Smart Energy Council

What Smart Energy Council does

The Smart Energy Council (legal entity: Australian Solar Energy Society Limited) is Australia's independent peak body for the smart energy industry, operating as a registered not-for-profit charity founded in 1954 and rebranded from the Australian Solar Energy Society around 2016 to reflect its broadened scope. The organization serves 1,000+ member companies spanning solar and battery installers, large-scale renewable generators, EV and transport operators, smart metals and gases players, and stewardship/circular economy firms. Headquartered in Canberra with 11-50 employees, SEC runs five-tier corporate membership (Small Business through Executive), generates revenue from annual membership fees, paid state-based conferences and exhibitions (Smart Energy South Australia, Queensland, Sydney), Smart Installer Roadshows, Power Circle networking lunches, and the Excellence Awards, and delivers CPD-accredited training through the LearnUpon-powered Smart Installer Institute learning management system.

The organization's core products include the Smart Installer Program and its companion LMS (offering SAA-recognized AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 compliance modules), the Members Portal with searchable Industry Directory, the Knowledge Centre resource library, and six thematic Working Groups (Consumer Energy, Large Scale Renewables, Smart Transport, Smart Metals & Gases, Smart Stewardship, and Smart Global). SEC operates as a community-led GTM motion, leveraging events, advocacy, and training as primary engagement mechanisms rather than direct product sales. Distribution is concentrated through its own website (smartenergy.org.au), the training portal (training.smartenergy.org.au), the events platform (smartenergyevents.org.au), and a multi-channel digital presence spanning LinkedIn, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Threads.

Revenue is generated through subscription-style recurring membership fees, event registrations and sponsorships, and training/certification programs, with additional income from donations via a Deductible Gift Recipient fund (Renewable Energy Promotion Fund). Strategic revenue-adjacent activities include facilitation of major industry partnerships (e.g., Solar Juice/Fox ESS 5GWh agreement), government program delivery support (NSW Home Energy Saver Program via Brighte and Plenti), and policy advocacy that underwrites the council's influence and member value proposition. Customer segments are horizontal across the smart energy value chain, with no disclosed revenue concentration and no public financials, consistent with private NFP reporting.

Name

Smart Energy Council

Legal name

Australian Solar Energy Society Limited

Website

https://smartenergy.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Smart Energy Council is Australia's peak not-for-profit industry association for the smart energy sector, serving 1,000+ member companies through tiered memberships, CPD training via the Smart Installer Institute, state-based conferences, and federal/state policy advocacy. Founded in 1954.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Industry Association

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Home Energy & EV Charging (HEMS, Smart Meters, Batteries, Chargers) (HSAPAQAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customer Energy Engagement (In-Home Displays, Portals, Usage Insights) (EUADAFAH), Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ)

Keywords

• Renewable energy association
• Industry membership organization
• Solar training programs
• Clean energy advocacy
• Installer certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Rawson

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: The Smart Energy Council generates revenue through membership fees from Australian and international businesses of all sizes across the smart energy industry. Membership tiers include Executive, Premium, Standard, Essential, and Small Business categories.
2. Event Registrations and Sponsorships: Revenue generated from paid events including Smart Energy conferences, Smart Installer Roadshows, Power Circle industry lunches, and Excellence Awards. Events offer CPD training points and networking opportunities for industry professionals.
3. Training Programs and Smart Installer Subscriptions: The Smart Energy Council operates the Smart Installer Institute learning management system providing training, certification, and CPD points for solar and battery professionals. Smart Installer is a free subscription program with access to training modules and industry updates.
4. Smart Installer Program Subscriptions: Smart Installer is a subscription program for solar and battery professionals providing training, certification, and industry best practices. While the basic subscription is free, there are paid components for training modules and certifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Smart Energy Council is an independent, not-for-profit industry association serving as Australia's peak body for the smart energy industry. It delivers multi-tiered corporate membership (Executive, Premium, Standard, Essential, Small Business), the Smart Installer training and certification program powered by a LearnUpon-based learning management system, state-based industry conferences and networking events, working groups, a member directory, and a knowledge resource library. It also leads federal and state policy advocacy on solar, battery storage, electric vehicles, hydrogen, and circular economy issues.

Product overview

The Smart Energy Council is a not-for-profit industry association and the independent body for Australia's smart energy industry, supporting the sector for over 70 years. The organization offers a membership platform with multiple interconnected products and services: the Smart Installer Program provides training and certification for solar/battery professionals through the Smart Installer Institute (a LearnUpon-based learning management system) delivering SAA-compliant CPD training and AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 grid connection courses; Smart Energy Events deliver state-based conferences (South Australia, Queensland, Sydney) plus Excellence Awards; Smart Installer Roadshows provide in-person CPD training across Australian cities; Power Circle offers senior networking lunches; the Members Portal provides exclusive access to industry news, the Industry Directory of 1000+ members, and Knowledge Centre resources covering Consumer Energy, Large Scale Renewables, Smart Transport, Smart Metals & Gases, and Stewardship. Working Groups enable members to shape policy across six specialty areas. The SEC also supports government programs including the NSW Home Energy Saver Program (via finance partners Brighte and Plenti) and advocates for the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program. The Stewardship Program addresses solar PV end-of-life management through recycling pilots and circular economy resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smart Installer: A program for solar and battery professionals providing training, certification, and industry best practices
• Smart Installer Institute
• Renewable Energy Promotion Fund
• Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia
• Smart Energy Council

Products and services

• Smart Installer Program A subscription program for solar and battery installers providing CPD training modules, SAA-compliant AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 grid-connection courses, and industry best-practice resources. Targeted at solar and battery installation professionals across Australia.
• Smart Installer Institute Online learning management system (powered by LearnUpon) that delivers SEC's CPD training modules, AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 compliance courses, quizzes, and downloadable certificates to Smart Installer subscribers and paid members.
• Smart Energy Events State-based industry conferences and exhibitions such as Smart Energy South Australia, Smart Energy Queensland, and Smart Energy Sydney, featuring CPD training sessions, networking, and exhibitions for smart energy professionals.
• Smart Installer Roadshows In-person CPD training roadshows for solar and battery installers held across Australian capital cities, combining skills training, product expo, and networking with CPD point accreditation.
• Power Circle Senior networking-first industry lunch delivering SEC insights and peer conversations for business owners, senior leaders, and industry decision-makers, held alongside Smart Installer Roadshows.
• Members Portal Exclusive member-only platform providing access to member news, events, industry directory, knowledge-centre downloads, advocacy materials, and toolkits such as the Solar Sharer Offer Fact Sheet.
• Industry Directory Searchable online directory of Smart Energy Council members filterable by industry (solar, storage, EV, wind, hydrogen) and membership tier, supporting industry discovery and connections.
• Knowledge Centre Resource library offering open-access webinars, CPD sessions, and explainer guides, plus exclusive member-only technical masterclasses, expert panels, and advanced compliance briefings covering consumer energy, large-scale renewables, smart transport, smart metals & gases, and stewardship.
• Working Groups Member forums for shaping SEC policy and advocacy positions across Consumer Energy, Cybersecurity Subgroup, Large Scale Renewables, Innovation Manufacturing, Smart Transport, SEC Stewardship Community, and Smart Global (International).
• Corporate Membership Program Tiered annual corporate membership program with five levels (Executive, Premium, Standard, Essential, Small Business) granting access to events, working groups, advocacy representation, and member resources for businesses across the smart energy sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• Australia has reached over 50% renewable energy generation, with SEC advocacy contributing to policy frameworks supporting this milestone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• PlenticoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 June 2026Plenti was announced as an inaugural finance provider for the NSW Government's Home Energy Saver Program. Plenti is a Standard SEC member and has delivered government-backed initiatives including the NSW Empowering Homes Program, WA Residential Battery Scheme, and SA Energy Masters Program.
• BrightecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 June 2026Brighte, a Premium SEC member, was selected as a financing partner for the NSW Government's Home Energy Saver Program. Brighte offers up to $15,000 interest-free loans for home energy upgrades including solar, batteries, heat pumps. Brighte has issued over $2.5 billion in home energy loans across its decade of operation with 2,600+ accredited vendors.
• RESINC SolarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026RESINC Solar, an Executive SEC member, is playing a central role in delivering the NSW Home Energy Saver Program. The company is also undertaking the Vulnerable Veterans & Families Solar Program, having donated solar and battery systems to vulnerable NSW households to demonstrate real-world impact of the technology.
• EV Industry CoalitionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Smart Energy Council joined a coalition of 15 EV industry companies including Evie, EVX, EnergyAustralia, AGL, Tesla, and others issuing a joint statement on grid connection bottlenecks and tariff reform. The coalition calls on governments to remove regulatory barriers delaying charging infrastructure rollout, with billions in private investment ready but impeded by DNSP monopolies controlling 90% of input costs.
• Deakin UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Deakin University and Smart Energy Council signed an MOU to jointly design and implement training programs tailored to India's rooftop solar sector. The partnership leverages Australian vocational education expertise to address the limited availability of industry-ready technicians in India's growing clean energy market. The initiative includes creating globally aligned training frameworks, curriculum standards, and train-the-trainer programs, supported by broader India-Australia clean energy cooperation efforts. Multiple Australian government departments are supporting this collaboration.
• GoodWecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026GoodWe joined the Smart Energy Council as an Executive Member, indicating active involvement in industry advocacy and collaboration. As an Executive member, GoodWe participates in shaping industry policy and accessing SEC's network and resources.
• Solar JuicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 19 January 2026Solar Juice is a member company that signed a 5GWh energy storage agreement with Fox ESS during SNEC 2026. The partnership extends their October 2025 strategic supply contract, with Solar Juice delivering high-quality energy storage solutions to installers and homeowners across Australia.
• Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEC collaborates with Solar Accreditation Australia on training compliance. SEC's 6-part AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 series has been recognized by SAA as meeting requirements for mandatory training compliance, providing 90 CPD points and free access for SEC members and Smart Installer subscribers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Clean Energy Council: Australia's other major renewable energy industry peak body, with overlapping membership across solar, storage, and EV. SEC and CEC compete for member dues and advocacy primacy in federal policy debates on batteries, EVs, and grid reform.
• SolarPower Europe: European solar industry association covering policy, market intelligence, and member events across 30+ markets. Comparable to SEC as a peak body advocating for solar deployment, storage integration, and circular economy.
• Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA): Canada's national association for wind, solar, and energy storage, with a comparable member-driven advocacy and event model. SEC shares the same multi-sector renewable scope and policy-advocacy GTM.
• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): The US national solar industry trade association. Comparable to SEC in function — advocacy, member services, events, installer training and standards — though operating in a much larger US solar market.
• Electric Vehicle Council (Australia): Australian industry association for EV manufacturers, charging networks, and fleet operators. Overlaps directly with SEC's Smart Transport working group and the April 2026 EV charging infrastructure joint statement.
• Renewable Energy Association (UK): UK trade association representing renewable energy generators, developers, and installers. Comparable member-driven advocacy and event-led GTM, though operating in a more mature policy environment than Australia's.

Emerging players

• Global Solar Council: International federation of national and regional solar industry associations. SEC is a member; the GSC provides a parallel global advocacy platform that could either complement or compete with SEC's international ambitions.
• Energy Storage Council (Global): International trade association focused on energy storage. Overlaps with SEC's battery storage advocacy and Smart Installer training but is storage-specific, while SEC covers the broader smart energy ecosystem.

Regional players

• Australian Council of Recycling: Australia's peak body for the recycling and resource recovery sector. Comparable to SEC's Stewardship Community work on solar PV recycling and product stewardship, with overlapping circular-economy advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA): US-based organisation facilitating utility adoption of clean, distributed energy resources. Comparable to SEC's grid integration and customer energy engagement work but US-centric and utility-focused rather than installer-led.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SmartEnergyCncl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@smartenergycouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/AustSmartNRG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smartenergycouncil
• Instagraminstagram.com/smartenergycouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smart Energy Council