Nigel Morris – Business Development Director – Solar Analytics

Nigel Morris has been involved in the solar industry for more than 25 years in almost every aspect  including manufacturing, installing, selling and designing solar, monitoring and storage systems around the world.

Prior to joining Solar Analytics he was: – Chief Executive Officer of RoofJuice, a premium solar retailer – Founded Solar Business Services acting as a consultant, analyst, industry advisor and business coach –He was a senior manager at BP Solar for almost twelve years as well as a director, installer and salesperson at a medium sized solar company . He is a prolific blogger, sits on a number of advisory boards in the solar industry and is a proud solar citizen and electric motorcycle owner.

Digitization of Solar – How software is being used to help solar owners and solar retailers

Solar used to be all about hardware. But increasingly, software is becoming the key to success through remote control and enhanced transparency. As margins shrink, solar retailers need to find ways to drive increased efficiency, simpler customer service and better targeting. Nigel Morris will describe how the digitization of energy is transforming solar.

Justin Skaines, Belec&BlecEng (Hons)., Energy Storage Manager,  R & J Batteries

Justin has been working in the battery industry for 22 years. Specialising in the renewable energy sector since 2006. He has held a design and installation accreditation which is currently deferred. Working full-time with R & J Batteries heading up the Renewable Energy division with a specific interest in the BAE product from Berlin Germany.

Lead Acid, Lithium and Hydrogen Batteries Design & installation differences

Different chemistries and characteristics of 1. lead, 2. lithium. 3. hydrogen with information on Lavo and how it compares to established technologies.

David Shirley, MSc, BSc Eng. Product Manager, Selectronic

David was a Director of Engineering for Global Project Business at Clenergy, being responsible for planning the business development and EPC in renewable solar farms in Australia, adhering to Australian standards, as well as developing overseas projects. Former founding member and Production/Development Engineering Manager at RayGen Resources Pty Ltd. He also owned and managed a small solar installer company operating in residential and commercial space across Australia, which included off-grid battery systems, deployed from 2010 onwards. He has a Masters in Engineering in Renewable Energy (MSc Eng.) from RMIT University and a Bachelor in Robotics (BSc Eng.) from Swinburne University. He is a hands-on mechatronics engineering manager in pursuit of innovation and science.

The Impact of AS4777.2.2020 on battery inverters

Understanding differences between AS4777-2015 vs. -2020 including impacts on inverter manufacturers’ as well as installers. Wider implications around grid and inverter performance, highlighting key changes and considerations. Response times of battery systems. Export limiting. Grid voltage window and inverter choice impacts on LCOE and much more.

Craig Hunter,  Product Manager, PowerPlus Energy

A Renewable Energy Professional with 24 years Solar and Battery Storage experience, he has an enjoyment for learning and strives to have sound knowledge of products, applications and market dynamics. Craig has demonstrated expertise in Battery Storage, Management, Business Development and Sales, with strong skills in developing an maintaining relationships. He is a firm believer in making choices that will benefit long term sustainable outcomes, reducing living costs and impacts on the environments around us.

Lithium Battery fires, risks and mitigation

Find out more about home storage battery fires, Lithium chemistries and Battery constructions types and their fire risks. Putting out a lithium fire and how to prevent fires with Best Practice installations.

Scott Young – Co-Founder and Sales and Marketing Manager – CATCH Power

Scott has been in the renewable energy industry for more than 23 years.  He is co-founder of CATCH Power and has been helping solar businesses and their customer find solutions to increase self-consumption of PV energy.  CATCH Power are now looking at ways to match the control of loads, output of solar inverters, and network wide co-ordination to help the rush to the energy transition that is needed.

How to Lift the “Silicon Ceiling” of Grid-Connected Solar

The renewable energy industry is subjected constant constraint and limitation, but this won’t get us to the energy transition that is needed.  What has to happen to lift the lid on unlimited solar being installed into our grid? What tools or technology can be deployed to speed up the energy transition and allow for more solar to be deployed into the grid?

Geoff Bragg, Consultant Solar Power Designer, The Solar Man

Geoff Bragg has lived with off-grid solar for many years and has been working in the industry since 2002, holding accreditation for both on and off-grid design and installation. He is a consultant designer /installation supervisor for New England Solar Power, a residential & commercial PV retailer in the Northern Tablelands, regional NSW as well as an auditor and licensed electrician. Periodically, Geoff holds short training courses on PV basics in Australia and for the growing New Zealand market. Geoff is a Committee Member of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and the Australian Solar Council.

AS/NZS 4777.2 :2020 Inverters and BESS – what to look for and where

PV Inverters, Multimode Inverters and Battery Energy Storage Systems that have built-in inverters must now comply with AS/NZS4777.2 : 2020. This presentation will explain how inverter manufacturers comply, where and what to look for.

Thomas Bywater – Electrician, CEC Accredited Installer + PV Engineer , Senior Sales Manager – Australia & NZ Distribution – Jinko

Thomas Bywater is an engineer working for Jinko Solar in Sydney. Over the last decade in solar, Thomas has worked across the value chain as an installer, project engineer, wholesale rep and now for a manufacturer. His career highlight is eating hotpot with Shi Zhengrong.

The Gold Standard : Advantages and Practical Considerations for AS5033:2021

From Changes to DC Isolator Requirements, Wiring Strategies, Identifying & Locating Disconnection Points to MC4 Considerations, Labeling and Changes to Scope + Voltage this session will look at the practical considerations when installing solar.

Rick Brazzale, BComm, MBA – Managing Director, Green Energy Trading

 Ric Brazzale is the Managing Director of Green Energy Trading and has more than 30 years’ experience in the energy sector.

Prior to establishing Green Energy Trading in 2007, Ric was the Executive Director of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), now the Clean Energy Council, and a leading advocate for renewable energy and energy efficiency markets in Australia. During this time, Ric was actively involved in the development and implementation of a broad range of solar energy and energy efficiency policies and programs, including participating on the Government’s initial REC Advisory Committee.

Before joining the BCSE, Ric worked in a number of business development and finance roles with large publicly listed companies, including Fletcher Challenge Energy, John Holland and Woodside Petroleum.

Update on the Solar market and changes to the SRES taking place

Once again Rick will provide us with an Industry Snapshot and Directions before filling us in about the changes to the SRES in detail and implications for compliance.

Warwick Crowfoot – Non Network Solutions Manager – Essential Energy

Warwick is a distribution network specialist with over 25 years of experience in construction, design, and management of distribution networks for DNSP’s in NSW. Warwick specialises in utility grade standalone power systems, Network Batteries and Microgrids by collaborating with industry leaders to establish renewable technology as business-as-usual products for Essential Energy. Warwick works in Essential Energy’s new Strategy and Future Networks division and is tasked with delivering the requirements to operationalise new technology and creating new BAU products for Essential Energy

Essential Energy Approach to Non Network Solutions

Find out what Essential Energy’s approach to Non Network Solutions will be and how you as the installer can become involved.

Warwick will provide an overview of the Fringe of Grid Network, the SAPS Regulatory Framework and customer engagement and the Microgrids & Network Resilience.

Solar Installers- Your Conference, your forum, your say

What is happening in our industry? This is your opportunity to tell us your needs, your likes, your discontentment.

What are your experiences in the industry, what actions do you think need to be taken, what improvements for a better and safer solar industry can be made?

Business Succession Planning – merging, selling, closing, or reinventing your business structure. With some of our solar pioneers and veterans (and younger ones) considering full or part time retirement we will explore the options available.