Only Panels - Solar Installer Chats

Michael Stott and Dan Holliday

The place where solar installers talk real solar. Hosted by Michael Stott from East Renewables and Dan Holliday from DMH Electrical and Renewables, we’re here to lift the lid on what’s actually happening in the UK renewables industry. From solar panel installs to battery storage, EV charging, in-roof vs on-roof systems, G99 applications, DNO headaches, and the gear we rate (and slate) — it’s all on the table. Our mission? To bring together as many fellow installers as possible — to share knowledge, challenge poor practices, and help raise standards across the industry.

  1. 22/09/2025

    🎙️EP11 – Van der Valk at Solar & Storage Live: Game-Changing Mounting Systems Explained

    We’ve dropped this one a day early ahead of Solar & Storage Live! In Episode 11 of Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, Michael and Dan are joined by Phil Joly from Van der Valk Solar Systems to talk about all things mounting: 🔹 The shift from Strongline to the new Valk Ace – what’s changed and why installers are switching 🔹 One hook that does both vertical & horizontal – the game-changer for tricky roofs 🔹 Cable management, optimiser clamps, and the “third hand” feature that saves time on site 🔹 The new ValkPro+ Next Gen flat-roof system designed for today’s larger panels 🔹 How installer feedback is shaping product improvements 🔹 Where to find Van der Valk at Solar & Storage Live 2025 – Stand D110 + daily Installer Hub training sessions Van der Valk Installer Hub Training Times (NEC): • Tuesday – 14:00 & 14:20 • Wednesday – 12:00 & 12:20 • Thursday – 12:20 & 12:40 Plus, we get into impact drivers, hats, and why Dan reckons Phil owes him new tools… If you’re heading to the NEC this week, this is the perfect listen for the drive down. Then pop over to the Van der Valk stand (D110) and get hands-on with their kit. Chapters / Highlights: 00:01 – Intro & why we’re early for Solar & Storage Live 01:29 – Meet Phil Joly, Van der Valk Solar Systems 03:19 – Valk Ace launch and feedback from installers 08:22 – Strongline vs Ace: price, performance & installer response 12:00 – The “third hand” feature, hooks & hardware tweaks 20:22 – Two impact drivers and the hat moment 26:00 – Cable management & full mounting system solutions 28:04 – ValkPro+ Next Gen flat-roof mounting for big panels 36:34 – Awards, tools, and looking ahead 🎧 Listen now on Spotify & YouTube 📍 Meet Van der Valk at Solar & Storage Live 2025, Stand D110 #Solar #MountingSystems #VanDerValk #SolarAndStorageLive #SolarInstallers #OnlyPanelsPodcast

    43 min
  2. 17/09/2025

    🎙️EP10 – How Big Should Your Solar System Be? With Oli from Zinc Electrical

    In this episode of Only Panels, Michael and Dan are joined by Oli from Zinc Electrical to unpack one of the biggest questions in solar: how do you size a solar PV system properly? We kick things off with highlights from Elex Coventry — including the Safe Isolate stand and plenty of installer chatter — before diving into real-world solar design. Topics we cover: Should you design a solar system based on household consumption, maximise roof space, or stick to a set budget? The “120% rule” explained – why oversizing panels or inverters can actually improve performance. Inverter sizing myths: why a smaller inverter can sometimes generate more power over the year. Battery storage challenges – charge/discharge rates, hybrid inverters, and when to add batteries later. Real-life analogies to make sense of kWp, kWh, and inverter ratings (think: car top speed vs speed limit 🚗⚡). How to future-proof PV systems for EV charging, heat pumps, and growing family usage. Oli also shares his personal journey: leaving corporate IT sales, training with Oval Renewables, and eventually launching Zinc Electrical. We talk about the realities of being a one-man-band installer, the importance of community in the UK renewables sector, and balancing business with family life. Whether you’re a solar installer, an electrician moving into PV, or a homeowner thinking about solar panels and battery storage, this episode gives you practical insights into how systems are really designed — and why no two installs are ever the same. 📺 Watch on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts #Solar #SolarPanels #Inverters #BatteryStorage #Renewables #OnlyPanels #Podcast #InstallerLife #SolarDesign #SolarPV #HeatPumps #EVCharging

    51 min
  3. 10/09/2025

    🎙️EP9 – Where’s SolarEdge Gone? Why I’m Not Using It Anymore

    SolarEdge has been a household name in solar installs for years. Optimisers, panel-level monitoring, fire safety integration, strong warranties — it was the system many of us trusted and fitted as standard. But in 2025, something feels different. You don’t see SolarEdge as much on roofs, in installer groups, or even across social media. Other brands have grabbed the spotlight. So the question is: Where’s SolarEdge gone? And why are some of us no longer using it? In this episode, Michael and Dan have an open and honest chat about their experiences with SolarEdge — the good, the bad, and the future. 🔋 The battery problem – Why the Energy Bank is seen as too big, too heavy, and sometimes too late. We compare it to alternatives like Sigenergy and Anker SOLIX, and ask whether the new Nexus modular system can close the gap. ⚡ Optimisers explained – More than just shade mitigation. How panel degradation, voltage balancing, and DC safety set SolarEdge apart… and whether competitors are catching up. 🔥 Safety and insurance – Rapid shutdown, DC arc detection, and the growing pressure from insurers for safer installs. We ask if SolarEdge still has the edge, or if other brands are stepping in. 🛠️ Real installer experiences – From heavy warranty swaps to the reality of lifting a 110kg battery, we share stories straight from site. 🔄 Warranties and backwards compatibility – The upside of long product support, but also the challenge of steering a “big old tanker” in a fast-moving market. 🌍 The bigger picture – How SolarEdge’s global operations, Israeli roots, and shifts to US manufacturing might shape its future. 🔮 What next? – Will the Nexus range spark a comeback, or is it too little too late? SolarEdge isn’t just another inverter company — it helped define panel-level optimisation and set the standard for safety. But as new players enter the market with sleeker batteries, simpler commissioning, and flashy marketing, installers are questioning whether SolarEdge is still the best choice. For customers, it raises important questions too: if your installer no longer uses SolarEdge, should you? If you already have it on your roof, what does the future look like for your system? Michael admits he doesn’t install SolarEdge as much anymore — and explains why. Dan remains a huge fan of the technology and is excited to see what’s next. Together, they explore the balance between installer preference, customer needs, and industry innovation. Whether you’re an installer, supplier, or homeowner curious about your solar options, this is an episode packed with insights. 🎧 Tune in to hear where SolarEdge stands today, what went wrong, and whether it can win back the market in 2025 and beyond. What we cover in this episode:Why this matters:Our take:

    31 min

About

The place where solar installers talk real solar. Hosted by Michael Stott from East Renewables and Dan Holliday from DMH Electrical and Renewables, we’re here to lift the lid on what’s actually happening in the UK renewables industry. From solar panel installs to battery storage, EV charging, in-roof vs on-roof systems, G99 applications, DNO headaches, and the gear we rate (and slate) — it’s all on the table. Our mission? To bring together as many fellow installers as possible — to share knowledge, challenge poor practices, and help raise standards across the industry.