Commercial and industrial solar is a growing market in Victoria, driven by rising energy costs, business decarbonisation goals and new building requirements under the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025. Under Section J9D5, affected commercial buildings must now install solar PV systems rather than simply allow for future installation.
The Federal Government has also committed to increasing the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) eligibility cap from 100 kW to 1 MW, allowing organisations to install solar systems from October up to ten times larger than currently supported. Read the media release here.
Compared with residential solar, commercial and industrial solar projects involve larger systems, more complex electrical arrangements, grid connection requirements, battery integration and additional compliance obligations.
To help meet industry demand, we are offering fully funded Commercial and Industrial Solar Design and Installation training through the Electrification Skills Program, a $5 million investment in subsidised training initiatives over three years.
The training supports electricians, solar installers, engineers and fourth-year apprentices to build the skills needed to design and deliver commercial and industrial solar projects. Places are limited.
The Electrification Skills Program supports the Victorian Government’s climate action ambitions and gas substitution reforms. These include reducing carbon emissions, phasing out natural gas connections, and transitioning to home electrification.
About Commercial and Industrial Solar Design and Installation training
This non-accredited course will provide electricians, solar installers, engineers and fourth-year apprentices seeking to upskill in the design and installation of commercial and industrial solar PV.
Fully funded places are available until end June 2027, or until the funding is exhausted, through:
Greenwood Academy
- 1-day in-person course covering all stages of the commercial solar project lifecycle.
- Location: Collingwood.
- CPD: 60 Solar Accreditation Australia CPD points upon completion.
Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES)
- Self-paced online course on commercial and industrial solar and battery projects.
- CPD: Up to 150 Solar Accreditation Australia CPD points upon completion.
New opportunities for your business
Completing this training can open new opportunities for your business if you also register as an accredited provider with Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
All Victorian businesses and non-residential sites, such as community buildings, schools and hospitals, are eligible to apply for discounts to install a solar PV system. Systems must be installed through a VEU accredited provider.
Check if you are eligible
Student eligibility is strictly limited to those who meet and can provide evidence of meeting the relevant course pre-requisites, including licensing requirements where relevant.
To be eligible you must be at least one of the following:
- a licensed electrician holding a current electrical work licence
- a solar installer with solar accreditation
- an engineer, project manager, or asset manager with relevant industry experience
- a fourth-year apprentice who has experience in installing, testing, and commissioning low voltage electrical installations.
What you will learn
With Greenwood Academy (in-person)
This one-day in person course in Commercial and Industrial Solar Design and Installation will cover:
- understanding what's involved from a commercial solar perspective
- preliminary costing: what is its role?
- government incentives e.g. small-scale technology certificates (STCs) and Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs)
- the aim of the site visit and the formal proposal
- project management solar panel differences on degradation/efficiency
- PV module framing systems
- inverters
- DC and earth cable and cable tray
- differences between primary and interface protection
- inverters to POS - calculating voltage rise
- gridsafe board rundown.
Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 60 Solar Accreditation Australia CPD points.
With Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (online)
This self-paced online course in Commercial and Industrial Solar and BESS Series will cover:
- project framework and standards landscape
- supply chain, procurement and logistics
- WHS and construction planning
- additional engineering coordination
- electrical design, point of connection and protection
- equipment selection
- cabling, thermal and cable management
- commissioning, testing and maintenance.
All modules are delivered online and are self-paced. The whole series takes approximately 5 to 10 hours to complete, including assessments.
Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded up to 150 Solar Accreditation Australia CPD points.
How to enrol
Information about how to enrol is available at:
- Greenwood Academy – in Collingwood
- Global Sustainable Energy Solutions – online
Revisit this website to keep informed about other opportunities available through the Electrification Skills Program or subscribe to our industry newsletter.
Training and workforce development
New opportunities are available through our $5 million Electrification Skills Program.
Solar Victoria industry training resources
Access training resources we funded to support industry to develop and upskill in clean energy and electrification.
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