Unis get $41.5m for ultra low-cost solar

Australia's solar researchers have helped to make it the cheapest form of energy in history. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has awarded $41.5 million in funding to researchers from three universities to slash the cost of solar power.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the funding will go to some of Australia's leading solar researchers at the University of NSW, the Australian National University and the University of Sydney.