CEC Solar Masterclass

9:30 - 10:00am Welcome and introductions  

Georgie Smith, EGM Industry Integrity, Clean Energy Council

Warwick Johnston, Managing Director, SunWiz

10:00 – 11:00am Tech Super Session - Part 1

With the constant changes occurring in rooftop solar, it can often be difficult to keep up with all the latest developments. The CEC’s Accreditation team have got your back though, giving you a comprehensive update on the changes to standards and guidelines that will most affect your day-to-day work.

James Patterson, Installation Compliance Specialist - Standards, Clean Energy Council

Thomas Seymour, Technical Support Officer, Clean Energy Council

Taru Veijalainen, Policy Analyst, AEMO

11:00 – 11:30am  BREAK

11:30 – 12:30pm Workplace health and safety

The safety and wellbeing of workers – whether they are in the office or on the roof – is one of the most important responsibilities of any employer. This session will look at the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, focusing on the dangers of working at heights, mental health and the legal responsibilities of small business owners.

CHAIR: Peter Leeson, Director, Leeson Group

Annie Panow, AccessEAP, Psychologist

Cameron Ellis, Senior Construction Advisor, Hazardous Industries & Industry Practice, WorkSafe

Shenae Williams, Senior Associate, PwC

Glen Heatley, Independent heigh Safety Consultant, New Heights Training and Consulting

12:30 – 1:30pm BREAK

1:30 – 2:30pm Tech Super Session - Part 2

The CEC’s Accreditation team sees a lot of solar installations throughout the year. While the vast majority are high-quality, we still unfortunately see some bad and even downright ugly installations. Join the CEC’s Accreditation team at this session as we run through some practical examples of the best and worst installations that the industry has to offer.

CHAIR: Pat Southwell, Team Leader - Technical, Clean Energy Council

Members of the Installer Reference Group including: 

Bobbi McKibbin, Community Engagement Manager, Solar Integrity

Aaron Browne, Quality Assurance Manager, Infinite Energy

Nathan Allen, Owner and Operator, AES Tasmania

Peter Leeson, Director, Leeson Group

Anthony Grech, Director/Owner, SolarVista

Lily Pejkic, Director, Sydney Solar & Batteries

Dean Wallace, Sole Trader           

Nigel Morris, Business Development Director, Solar Analytics 

QUIZ: Karyn Erickson, Senior Accreditation & Compliance Officer

2:30 - 3:30pm Speed date CEC

While you often here from the CEC team via email or on the phone, it’s always good to put a face to a name. Grab a drink and join us at this session to have one-on-one discussions with CEC staff members from the tech, admin, products, Approved Solar Retailer and membership teams in a relaxed and casual atmosphere.

3:45pm – CLOSE

11:30 - 1:00pm Battery super session

With household batteries expected to be the next big thing in small-scale energy, this super session will provide you with all you need to know about battery installations, including a discussion of the new battery standard AS/NZS 5139 and installation guidelines, examples of compliant and non-compliant installs and an analysis of days of autonomy vs PV oversizing.

CHAIR: James Patterson, Installation Compliance Specialist, Clean Energy Council

Geoff Stapleton, Managing Director, GSES

Michelle Taylor, Manager Intelligent Grid New Technology, Energy Queensland

Michael Shaughnessy, Technical Support Officer, Clean Energy Council

Hillary Lai, Product Program Specialist, Clean Energy Council

11:30 - 12:30pm Consumer protection and best practice

Ensuring that you follow best practice when it comes to consumer protection is one of the best ways to enhance your company’s reputation in the solar industry. Come to this session to learn more about Australian Consumer Law and why it matters to your business and get some best practice tips on protecting your business and customers.

CHAIR: Caitlin Apthorpe, Senior Code of Conduct Coordinator, Clean Energy Council

Heidi Snell, Genral Manager Enforcement Victoria and Tasmania, ACCC

Jake Lilley, Senior Policy Officer, Consumer Action Law Centre

Dean Lombard, Senior Energy Analyst, Renew

Dr Penelope Crossley, Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney

12:40 - 1:15pm Advertising and marketing - mini session

In an industry as competitive as rooftop solar, effective advertising and marketing can be the difference between success and failure. However, there is a fine line between promoting your business honestly and making misleading claims. This session will outline some of the “dos” and “don’ts” of effective marketing in the solar industry.

CHAIR: Harry Smythe, Senior Code of Conduct Coordinator, Clean Energy Council

Russell French, Founder, Energetic Consulting Australia

Chris Jose, ACMA Authority Member & Jeremy Fenton Executive Manager - Unsolicited Communications and Numbering Branch, ACMA

1:30 - 2:30pm Medium scale and commercial solar

Medium-scale and commercial solar installations are one of the big growth areas in the industry at the moment. If you’re interested in getting into the commercial sector, come to this session to hear about the different regulations and guidelines for working at a larger scale, learn lessons from other installations and find out about ground mounting PV.

CHAIR: Allen Burrows, Technical Support Officer, Clean Energy Council

Geza Anderson, Manager of Engineering Services, Clenergy

Dean Smeulders, Manager, Large-scale Renewables, Clean Energy Regulator

Gavin Crabtree, Installation Compliance Specialist, Clean Energy Council

2:40 - 3:15pm Monitoring and maintenance

With the current boom in solar installations, monitoring and maintenance is often overlooked. However, it is becoming an increasingly lucrative part of the rooftop solar market. At this session you will hear some key tips and tricks as to how to benefit from the growing maintenance segment and learn about how to effectively conduct third-party monitoring.

Thomas Seymour, Clean Energy Council

Nigel Morris, Business Development Director, Solar Analytics

1:30 - 2:30pm Small business tips and tricks

Those that own a small solar business will know that being on the tools is the easy part. It’s the day-to-day running of the business that often proves to be the most difficult. This session will provide small business owners with a list of tips of tricks on how to best manage business fundamentals such as insurance, finance options, STCs and warranties. 

CHAIR: Leanne Nichols, Risk & Compliance Coordinator, Clean Energy Council

Dr Michelle McCann, Partner, PV Labs

Anne Devine, Chief Risk Officer, Brighte

Joe Zubcic, Senior Manager, Small Business Compliance & Deterrence, ASIC

2:40 - 3:15pm Recycling

As the solar PV and battery markets mature, the recycling of old components is becoming an increasingly important consideration for the industry. Come to this session to hear about the current best practices for recycling solar PV panels and batteries in Australia and some of the future developments taking place in this important space. 

Maryanne Coffey, Project & Policy Manager, Clean Energy Council

Philip Crotty, LG Chem

Gerry Morvell, Chair, Battery Stewardship Council

3:15pm AFTERNOON TEA

3:45 - 4:30pm Business masterclass

Strong competition in the rooftop solar market means that small tweaks to your business practices can make a significant difference to your profitability. At this interactive session, Warwick Johnston from Sunwiz will run through a series of methods that you can use to improve your business and get ahead in the rooftop solar industry.  

Warkwick Johnston, Managing Director, SunWiz

4:30pm - CLOSE