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Electric homes and businesses

Australia is a world leader in rooftop solar, but it's just the beginning of our electrification journey. The right incentives, education, government targets and policy settings can help Australian homes and businesses go all-electric.

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<p>Electric homes and businesses</p>

Australia is a world leader in rooftop solar, but it's just the beginning of our electrification journey. As our Consumer Energy Roadmap shows, the right incentives, education, government targets and policy settings can help Australian homes and businesses electrify and slash their energy bills.

Australia has more than 3.7 million rooftop systems. It's the second biggest source of renewable electricity in the country and the fastest growing, a testament to the hundreds of businesses working in the sector.

The rooftop solar boom is helping power a growing wave of electrification as Australians adopt electric vehicles, home batteries, heat pumps and more. By 2030, the average all-electric household with solar and a battery will save $1,150 per year†.

Electrification has great benefits for Australia's clean energy transition: it’s fast to roll out, has established community support, reduces reliance on the grid, creates thousands of jobs and delivers direct energy savings to Australians.

Here's how we're helping it grow...

Accelerating electrification

All-electric homes and businesses are critical for the clean energy transition and lowering energy bills.

Australia's solar boom has been accelerated by rising energy costs and consumers looking for ways to reduce their bills. Supported by government Feed-in-Tariffs (FiT), the Federal Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and state programs like Victoria’s Solar Homes program, Australians have embraced solar PV.

We're petitioning governments to continue to support electrification of Australian homes and businesses, with incentives for battery systems for example, and targeted schemes to help renters, apartment owners and small businesses electrify.

We're also advocating for regulators and operators to create solutions to increase opportunities for Australians to earn money from exporting their energy to the grid. 

National Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap
12 Jun 2024

National Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap

This report describes the huge value of CER to Australia and outlines the key policies needed to empower homes and businesses to embrace an electric future.
Submission on Unlocking CER Benefits Through Flexible Trading, Draft Determination
12 Apr 2024

Submission on Unlocking CER Benefits Through Flexible Trading, Draft Determination

We need to adopt policy that empowers consumers to adopt storage and trust market providers.
It's time to back batteries
27 Mar 2024

It's time to back batteries

Home batteries are the next step in Australia’s electrification journey. They will help Australians use more of their solar energy, provide security from blackouts and slash energy bills. They’re also critical to Australia’s target of 82% renewables by 2030.

With government programs providing assistance, we need to make sure there is a robust consumer protection framework to underpin consumer confidence and trust. The Clean Energy Council administers a number of industry programs to help safeguard government programs and protect consumers and those working in the industry. Our Products Listing Program certifies solar panels, inverters and batteries to ensure they meet Australian Standards, and the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program establishes a set of consumer protection standards for retailers of solar, battery and new energy technology products and services. We're also advocating for governments and other industry stakeholders to simplify regulatory red tape on installers and retailers to reduce the time they spend on administration so they can spend more time on the tools, saving businesses and consumers money. Our myCEC service helps those working in the industry understand expanding regulations and requirements. 

National Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap
12 Jun 2024

National Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap

This report describes the huge value of CER to Australia and outlines the key policies needed to empower homes and businesses to embrace an electric future.
Review Into Consumer Energy Resources Technical Standards (emo0045)
01 Jun 2023

Review Into Consumer Energy Resources Technical Standards (emo0045)

The CEC is pleased that the Commission is undertaking a review of the technical standards for consumer energy resources (CER) and outlining recommendations (for the review of industry stakeholders) that aim at improving compliance of CER devices. Our response to the draft report is based on feedback from our members and are aimed at ensuring the proposed recommendations mitigate any unintended and negative consequences.
NETCC program for retailers

NETCC program for retailers

Become a New Energy Tech Approved Seller to show your customers your business is committed to meeting consumer protection standards.
Products program

Products program

Find approved solar PV modules, inverters and batteries that meet Australian Standards. Apply to add your product to the list.

The rooftop solar and battery sector directly employs thousands of Australians and accounts for over 50% of the renewables workforce. Renewables are growing so fast that we're running out of electricians.In 2022, to ease demands on electricians we helped redesign vocational training in rooftop solar and storage to enable non-electricians to design systems. We're also working with the Energy Efficiency Council on the Careers for Net Zero campaign and job fairs to help recruit more students into renewables careers, and we're encouraging more women into the workplace through our Women in Renewables initiative.

Jobs Report Guides Future For The Clean Energy Workforce
03 Oct 2023

Jobs Report Guides Future For The Clean Energy Workforce

The Clean Energy Council supports the findings of the inaugural workforce capacity study, The Clean Energy Generation: Workforce needs for a net zero economy, published by Jobs and Skills Australia.
Clean Energy Council Review Drives The First Comprehensive Update To Vocational Training In Rooftop
21 Dec 2022

Clean Energy Council Review Drives The First Comprehensive Update To Vocational Training In Rooftop

Clean Energy Council review drives the first comprehensive training update in over 10 years.
Diversity in renewables

Diversity in renewables

To attract and retain a diverse workforce we need to ensure our workplaces are equitable, inclusive, and accessible.
The cumulative volume of end-of-life solar panels in Australia is projected to reach 280,000 tonnes by 2025*. Many of those at the end of their life are currently ending up in landfill. A circular approach in which solar panels, battery systems and EVs are repaired, reused and recycled can help reduce costs, waste and environmental impacts. The CEC has established the Manufacturing and Product Life-Cycle Working Group to consider the development of product stewardship guidance for the industry to advocate for a circular and sustainable approach to the manufacturing, installation and decommissioning of consumer energy resources. In addition to discussing relevant programs and potential policy developments, the Working Group is a great forum for networking with members and expanding connections along the life span of renewable energy equipment.


 *Scoping Study: Solar panel end-of-life management in Australia - APVI

Clean Energy Council Awards 2023
25 Oct 2023

Clean Energy Council Awards 2023

Read about the 2023 winners of the renewable energy industry's most prestigious awards.
Submission to Wired for Change: Small Electrical Products And Solar PV Systems
04 Aug 2023

Submission to Wired for Change: Small Electrical Products And Solar PV Systems

Our feedback on DCCEEW’s public proposal on a regulatory approach to product stewardship for electrical/electronic-products (e-products), solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and small electrical and electronic equipment (SEEE).

314k

rooftop solar systems installed in 2023

56k

home batteries installed in 2023

With a comprehensive focus on the policy and regulatory environment that is trying to catch up with the innovation of consumer energy resources, the Distributed Energy Directorate works closely with all industry stakeholders to develop policy outcomes that support consumer uptake and participation in rooftop solar, home storage and other behind the meter products and services.  


Join the Distributed Energy Directorate

The majority of our policy work is developed with our Members in Directorates, with smaller working groups and committees tackling specific challenges.
Con Hristodoulidis

policy and advocacy

Meet the Director

Con Hristodoulidis Director, Distributed Energy
Australians are installing rooftop solar at record levels. I'm excited to be driving policy outcomes that support accelerated uptake of small-scale renewable technologies by all Australians.

Become a Clean Energy Council member

As a member of the Clean Energy Council you can join our directorates and working groups, and add your voice to about 1,000 other members shaping the direction of the clean energy industry. Together, we can accelerate the energy transition and bring the benefits of renewables to all Australians.
Become a Clean Energy Council member
Events

What’s happening in rooftop solar and storage?

Be part of the sector's leading events
If your organisation is interested in developments in rooftop solar and storage in Australia, register now for these upcoming events.
Australian Clean Energy Summit 2024

Australian Clean Energy Summit 2024

16 Jul - 17 Jul 2024
Careers for Net Zero QLD Roadshow

Careers for Net Zero QLD Roadshow

06 Aug - 14 Aug 2024
All Energy Australia 2024

All Energy Australia 2024

23 Oct - 24 Oct 2024
Women in Renewables Lunch at All Energy Australia 2024

Women in Renewables Lunch at All Energy Australia 2024

23 Oct 2024