7th May, 2026

The Smart Energy Council has celebrated the very best of Australia’s renewable energy sector at the Smart Energy Excellence Awards & Gala Dinner 2026, held on 6 May at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney.

Now in its second year, the Awards & Gala Dinner has quickly become a flagship moment for the industry, bringing together leaders, innovators and changemakers to recognise excellence across the smart energy ecosystem.

The 2026 Awards attracted over 250 submissions, with finalists representing the depth, diversity and strength of Australia’s clean energy sector.

2026 WINNERS

• Smart Installer Award: Electrifying Australia
• Innovation Award: OSW (GreenSketch)
• Outstanding Member Award: Smart Commercial Energy
• Training & Professional Development Award: New Energy Training
• Smart Employer Award: Springers Solar
• Emerging Leader Award: Harry Chami (Solar Juice)
• Stewardship & Sustainability Award: City of Mitcham (SA)
• First Nations Leadership Award: Evan Leslie (NSW Aboriginal Land Council)
• International Leadership Award: Fortescue

RUNNERS-UP

• Smart Installer Award: Gem Energy
• Innovation Award: Brighte
• Outstanding Member Award: PowerPlus Energy
• Training & Professional Development Award: Southwell Solar Training
• Smart Employer Award: Tindo Solar
• Emerging Leader Award: Nicole Bilman (PSW Energy & Perth Solar Warehouse)
• Stewardship & Sustainability Award: Venergy Solar
• First Nations Leadership Award: Simon Quilty (Wilya Janta & Original Power)
• International Leadership Award: SunWiz

A NIGHT THAT REFLECTS AN INDUSTRY ON THE RISE

With 10 award categories, the evening highlighted the scale of innovation and leadership shaping Australia’s energy transition, from installers and educators to global players and emerging leaders.

The Awards were held in partnership with lead sponsor Fox ESS, alongside Gold sponsors Anker SOLIX and Solplanet, and award sponsors including GoodWe, RECAP, Energy Spurt and Go Solar.

LOOKING AHEAD

As the second year of the Smart Energy Excellence Awards comes to a close, the event continues to build momentum as a cornerstone of industry recognition.

The Smart Energy Council looks forward to growing this platform further, continuing to celebrate the people and organisations driving Australia’s transition to a smarter, cleaner energy future.

-ENDS-

Media Contact

Email: media@smartenergy.org.au
Phone: +61 448 972 192
Website: www.smartenergy.org.au

About the Smart Energy Council

The Smart Energy Council is the peak independent membership body representing Australia’s renewable energy industry. We are a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, advocating on behalf of our members and the wider industry for strong energy policy, increased investment, energy security and sustainable industry growth. Our work spans residential, commercial and industrial distributed energy resources (DER), including solar PV and battery storage, rooftop solar, electrification, electric vehicles and smart transport, renewable manufacturing, large-scale renewable energy, electricity grid development and emerging energy technologies. We represent our members’ interests nationally and internationally, including across the Asia-Pacific region.

If your organisation operates in the renewable energy sector, become a member to support our work, strengthen our collective voice and help shape the industry’s future.