What Installers Are Seeing Across the Pacific Right Now

DPA recently attended the SEIAPI Conference in Suva, Fiji, bringing together solar companies, installers, government bodies, and industry stakeholders working across the Pacific. 

With around 200 attendees, the event highlighted the growing scale and importance of renewable energy across the region.

The event focused on a key theme: Transitioning to solar energy in the Pacific Islands

A phrase heard repeatedly throughout the conference was: “Electrification of Fiji and the Pacific.”

But beyond the theme, the value came from understanding what’s happening on the ground and what installers are dealing with across the region.

What’s Different in the Pacific

Working in the Pacific comes with a unique set of challenges:

• Remote locations and logistics
• Harsh environmental conditions
• Limited access to skilled labour
• High reliance on reliable, standalone systems 

These aren’t edge cases; they’re the reality for many projects.

Which means systems need to be designed and delivered with a strong focus on reliability and practicality.

What Installers Are Dealing With

Across discussions at the conference, several consistent themes emerged:

• The need for systems that perform reliably over time
• The importance of simple, practical installation and commissioning
• Ongoing challenges around workforce capability and training
• Increasing demand for solutions that can operate independently

These factors are shaping how projects are being specified and delivered across the region.

Recent work in Fiji reflects this, with solar and storage systems being deployed in remote communities to power schools, accommodation, and essential infrastructure.

These projects are delivered in environments where reliability, installation quality, and long-term performance are critical to day-to-day operation.

To see how this plays out in practice, we’ve included a recent project from Fiji below, showing how a complete solar and storage system was implemented in a remote school community.

Focus on Capability and Training 

A strong focus of the conference was on building local capability.

This included:

• training programs for contractors
• increasing workforce participation
• supporting long-term development of skilled installers in the region

There was also a clear emphasis on women in solar, with recent initiatives seeing all-female installation teams delivering systems in remote communities, including a group of 20 women who recently completed installations in the Yasawas.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of creating more supportive pathways into the industry, including mentorship and better on-site conditions.

Quality Over Cost 

Another strong message across the conference was the growing focus on installation standards and quality control.

There is increasing alignment around delivering systems that meet a high standard, rather than simply prioritising cost.

This is critical in building confidence for: 

• governments
• development agencies
• organisations such as the World Bank
• philanthropic contributors

Ensuring that systems are delivered properly supports long-term outcomes and gives confidence that funding is being used as intended.

DPA’s Role on the Ground

DPA was present throughout the conference, engaging with partners, installers, and stakeholders across the region. 

These conversations are critical.

They help ensure that what is being delivered:

• aligns with real project conditions
• supports installers in the field
• reflects the realities of working in remote and demanding environments

Gareth also contributed remotely, reinforcing the importance of staying connected across regions and projects.

The Atmosphere 

There was a strong sense of energy across the event.

The focus wasn’t on formalities or corporate presence, but on how the industry can collectively support communities through the delivery of renewable energy systems.

The emphasis remained on practical outcomes – enabling people, improving quality of life, and delivering systems that make a real difference.

Why This Matters 

The Pacific highlights what matters most:

• reliability
• simplicity
• long-term performance

Because when systems are deployed in remote locations, there is very little room for error.

Closing

The takeaway from the SEIAPI Conference is clear:

As solar adoption grows across the Pacific, the focus is shifting toward delivering systems that can perform consistently in real-world conditions.

DPA remains committed to working closely with partners and installers to support this transition, with solutions that are practical, reliable, and built for how systems are used.