Dr Michael Goldsworthy - Media Biography
Dr Michael Goldsworthy BSc(Hons) MSc PhD FAIP
CEO, Silex Systems Ltd and SilexSolar
Dr Michael Goldsworthy is one of Australia’s leading technology proponents, contributing to significant advances in innovation and commercialisation in solar energy and nuclear power. He is one of the nation’s leading authorities in these two key alternative energy areas, which are being taken up by countries all around the world in response to the growing concerns over global climate change.
Dr Goldsworthy has been instrumental in the development of several solar technologies, including advanced materials for semiconductors and solar cells (through US-based subsidiary Translucent Inc) and innovative electronic equipment technology (through subsidiary ChonoLogic Pty Ltd).
After obtaining a PhD in Physics from the University of NSW in 1988, Dr Goldsworthy immediately began pursuing his technology interests in a business environment, founding Silex Systems Ltd in 1988.
Through his leadership at Silex, Dr Goldsworthy continues to prove the company’s commitment to developing advanced solar technologies to increase efficiency and reduce the costs of solar energy and ,importantly, to reinforce Australia’s leadership in solar technology. Dr Goldsworthy’s focus is to grow the industry to ensure solar PV technology becomes more viable, both economically and socially, and an energy source which is truly competitive against all other energy types.
In mid-2009, Dr Goldsworthy led Silex’s acquisition of the Sydney Olympic Park (SOP) solar manufacturing facility, Australia’s only large scale solar cell and panel production facility. Dr Goldsworthy also led the company’s acquisition of the assets of Melbourne-based Solar Systems Pty Ltd, in March 2010, which has developed advanced concentrating photovoltaic technology being commercialised for the large utility-scale solar power station market.
Dr Goldsworthy believes it imperative that Australia develops a home grown all encompassing solar power industry which provides jobs for young scientists, technicians and manufacturers, among others. He is also passionate about ensuring the commercialisation of Australian IP takes place in Australia, rather than this occurring overseas. As the country’s only Australian-owned Australia based manufacturer of solar panels, SilexSolar is well placed to ensure these outcomes for the benefit of the local energy industry and the economy as a whole.
Dr Goldsworthy is also co-inventor in the development of the company’s innovative laser-based ‘SILEX’ isotope enrichment technology. The SILEX Technology, which was officially Classified by the Australian and USA Governments in 2000, is currently being commercialised by Global Laser Enrichment (a partnership between the General Electric Company (GE), Hitachi and Cameco Corp) in the US under a Commercialisation and License Agreement between Silex and GE signed in 2006.
Dr Goldsworthy was recently awarded the prestigious James Cook Medal. This medal only awarded at intervals for outstanding contributions to science and human welfare in and for the southern hemisphere. The most recent winners before Dr Goldsworthy were Professor Peter Colman in 1999 and Sir Gustav Nossal in 1994.
As CEO of Silex Systems, Dr Goldsworthy took the company public in 1998 when it listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. It has since led two small capital raisings on market of $40M (1999) and $50M (2007). Additionally, over the years Dr Goldsworthy has raised a further ~$250M of additional investment in the group’s technologies from various third parties and project partners.
Media contact
Craig Pearce
Bluegrass Consulting
02 9377 1104 + 0438 003 430
craig@bluegrass.com.au
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