Solar Training Centre

What Solar Training Centre does

Solar Training Centre is a privately-held Australian Registered Training Organisation (operating as a division of Green Business Audit & Training Pty Ltd, RTO No 40352, ASQA-registered) that delivers accredited solar and battery installation training. Founded in 2009, the company is headquartered in Adelaide, with owned training facilities in Melbourne (Springvale), Brisbane (Salisbury), and Darwin. Its core student cohorts are licensed electricians and apprentices seeking Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) provisional accreditation across three vertically-stacked pathways: Grid-Connected Solar PV (Design and Install), Battery Storage for Grid PV, and Stand-alone Power Systems / Off-Grid. Supporting courses include safety training (Work Safely at Heights, Work Safely in the Solar Industry) and SAA CPD micro-courses (Installing Generation Signaling Devices in QLD). Courses are 5-day face-to-face programmes combined with self-directed online theory delivered through an LMS, capped at 12 students per class for instructor-led practical work.

The company differentiates on three structural factors: (1) a regulator-mandated RTO/SAA pathway that competitors must replicate through accredited certification; (2) extensive live practical workstations featuring equipment from ~18 major manufacturers (Sigenergy, Enphase, Fronius, BYD, SMA, Victron, Longi, Growatt, Goodwe, SolaX and others) reinforced by an Industry Engagement Program that brings vendor representatives into the classroom; and (3) a non-competitive trainer model in which trainers (Steve, Craig Rodman, Josh Sheppard, Rob, Andrew, Joel) operate their own solar businesses and the parent entity holds no commercial interest in solar retailers or installer firms. The company has trained 3,500+ students since 2009 and holds a 5.0 Google rating across 125+ reviews.

Solar Training Centre monetises primarily through one-time course fees ranging from $50 (GSD micro-course) to $2,895 (Stand-alone Power Systems full price), with effective per-student revenue net of subsidies (CITB-SA up to $3,000/yr, CSQ-QLD up to 100%, Keystone Tasmania up to 50%, Solar Victoria) landing in the $1,200–$1,800 range. The go-to-market is sales-led: direct website enrolment via a course calendar, supplemented by inside sales (phone/email), group/corporate training for electrical contractor teams, and government-subsidy channel partnerships. Customer mix is heavily skewed toward SMB electrical contractors across Australia, and the company maintains independence from solar sales/marketing firms to avoid trainee conflict-of-interest risks.

Name

Solar Training Centre

Legal name

Solar Training Centre Pty Ltd

Website

https://solarrto.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Solar Training Centre, a division of ASQA-registered RTO Green Business Audit & Training (RTO No 40352), delivers SAA-accredited solar PV, battery storage, and stand-alone power systems training to licensed electricians and apprentices across Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Darwin in Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Solar and Battery Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Renewable Energy Electrical (Solar PV, Wind, Storage) (EDAOABAI), Electrician Training (Residential & Commercial) (EDAOABAA), Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)

Keywords

• Solar installer training
• Battery storage accreditation
• Stand-alone power systems
• Electrical vocational education
• Registered training organisation

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Primary revenue from course fees for solar accreditation training courses. Fees vary by course type (Design and Install, Design Only, Install Only) and range from $50 to $2,895 per course. No GST applies to course fees.
2. Government Funding Subsidies: Revenue supplemented by government funding programs including CITB (SA), CSQ (QLD), Keystone Tasmania, and Solar Victoria which provide subsidies to eligible participants in the building and construction industry. Subsidies are refunded after successful course completion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Solar Training Centre delivers accredited vocational training for licensed electricians and tradespeople across Australia, covering grid-connected solar PV design and install, battery storage for grid PV, and stand-alone power systems. Courses are nationally recognised by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) and award Statements of Attainment, with delivery combining online theory via LMS and hands-on practice at live workstations stocked with major manufacturer equipment. Additional short courses cover working at heights safety and SAA continuing professional development points.

Product overview

Solar Training Centre operates as a division of Green Business Audit & Training (RTO No 40352), offering a portfolio of training programs recognized by Solar Accreditation Australia. The core offering consists of nationally accredited qualifications in Solar PV installation (Design and Install Grid Connected Solar PV Systems), Battery Storage (Batteries for Grid Connected Solar PV Systems), and Stand-alone Power Systems (Off-Grid Solar Standalone Power Systems), each leading to SAA provisional accreditation. Supporting these are short courses including Work Safely in the Solar Industry (mandatory for Solar Victoria's Solar Homes Program), Work Safely at Heights (RIIWHS204E), and SAA CPD courses such as Installing Generation Signaling Devices (GSD) for QLD compliance. The training is delivered face-to-face at facilities in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Darwin, combined with self-directed online learning via the LMS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design and Install Grid Connected Solar PV Systems SAA-accredited 5-day face-to-face course combined with self-directed study for licensed electricians and apprentices to gain Grid-Connect Solar Design and Install accreditation with Solar Accreditation Australia, covering units UEERE0054, UEERE0061, UEERE0080, and UEERE0081.
• Batteries for Grid Connected Solar PV Systems SAA-accredited 5-day face-to-face course for electricians with Grid PV qualifications to gain Battery Storage for Grid Design/Install accreditation, covering units UEERE0060, UEERE0077, and UEERE0078.
• Off-Grid Solar Standalone Power Systems SAA-accredited 5-day face-to-face course for electricians and qualified engineers with Grid PV and Battery Storage qualifications to gain Stand-alone Power Systems Designer/Installer accreditation, covering qualifications 22601VIC and 22600VIC.
• Work Safely in the Solar Industry Mandatory training course for Solar Victoria's Solar Homes Program covering VU23631 unit on safely working on rooftops with renewable energy systems, with options for online theory plus face-to-face practical or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• Work Safely at Heights 1-day face-to-face short course covering RIIWHS204E for solar installers, electricians and tradespeople working at heights, including 8 hours of training and assessment on hazards, PPE selection, and fall protection systems.
• Installing Generation Signalling Devices (GSD) Self-paced online SAA CPD course (SAA CPD Code 388) of approximately 1 hour covering QLD DNSP compliance requirements for installing mandated generation signalling devices in grid-connected solar and battery systems, earning 20 SAA CPD points.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5.0 Google rating based on 125 reviews
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Energex and Ergon Energy NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Energex and Ergon Energy Network to develop the Installing Generation Signaling Devices (GSD) course for Queensland compliance requirements. The course outlines requirements for meeting compliance with the QLD DNSP-mandated generation signaling device installation.
• Solar VictoriamajorOthersSolar Victoria funded training under the Training and Workforce Development program for Work Safely on Roofs with Renewable Energy Systems (VU23631). Program provided subsidized training to electricians and plumbers under the Solar Homes Program.
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) - SAmajorOthersCITB provides up to $3,000 in annual training subsidies for eligible persons in SA building and construction industry. Solar Training Centre is a CITB Endorsed Training Provider offering subsidies on Grid PV, Battery Storage, Stand-alone Power Systems, and Work Safely at Heights courses.
• CSQ (Construction Skills Queensland)majorOthersCSQ funds up to 100% of course costs for eligible Queensland residential building and construction workers. Solar Training Centre is an approved provider offering subsidies on Grid Connected Solar PV Systems and Battery Storage courses.
• Keystone TasmaniaminorOthersKeystone Tasmania funds up to 50% of course costs for eligible Tasmanian building and construction industry workers. Applicable to Grid PV, Battery Storage, and Stand Alone Power Systems courses.
• Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA)coreOthersSolar Training Centre courses are recognized by SAA and are the first step towards gaining Solar Grid PV, Battery Storage and Stand-alone (Off Grid) industry SAA accreditation. SAA is the primary accreditation body for solar installers in Australia.
• Equipment Manufacturers (Sigenergy, Selectronic, Power Plus, Enphase, Fronius, BYD, Alpha-Ess, Redback, SMA, Goodwe, SolaX, Victron, Growatt, Vaulta, Fox-ESS, Longi, Clenergy, Noark, ABB, Plyontech, Milwaukee, Red Dot, Solar Cutters, AWISE, Deye, Solar Proof, Zeus)coreTechnology or IntegrationMajor equipment manufacturers provide products for practical training facilities. Representatives attend training sessions through the Industry Engagement Program to discuss products with students. Products include inverters, batteries, panels, and monitoring systems.
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) - Industry PartnercoreOthersCITB is listed as collaboration partner. CITB funding available through the Construction Skills Training Program for eligible SA building and construction workers up to $3,000 annually.
• Smart Energy CouncilminorOthersListed as link partner on website. Industry organization supporting renewable energy professionals and businesses in Australia.
• Clean Energy CouncilminorOthersListed as link partner. Former accreditation body for solar installers before transition to Solar Accreditation Australia.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NECA Education and Careers: National Electrical and Communications Association's training arm delivering accredited electrical and renewables training to licensed electricians and apprentices. Directly comparable to STC as a competing RTO serving the same electrician cohort with overlapping solar PV and battery content.
• Electrotechnology Training Australia (ETA): Specialist electrotechnology RTO delivering accredited training to electricians including renewable energy subjects. Comparable as a competing RTO serving the same licensed electrician segment with overlapping accreditation units in the UEERE family.

Others

• Clean Energy Council: Former solar installer accreditation body in Australia, now in a transitional relationship with Solar Accreditation Australia. Comparable because it set the standards STC's courses must align to, but it is an industry body rather than a training provider.

Emerging players

• Grid Connect Training / VoltConnect Training: Smaller Australian RTOs offering Grid Connect PV and battery storage accreditation courses. Comparable as direct competitors for the same electrician cohort, though typically single-state and with fewer live workstations than STC.
• SMA Solar Academy (Australia): SMA provides inverter-focused installer training and webinars in Australia. Comparable as a manufacturer-led training channel targeting the same solar electrician cohort, though narrower in scope than STC's full accreditation offerings.
• Enphase Installer Training: Enphase offers installer certification and microinverter/battery training programs for Australian electricians. Comparable audience and solar battery curriculum, but manufacturer-led and product-specific rather than a full multi-brand accreditation pathway.
• Fronius Solar Energy Training Academy: Fronius runs inverter and system installation training for electricians in Australia and globally. Comparable because it trains the same installer audience on solar inverter design and commissioning, but as a single-vendor manufacturer program rather than multi-brand accredited training.

Regional players

• Skillbuild / Energy Skills Australia: Vocational training provider delivering accredited trade and renewables courses to Australian apprentices and licensed electricians. Comparable training product and electrician audience, but typically operating in specific states rather than nationally across four cities like STC.

Broad incumbents

• Master Electricians Australia (Master Builders VIC/SA training arm): Industry association offering accredited training, CPD and licensing support across Australia. Comparable because it trains the same electrician base on solar and battery skills, but competes from a much broader electrical trade membership rather than specialising in solar.
• TAFE SA / TAFE QLD (Renewables & Electrical programs): Public technical and further education institutions offering accredited electrical and renewable energy courses including solar PV. Comparable as government-backed RTOs delivering overlapping qualifications, but operate at much larger scale and broader curriculum rather than solar-specialised.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=CeRLkhR1_ZQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solar-training-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Solar Training Centre