Behind the Meter Vs Infront of the Meter
Behind-the-meter Vs In-front-of –the-meter: Why the Future of Renewables needs both
If you're working in renewables right now — first of all, hats off to you. Whether you’re stringing panels in the suburbs or managing grid integration for 300 MW wind farms, you’re part of one of the most exciting transformations Australia has ever seen.
But there’s a conversation I’ve been having a lot lately with candidates and clients alike:
“Where’s the real growth happening — small-scale or large-scale renewables?”
So, let’s break it down:
Small-Scale Technologies: Fast, Flexible & Close to Home
Rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs are the quiet achievers of the clean energy transition. We now have over 3.7 million rooftop solar systems installed across Australia — and that number keeps climbing. People love it because:
- It’s tangible — you can literally see the panels on your roof or drive your own energy source.
- It’s cost-effective — for households and small businesses, solar + battery setups can pay themselves off in under 5 years.
- It’s quick to deploy — unlike large-scale projects, there’s no long planning approval process.
We're also seeing rapid growth in EV charging infrastructure, virtual power plants (VPPs), and behind-the-meter tech. For recruiters like us, this means increased demand for:
- Solar installers
- Battery technicians
- EV infrastructure engineers
- Customer experience and product support roles for clean tech companies
Large-Scale Projects: Big Impact, Big Challenges
On the flip side — large-scale wind, solar, and storage projects. These are the mega-generators that power cities, not just homes. Projects like:
- Goyder South Stage 1 Wind Farm (SA) – 75 turbines, 412 MW
- Western Downs Green Power Hub (QLD) – the largest solar farm in Australia
- Snowy 2.0 and other pumped hydro projects
They make headlines — and rightly so. These big builds are critical for decarbonising heavy industry, replacing coal baseload, and supporting grid reliability. But they also face:
- Long development timelines
- Transmission bottlenecks
- Community resistance
- Significant skills shortages in project delivery, environmental approvals, and grid integration
Why We Need Both — And Why That’s Good for Your Career
Here's the truth: we don’t have the luxury of choosing one or the other.
Australia’s energy mix is shifting fast, and the smartest thing we can do is build a resilient, multi-layered system:
- Rooftop solar + batteries reduce peak demand and empower communities.
- Large-scale renewables drive economy-wide decarbonisation and power industry.
- EVs act as mobile batteries and shift demand curves in real time.
From a recruitment standpoint, this dual growth means opportunities across the entire ecosystem — from field-based technicians to power systems engineers, product designers, and policy advisors.
So Where Should You Focus?
That depends on where you want to grow. Ask yourself:
- Do you thrive in fast-moving, agile environments? Small-scale tech might be your thing.
- Prefer complex, large-scale engineering puzzles? Grid-scale wind and solar will keep you challenged.
- Want to shape the big picture? Policy, grid design, and community engagement are key growth areas.
Whatever your answer, there’s no wrong path — because the sector needs all of us.
Find the right step for your career
At Enemix Group, we talk to professionals across the spectrum — from solar startups to utility-scale developers — and the one constant we see is this: renewables are booming, but only when we balance the small and the large.
If you're in the sector and thinking about your next step — or just curious where things are heading — let’s chat.
👋 Connect with me or drop a message. I’d love to hear where you see the most potential — and how we can help you get there.
