Throughout February and March 2026, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) delivered a 10-stop New South Wales (NSW) Essential Energy Roadshow, bringing installers face-to-face with regulators, networks and technology providers ahead of a new wave of compliance and grid integration requirements.
As a non-profit industry body, the SEIA advocates for installer and retailer interests, supporting policy development and providing practical guidance to help solar and installer businesses remain viable as the market matures. Held in regional centres including Wagga Wagga, Orange, Griffith, Ballina and Dubbo, the free workshops as part of the NSW Essential Energy Roadshow hosted by SEIA were designed to support rooftop solar and battery installers navigating an increasingly complex operating environment.
A key drawcard for workshop attendees was the opportunity to earn Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points, now a mandatory requirement under the Clean Energy Regulator framework introduced in 2024. Delivered through Solar Accreditation Australia, the scheme requires accredited designers and installers to complete 100 CPD points annually to maintain accreditation under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. According to the Clean Energy Council, the framework is intended to ensure installer capability keeps pace with rapid changes in technology, standards and regulation.
Workshops focused on upcoming grid connection changes, lithium battery safety, gateway device integration and new compliance processes. Representatives from Essential Energy outlined the introduction of the Emergency Backstop Mechanism and the Customer Energy Resource Installer Portal, both set to become mandatory for new and upgraded systems from mid-2026. The portal is expected to streamline system registration, testing and compliance documentation, while the backstop mechanism will enable networks to manage distributed energy resources in real time to maintain grid stability.
Compliance reform extended beyond network requirements. From 1 March 2026, installers must submit Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Work via the Building Commission NSW eCert portal, replacing paper-based processes entirely. The shift reflects a broader move towards digitised compliance and improved data visibility across the sector.
Technical sessions from R&J Batteries and Catch Power highlighted the growing importance of battery safety, system design and grid-responsive technologies. With lithium battery adoption accelerating, installers were briefed on international safety standards, thermal management and emerging system architectures designed to support increasingly constrained networks.
For installers in attendance, it was clear that as rooftop solar reaches higher levels of uptake among households and businesses, continued success in their roles will depend on their understanding of evolving compliance, integration and technical capability standards.
