2023 Conference Agenda
2023 SEIA VIC Annual Conference Geelong
17th & 18th of May 2023
The Winning Edge – Performance, Excellence and Profitability
Celebrating 10 years of SEIA VIC Solar Installer Conferences
Day 1 – Wednesday May, 17
8:00am
Presidents Room
Registration for the conference
Registration starts at 8AM Wednesday 17th May
9:00am
Presidents Room
Welcome to the conference and SEIA VIC business briefing time
Our President Brad McDonald will open the event
9:10AM
Presidents Room
Increasing the profitability of your business
By Silvio Marinelli, Highview Accounting & Financial
Advice from Silvio a Qualified Accountant and Registered Tax Agent, Qualified Financial Adviser Click here for more...
In his presentation Silvio will talk about how to make your Solar business thrive. He will outline some of the standards you should be following.
10:15AM
Main Foyer
Networking and product display – (Includes morning tea)
Lunch will be served in the main foyer where you can catch up with all of the sponsors. - Click here for more...
Here are the sponsors of the conference.
Platinum Sponsors
Solis Australia – Krannich – Supply Partners – Lotus Energy – Selectronic – Fronius – Clenergy – Solar Analytics – PowerPlus Energy – Goodwe – Solar Victoria – REC Solar
Gold Sponsors
Staunch Machinery – DPA Solar – JINKO SOLAR AUSTRALIA – NECA Victoria
Silver Sponsors
SolaZone – R&J Batteries – Aeson holdings – WINAICO
10:45AM
Presidents Room
PV Recycling & The Circular Economy
By Anthony Vippond, Lotus Energy
By 2050 it is projected that Australians will generate 1,532,000 tonnes of solar-PV waste, without an effective strategy, will end up in landfill. - Click here for more...
The Size of the Problem
100,000+ tonnes of solar-PV modules, inverters and batteries will enter Australia’s landfill every year.
88 percent of the 4 million computers and 3 million televisions purchased in Australia annually contribute to 140,000 tonnes of e-waste in landfill.
Solar panels 2-3 yrs old are being replaced prematurely from government, residential and commercial sites due to, building extensions storm damage solar-PV upgrades due to non-compatibility of materials and aesthetics.
11:30AM
Presidents Room
Transforming PV recycled silicon into high-energy battery anodes
By Dr Md Mokhlesur Rahman
A new process has been developed at Deakin University to repurpose PV recycled silicon into a nanosilicon/graphite hybrid formation for use in lithium-ion batteries. - Click here for more...
The solar cell industry utilizes high-quality silicon wafers to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) cells. A new process has been developed at Deakin University to repurpose PV recycled silicon into a nanosilicon/graphite hybrid formation for use in lithium-ion batteries. The battery using the PV nanosilicon/graphite anode displays excellent electrochemical performance, with a high charge capacity of 426mAh g-1 after 600 cycles, a rate capability of 215mAh g-1 at 5 C, and an average coulombic efficiency of 99.4%.
12:00PM
Presidents Room
Networking and product display – (Includes lunch)
Lunch will be served in the main foyer where you can catch up with all of the sponsors. - Click here for more...
Here are the sponsors of the conference.
Platinum Sponsors
Solis Australia – Krannich – Supply Partners – Lotus Energy – Selectronic – Fronius – Clenergy – Solar Analytics – PowerPlus Energy – Goodwe – Solar Victoria – REC Solar
Gold Sponsors
Staunch Machinery – DPA Solar – JINKO SOLAR AUSTRALIA – NECA Victoria
Silver Sponsors
SolaZone – R&J Batteries – Aeson holdings – WINAICO
1:15pm
Presidents Room
Australian Women In Solar Energy update
By Sophie Wright, Board member of AWISE – Director Geelong Vehicle Chargers
Sophie will give us an update on AWISE - Click here for more...
Australian Women in Solar Energy – AWISE are united towards a common goal of advancing women in all aspects of the solar energy industry, promoting diversity and forward thinking business practices. Offering a supportive and inclusive environment for women. for more information www.awise.com.au
1:40pm
Presidents Room
EV Charging
By Dean Xue, SMA Australia
EV Charging technical functionalities - Click here for more...
EV Charging technical functionalities: Intelligent charging modes, fast Charge-PV, optimised forecast-based blackout, protection charging mode selected via rotary switch or app monitoring via SMA Energy app SMA Smart Connected..
– Planning.
– Installation.
– Commissioning.
– Q&A.
2:50pm
Main Foyer
Networking and product display
(Includes afternoon tea)
Afternoon tea will be served in the main foyer where you can catch up with all of the sponsors. - Click here for more...
Here are the sponsors of the conference.
Platinum Sponsors
Solis Australia – Krannich – Supply Partners – Lotus Energy – Selectronic – Fronius – Clenergy – Solar Analytics – PowerPlus Energy – Goodwe – Solar Victoria – REC Solar
Gold Sponsors
Staunch Machinery – DPA Solar – JINKO SOLAR AUSTRALIA – NECA Victoria
Silver Sponsors
SolaZone – R&J Batteries – Aeson holdings – WINAICO
3:15pm
Presidents Room
Engineering principles for PV mounting design and AS 1170.2:2021
Yuneska Harris, Clenergy
The training session aims to educate professionals in the solar installation industry about the recent changes to AS1170.2:2021 - Click here for more...
Event Description: The Australian Standard which governs the structural requirements for solar installations. The session will help attendees understand how these changes can impact budget and installation times for new PV installations, and how to apply engineering principles to define these conditions to ensure safe installations.
The session is designed for solar installation professionals including engineers, project managers, contractors, and installers.
Expected Outcomes: Attendees will gain an understanding of the recent changes to AS1170.2:2021 and the impact on PV mounting systems design and installation. They will learn how to apply engineering principles to define structural conditions for safe installations, and gain insights from case studies of installations that have implemented the new standard
4:30pm
Presidents Room
DAY 1 Wrap up & close
President Brad McDonald will close Day 1 with final comments
6:00pm
Social Club
Networking / Sponsor drinks
Pre dinner Networking drinks. We thank the following sponsors: - Click here for more...
Pre-dinner drinks are supplied by the following sponsors:
Solis Australia
Supply Partners
Lotus Energy
Goodwe
JINKO SOLAR AUSTRALIA
7:00pm
Social Club
Dinner Event
2 course dinner with acoustic entertainer & guest speakers from the Geelong AFLW Football club:
Dan Lowther (Senior coach AFLW ) & Brett Johnson (Head of AFLW and Football Pathways).
2 course dinner with entertainment and special speakers - Click here for more...
2 course dinner with acoustic entertainer & guest speakers from the Geelong AFLW Football club:
Dan Lowther (Senior coach AFLW ) & Brett Johnson (Head of AFLW and Football Pathways).
Day 2 – Thursday May, 18
8:00am
Presidents Room
Day 2 registration
Registration starts at 8AM Thursday 18th May
9:00am
Presidents Room
Conference day opening
Our President Brad McDonald will open the event
9:05am
Presidents Room
Changing training packages – Are you competent?
By Andy Heath, Gordon TAFE Geelong
Training packages are constantly changing - Click here for more...
Training packages are constantly changing and I am going to very briefly discuss how this may impact on you if you wish to undertake further studies in the solar industry. The impact of training package changes, pre-requisites and the currency of competence coming head to head with the credit transfer, RPL and real world industry skills and knowledge. What could it cost you in the end?
Bio:
I have been teaching in the training sector and industry for approximately 20 years, the last 16 years in TAFE.
I became involved in training in the Grid Connect Solar industry in the heydays in roughly 2009/10 and enjoyed teaching in this field. I was quick to jump on board with battery storage and was a part of the pilot program with the NETS program that commenced in 2018 in lieu of the National units of competency for battery storage design and install that some of you may have completed, as well as the Working Safely in Solar rollout and pilot program with Solar Victoria and Future Energy Skills (FES).
I am an electrician by trade and completed my Advanced Certificate in Industrial Electronics, various iterations of the Design and Install Grid connect units of competency and the NETS Course in battery storage design and install. I hold various iterations of the Cert IV in workplace training and assessing as well as a Graduate Diploma in Technology Education. I am presently working at The Gordon TAFE in Geelong and enjoy working with apprentices as well as trades people to facilitate their training towards their future careers.
9:25am
Presidents Room
Working Safely in the Solar Industry
By Peter Booth, WORKSAFE
TBA
9:45am
Presidents Room
Solar Inverter Compliance
By Ausnet & Citipower/Powercor/United Energy
Network connection specialists from both DNSPs - Click here for more...
Session includes:
– Impacts to our network and customers, incl. Overview of our new “Smart Inverter Compliance” process rolled out in Oct 1st 2022 and covering what we need from Solar Installers.
– Electricity Industry Transition incl. Overview of the future changes and challenges & Citipower/Powercor are doing as a network to prepare for the energy transition (DOE, LV DERMS)
Q&A at end of distributor sessions.
10:25am
Presidents Room
PV and Battery connections
By Louis Knoops, NECA
Increased capacity and what this does to existing and new switchboards.
Many switchboards now will need to accommodate greater electrical loads, EV charges, air conditioners, induction cooktops, and the requirements to meet the national construction codes in design and future proofing as we accommodate more renewable sources of supply. One of the concerns is capacity and what this does to existing and new switchboards. Additional loads on busbars and cabling is affected in design.
With the growing trend towards battery back up in the residential scene. What requirements are necessary when you alter that switchboard when a multiple mode inverter back up circuits are connect? What type of RCD? Do I need to change those existing circuits? How about the N-E connection. All these things are important to providing the necessary safety of the installation.
How about protection of DC cables? Are you protecting them correctly? Are your AC cables of correct size under certain conditions relating to your design of the PV array?
10:55am
Main Foyer
Networking, Product Display, Morning tea
Morning tea will be served in the main foyer where you can catch up with all of the sponsors. - Click here for more...
Here are the sponsors of the conference.
Platinum Sponsors
Solis Australia – Krannich – Supply Partners – Lotus Energy – Selectronic – Fronius – Clenergy – Solar Analytics – PowerPlus Energy – Goodwe – Solar Victoria – REC Solar
Gold Sponsors
Staunch Machinery – DPA Solar – JINKO SOLAR AUSTRALIA – NECA Victoria
Silver Sponsors
SolaZone – R&J Batteries – Aeson holdings – WINAICO
11:40am
Presidents Room
Energy Safe Victoria
By – Sandy Atkins
You can't ask that! - Click here for more...
Energy Safe Victoria – Sandy Atkins
Clean Energy Council – Robbie Nicholls
Clean Energy Regulator – Amanda Brown
Solar Victoria – Carmen Pace
Will all be available to answer all of your questions
12:00pm
Presidents Room
Clean Energy Council
By Robbie Nicholls
Q&A with all industry bodies
You can't ask that! - Click here for more...
Energy Safe Victoria – Sandy Atkins
Clean Energy Council – Robbie Nicholls
Clean Energy Regulator – Amanda Brown
Solar Victoria – Carmen Pace
Will all be available to answer all of your questions
12:20pm
Presidents Room
Clean Energy Regulator
By Amanda Brown
Energy Safe Victoria – Sandy Atkins
Clean Energy Council – Robbie Nicholls
Clean Energy Regulator – Amanda Brown
Solar Victoria – Carmen Pace
Will all be available to answer all of your questions
12:40pm
Presidents Room
Solar Victoria
By – Carmen Pace
Energy Safe Victoria – Sandy Atkins
Clean Energy Council – Robbie Nicholls
Clean Energy Regulator – Amanda Brown
Solar Victoria – Carmen Pace
Will all be available to answer all of your questions
1:00pm
Presidents Room
Q&A with all industry bodies
You can't ask that! - Click here for more...
Energy Safe Victoria – Sandy Atkins
Clean Energy Council – Robbie Nicholls
Clean Energy Regulator – Amanda Brown
Solar Victoria – Carmen Pace
Will all be available to answer all of your questions
1:20pm
Main Foyer
Networking, Product Display, (Including Lunch)
Lunch will be served in the main foyer where you can catch up with all of the sponsors. - Click here for more...
Here are the sponsors of the conference.
Platinum Sponsors
Solis Australia – Krannich – Supply Partners – Lotus Energy – Selectronic – Fronius – Clenergy – Solar Analytics – PowerPlus Energy – Goodwe – Solar Victoria – REC Solar
Gold Sponsors
Staunch Machinery – DPA Solar – JINKO SOLAR AUSTRALIA – NECA Victoria
Silver Sponsors
SolaZone – R&J Batteries – Aeson holdings – WINAICO
2:30pm
Presidents Room
Solar Panel Warranties Before & After
By John Degotardi, Manufacturer Relations Director & Andrew Thomson – Technical Team
Very commonly where we see costs incurred that are being borne by the installer is when they attend site, perform tests and do not record the results appropriately. This results in a return trip to site and more frustration for the end user. - Click here for more...
In this session you will learn about:
- The importance of selecting a solar panel manufacturer who is likely to be around in the future to be able to honour a warranty claim
- Criteria that can be used to look for a low risk panel manufacturer (Blue chip)
A longer panel warranty can be worthless if the panel manufacturer is no longer around to process a claim - Reputable panel manufacturers will typically improve a product bill of materials before offering a longer warranty. Offering a longer warranty on a standard bill of materials for a boost in sales can be a risk to the business long term
3:00pm
Presidents Room
Cartel conduct – when businesses agree to act together instead of competing with each other
By ACCC
How to identify, detect and report possible cartel conduct - Click here for more...
How to identify, detect and report possible cartel conduct and so the request has been forwarded to my team. The focus of our outreach program is to provide businesses with the tools to identify and detect possible cartel conduct and what steps can be taken in those circumstances, and we would welcome the opportunity to present to your members.
3:40pm
Presidents Room
Legalities of using and being a sub-contractor
By Saras Varatharajullu, NECA legal team
The obligations of head contractors and sub-contractors - Click here for more...
This presentation will include:
Constructive Legal Solutions’ Commercial Lawyer Saras Varatharajullu will be covering the obligations of head contractors and sub-contractors, what sub-contractor agreements should contain and how to resolve disputes when they arise.
4:25pm
Presidents Room
SEIA VIC Forum Includes PRIZE Draw
By David Tolliday SEIA VIC Committee Member
Time to ask questions to your SEIA VIC team - Click here for more...
This is a time when you can find out more about your organisation.
Also includes a major prize drawer. Last year Froius gave away an inverter. Other prizes are on offer. You must be in attendance to WIN.
4:40pm
Presidents Room
Conference Close
Safe travels and we will see you next year!
Register Now!
About our yearly conference.
The Solar Energy Installers Association of Victoria Conference brings together a mixture of older experienced Installers who have the practical knowledge of years of experience, and younger innovative Installers that are all over new technology. The experience at this conference can’t be found anywhere. It is this great knowledge mix that keeps our conference attendees coming back year after year!