot plant is a great example of how successfully Bomen’s special activation precinct can help businesses to become established or to expand. Here, we have a start-up company, with world-first technology, successfully establishing in our city with the help of all levels of government: Wagga Wagga City Counci,l the state government and the federal government have all worked together to assist.

Charles Sturt University also came on board with the project through its AgriPark innovation precinct, providing the use of critical support technology and providing a network of potential contacts. GreatCell has also forged links to industry and has employed a TAFE trainee.

It all comes together here in Wagga Wagga and that’s what we want to offer to other industries, so that we get other world firsts here, with more jobs, more growth and renewal in our regions.