Dr Shukla Poddar

Dr. Shukla Poddar is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW Sydney, working at the interface of solar photovoltaics and atmospheric science. Her work involves developing scalable tools and methodologies for spectral modelling of next-generation PV technologies, alongside modelling PV degradation, long-term energy yield, and system lifetime. Her research focuses on understanding how climate variability—from day-to-day fluctuations to extreme events—affects solar power generation, and how these insights can be used to design more efficient and resilient energy systems, with applications in advanced optimisation and maintenance modelling of solar farms. She collaborates with industry and international partners to translate research into practical solutions that support reliable and sustainable renewable energy deployment. 

Dr Poddar received her PhD in 2024 from UNSW in collaboration with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, where her research explored the impacts of climate change on photovoltaic (PV) power generation in Australia. She holds a Master of Technology in Climate Science and Technology from Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, during which she was competitively selected to conduct her master’s thesis research at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Regional Remote Sensing Centre.

She is also an active science communicator and advocate for STEM engagement, recognised through initiatives including UNSW 2024 STEM Champions, Rising Stars 2024, participation in Soapbox Science Sydney 2025, and selection as a Rising Stars Mentor in 2025. Her work has been featured in several media outlets like PV Magazine, Renew Economy, The Conversation, Facility Perspective along with interviews in ABC News, SBS News, 7News, etc.