- 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)