Labor announces the Cheaper Home Batteries Program

The Smart Energy Council is committed to keeping members up to date as this exciting initiative is rolled out. 

Consumer energy

The heart and soul of smart energy

Thousands of small and medium sized solar businesses make the smart energy transition a reality every single day for Australian energy consumers.

The Smart Energy Council continues to focus its efforts on supporting this vital sector who are the heart and soul of solar, storage and the energy transition.  We provide training, public awareness campaigns, networking and learning events for tens of thousands of solar professionals every year. We collaborate with professionals on the ground to ensure regulations and policies are fit for purpose and fight for common sense. Count on us to listen, support and help your solar business.

Explore our resources

Cheaper Home Batteries Industry Toolkit

Gain access to valuable marketing and sales resources, professional development courses and the smart battery installer badge.

Government Policy & Programs

We have made life easy by collecting all government and industry websites with useful information on consumer energy policies, rebates and more in one easy place!

QLD PV Solar Stewardship Pilot - Information

Learn more about the first PV solar panel recycling pilot in Australia.

QLD PV Solar Stewardship Pilot - Installers

Everything you need to know to enroll as an installer in the pilot and become a part of the solutions.

Cheaper home batteries program

Stay up to date with the latest announcement from the Labor government to make batteries more affordable for all!

Positive quality program

A program focused on ensuring high standards and consumer confidence in solar and battery installations by recognising products and services that meet rigorous quality benchmarks.

Consumer energy working group

Consumer Energy Resources

Chair: John Welch – Western Australia State Manager

The Smart Consumer Working Group focuses on the policies, regulations and market conditions shaping Australia’s consumer energy sector. Bringing together retailers, wholesalers, installers, and service providers, the group explores issues affecting consumer outcomes, compliance, industry standards and the growing role of distributed energy technologies. It is a forum to share insights, identify challenges and help shape advocacy priorities that support a strong and trusted consumer market.

Consumer energy events

Smart Energy Queensland 2026

Smart Energy 2027

Past Consumer Energy Events

Industry Briefing - VEU incentives for commercial and industrial solar systems

Consumer energy latest news

Powering the Pacific: Smart Commercial Energy’s Morere Village Project highlights renewable energy’s role in transforming remote communities

Smart Energy South Australia 2026 showcases the state’s leadership as Australia’s renewable energy powerhouse

Fortescue tackles electrical skills shortage with new training centre

Smart Energy Council Visits Tindo Solar Ahead of Smart Energy South Australia

Fox ESS Shines at The Smarter E Europe 2026 with Full-Ecosystem Offerings and AI-Driven Booth Experience

GreenSketch Extends Global Reach with First European Market Launch in Germany

Explore other industry sectors

Consumer Energy

Empowering households and businesses with access to affordable, efficient, and renewable energy solutions.

Large Scale Renewables

Driving investment in utility-scale solar, wind, and storage projects to accelerate the transition to 100% renewable energy.

Smart Installers

A program for solar and battery professionals providing training, certification, and industry best practices.

Smart Transport

Supporting policies that drive investment in EV infrastructure and fuel efficiency standards.

Smart Metals & Gases

Focusing on decarbonising Australia’s critical minerals, green hydrogen, and renewable gas industries.

Stewardship

Championing stewardship, reuse, and recycling initiatives to ensure lifecycle management of solar panels, batteries, and other renewable technologies.

International

Partnering globally to support investment, trade, and collaboration to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.

Smart Stewardship

Chair: Darren Johannesen

Meeting Frequency: Every 12 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Recyclers
  • PV Manufacturers
  • Product stewardship participants

Policy Scope

  • Stewardship policy
  • Recycling frameworks
  • Circular economy initiatives

Technology Scope

  • Solar
  • Batteries

Topics Scope

  • Recycling pathways
  • Product stewardship schemes
  • End-of-life management
  • Industry obligations
  • Sustainability initiatives

Smart Global

Chair: Robert Potter

Meeting Frequency: Every 12 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Importers
  • Exporters
  • Investors
  • International projects

Policy Scope

  • International trade
  • Market entry
  • Export facilitation
  • Trade Tariff 

Technology Scope

  • Smart energy technologies
  • Climate technologies

Topics Scope

  • Renewable Energy Council Asia Pacific
  • Export opportunities
  • Trade missions
  • Global Climate
  • International partnerships
  • Investment opportunities

Smart Transport

Chair: Rhiannon Evans

Meeting Frequency: Every 12 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Transport technology providers
  • Light and Heavy Electric Fleet operators
  • Charging infrastructure businesses

Policy Scope

  • EV policy
  • Charging infrastructure
  • Transport electrification
  • Network integration
  • Incentives 

Technology Scope

  • Electric vehicles
  • Charging infrastructure
  • Fleet technologies
  • Distribution Network

Topics Scope

  • Rapid Expansion
  • Interconnections
  • Regulations and Standards
  • V2X

Smart Manufacturing

Chair: Rod Scott

Meeting Frequency: Every 12 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Local manufacturers
  • Technology developers
  • Component suppliers
  • Emerging technologies

Policy Scope

  • Supply Chain
  • R&D
  • Manufacturing Incentives
  • CEFC

Technology Scope

  • Solar
  • Storage
  • Electronics
  • Software
  • Critical materials

Topics Scope

  • Expanding local manufacturing
  • Export opportunities
  • Supply chains
  • Local content
  • Investment attraction
  • Industry capability

Smart Large-scale

Chair: Sohaib Mohammed

Meeting Frequency: Every 8 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Large & utility scale developers
  • Asset owners
  • Investors
  • EPCs

Policy Scope

  • NEM Review
  • Capacity Investment Scheme
  • Planning Regulation

Technology Scope

  • Solar
  • Storage
  • Wind
  • Transmission

Topics Scope

  • Interconnection
  • Development
  • Financing
  • Energy Wholesaling
  • Planning Regulation

Smart Consumer

Chair: John Welch

Meeting Frequency: Every 8 Weeks

Sector Scope:

  • Installers
  • Retailers
  • Wholesales
  • Service providers

Policy Scope

  • Consumer Energy Resources (CER) Rebate programs
  • Accreditation
  • Local regulations

Technology Scope

  • Solar
  • Battery storage
  • Energy retail
  • Distributed network technologies

Topics Scope

  • Compliance obligations
  • Training and workforce issues
  • Regulations 
  • Consumer protection
  • Energy retail developments
  • Virtual Power Plants (VPP)
  • Industry best practice

Contact Thornton de Voy

Contact Yuan Fang

Contact Ivan Chelvathurai

Contact Nigel Morris

Contact Charlie Caruso

Contact Allen Edwards

Contact Darren Johannesen

Contact Jessica Hampshire