Just Another Solar Podcast

Just Another Solar Podcast

Join Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson for a down-to-earth update on what’s happening in the Australian solar industry.With regular guests we discuss technology, events and business issues facing anyone involved in solar, storage or electric vehicles. 

  1. MAR 26

    #104 - Compliance Crunch w/ Simon Ceglinski

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Just Another Solar Podcast, we're joined by guest co-host Simon Ceglinski (PowerPlus Energy) to unpack what’s really happening in Australia’s solar and battery market. From compliance blowouts and battery standards through to tariffs, policy shifts, and mounting market pressure this is a straight-talking look at the challenges (and opportunities) facing the industry right now. They dive into system sizing, EV-driven demand, manufacturer realities, and where the smart money is heading next plus a few honest takes on industry culture and leadership along the way. This episode is proudly brought to you by GoodWe Australia, a trusted partner to Australian solar retailers and installers, delivering reliable inverter and energy storage solutions designed for real-world conditions and backed by a strong local team. Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice.  00:00:00 Opening and Introductions 00:03:10 Early Banter and Catch-Up 00:06:20 Compliance and Industry Complexity 00:09:40 Battery Standards and Testing Issues 00:13:00 Policy Changes and Market Impact 00:16:20 Industry Reactions and Adjustments 00:20:45 Leadership Changes and Legacy 00:23:00 Industry Culture and Relationships 00:26:00 Personal Stories and Mindset 00:29:20 Living Well and Work Balance 00:32:00 Market Pressures and Competition 00:35:20 Manufacturer Challenges Explained 00:38:00 Battery Strategy and System Sizing 00:41:20 Commercial Opportunities Discussion 00:44:10 Technology and Product Trends 00:47:20 EVs and Energy Usage Shifts 00:50:40 Tariffs and Grid Incentives 00:53:30 Compliance and Reporting Issues 00:56:00 Industry Criticism and Standards 00:59:30 Final Thoughts and Advice 01:01:30 Wrap-Up and Farewells

    1h 5m

  2. MAR 9

    #103 - Solar Shake-Up w/ Dan Lanzetta

    Send us Fan Mail This week we’re joined by Dan Lanzetta from Smart Energy Answers for a wide-ranging chat on what’s really happening in the Australian solar market right now. We get into the leadership shake-ups at the Smart Energy Council, what shifting policy settings mean on the ground, and why solar credits and incentives are becoming harder for customers (and installers) to make sense of. Dan shares frontline insights from running one of the country’s largest solar businesses — from dealing with misinformation and changing customer expectations to navigating compliance and market volatility. It’s a practical look at where the industry is heading, what installers should be watching, and how solar businesses can position themselves for the next phase of growth. This episode is proudly brought to you by GoodWe Australia, a trusted partner to Australian solar retailers and installers, delivering reliable inverter and energy storage solutions designed for real-world conditions and backed by a strong local team. Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice.  Timestamps 0:00:00 Podcast Kickoff and Introductions  0:03:05 Weekend Plans and Travel Talk  0:06:20 Industry Changes Begin  0:09:35 Smart Energy Council Developments  0:12:40 Leadership Changes in the Industry  0:15:55 Reactions to Recent Announcements  0:19:10 Market Shifts and Business Impact  0:22:25 Opportunities Emerging in Solar  0:25:40 Policy Changes and Incentives  0:28:55 Explaining Solar Credits  0:32:10 Common Customer Misconceptions  0:35:20 Sales Conversations and Strategy  0:38:35 Lessons From the Field  0:41:50 Technology and Product Evolution  0:45:05 Solar Economics Explained  0:48:20 Predictions for the Industry  0:51:35 Risks and Market Realities  0:54:50 Advice for Installers and Teams  0:58:05 Key Takeaways From the Discussion  1:01:20 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up  1:04:30 Closing Banter and Sign-Off

    1h 9m

  3. FEB 24

    #102 - The Electrification Boom w/ Jamie Marciniak

    Send us Fan Mail This week on JASP we unpack the shifting energy landscape — WA policy changes, electricity pricing reforms, and the battery rush ahead of May. What happens when rebates taper? Are we building a sustainable market, or just riding the surge? We debate big-box battery plays, VPP expectations, compliance across states, and the “invisible savings” problem facing the industry. Plus, a look at how AI is reshaping solar business operations behind the scenes. Jamie Marciniak joins us to share his journey and the thinking behind delivering fully integrated home electrification solutions — and where the real opportunity sits next. This episode is proudly brought to you by GoodWe Australia, a trusted partner to Australian solar retailers and installers, delivering reliable inverter and energy storage solutions designed for real-world conditions and backed by a strong local team. Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice.  00:00:00 Welcome & Catch-Up 00:03:20 Podcast Feedback Debate 00:06:45 Renewables Hit Majority 00:10:05 Battery Rush Before May 00:13:30 Market After Rebates 00:16:10 Big-Box Battery Debate 00:18:25 Industry Support Stories 00:21:00 Guest Introduction 00:23:40 What Mack Trade Does 00:27:05 VPP Programs Explained 00:30:30 Battery Owner Expectations 00:33:55 Invisible Savings Problem 00:37:10 Retailer Targets Delayed 00:40:30 Price Variation Events 00:44:10 Compliance Across States 00:48:05 AI and Customer Support 00:52:10 Accessibility and Hardship 00:56:00 Final Reflections 01:01:20 Wrap-Up and Thanks

    1h 3m

  4. FEB 2

    #101 - What Grinds My Gears w/ Merrily Hunter

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we unpack what’s really happening in Australia’s solar and battery market — from record-breaking renewable penetration and the rush on batteries ahead of rebate changes, to the growing complexity of VPPs, compliance, and customer expectations. Joined by Merrily Hunter from Mac Trade Services, we dive into how VPP programs actually work across different states, why inconsistent regulations and shifting retailer targets are creating friction, and how data, automation, and customer support are becoming just as critical as hardware as the energy transition speeds up. This episode is proudly brought to you by GoodWe Australia, a trusted partner to Australian solar retailers and installers, delivering reliable inverter and energy storage solutions designed for real-world conditions and backed by a strong local team. Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice.  0:03:50 Podcast Feedback Debate 0:07:10 Renewables Hit Majority 0:10:45 Battery Boom Before May 0:14:40 Market After Rebates 0:16:40 Bunnings Battery Debate 0:18:55 Industry Support Stories 0:21:20 Guest Introduction 0:24:30 What Mack Trade Does 0:28:10 VPP Programs Explained 0:32:50 Battery Owner Expectations 0:36:30 Invisible Savings Problem 0:39:30 Retailer Targets Delayed 0:44:10 Price Variation Events 0:49:55 Compliance Across States 0:54:20 AI & Customer Support 0:58:40 Accessibility & Hardship 1:02:05 Final Reflections 1:06:40 Wrap-Up & Thanks

    1h 9m

  5. JAN 19

    #100 - Amber Unfiltered w/ Carlos Garcia

    Send us Fan Mail Carlos Garcia from Amber Electric joins Just Another Solar Podcast to break down how Australia’s wholesale electricity market really works — including negative pricing, smart energy usage, batteries, EVs, and why real-time data is becoming critical for both households and installers. We unpack the growing disconnect between traditional retail models and wholesale pricing, the challenges around transparency, and what the energy transition actually means on the ground for consumers and the trade as the grid gets more complex.  This episode is proudly brought to you by GoodWe Australia, supporting Australian solar retailers and installers with reliable inverters and energy storage solutions built for real-world conditions and backed by a strong local presence. Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice.  Episode chapters 1:00:00 Intro & Welcome Back 1:03:00 Industry Catch-Up After the Break 1:07:30 Customer Calls, Friends & Family 1:12:00 Solar Industry Burnout & Workload 1:14:00 Episode 100 Milestone 1:16:45 Sponsors & Installer Training 1:17:55 Introducing the Guest: Carlos Garcia 1:21:30 Amber Electric Overview 1:25:10 Wholesale Pricing Explained 1:29:45 Negative Pricing & Smart Usage 1:34:40 Real-World Energy Use Examples 1:38:10 Batteries, EVs & Load Shifting 1:42:00 Australian Solar Manufacturing 1:46:30 Data Access & Installer Trust 1:50:30 Battery Sales & Referral Concerns 1:55:10 System Efficiency & Energy Loss 1:00:00 Final Questions & Industry Warnings 1:02:10 Closing Thoughts & Thanks

    1h 5m

  6. 12/24/2025

    #99 - 2025 Solar Wrapped

    Send us Fan Mail It’s the year of the battery… and everything’s on fire (mostly metaphorically). Luke, Nigel, Jess and Karl rip into Australia’s battery boom — unpacking rebate changes, installer sign-off limits, AC vs DC battery beef, free-power price signals, and why half the country wants a home battery immediately. Along the way they call out dodgy installs, argue about who actually owns the mess when systems break, debate whether vehicle-to-grid is finally ready (or still dreaming), question remote shutdowns, recycling, and admit — reluctantly — that every monitoring app still kind of sucks. Plus: winners and losers for the year, Spotify Wrapped banter, EV charging confusion, free electricity windows, and some very bold predictions for 2026. Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice.  00:00:00 Welcome and End-of-Year Energy 00:01:14 Battery Boom Reality Check 00:02:02 Rebate Changes Explained 00:04:22 AC vs DC Battery Debate 00:05:09 Broken Systems and Blame 00:07:34 Responsibility and Ownership 00:09:19 Installer Limits and Sign-Off Rules 00:12:19 Distributor Discounts Discussion 00:15:02 The Year of the Battery 00:16:33 Electrify Everything Momentum 00:18:26 Battery Safety and Remote Shutdowns 00:19:26 Recycling and End-of-Life Challenges 00:21:09 Winners of the Year 00:22:37 Losers and Missed Opportunities 00:23:14 Vehicle-to-Grid Reality Check 00:27:08 Free Power and Tariff Signals 00:29:32 Spotify Wrapped Banter 00:32:05 Monitoring Apps and User Frustration 00:35:31 EV Charging Confusion 00:38:56 Predictions for 2026 00:42:39 Politics and Energy Narratives 00:44:26 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

    56 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    #98 - The GoodWe Guys w/ Shane & Gaven

    Send us Fan Mail It’s been a big week in solar… and we somehow didn’t make it worse (well… not intentionally). In this episode we unpack the latest on the Cheap Home Batteries program, including what’s changing, why it matters, and how it impacts installers, retailers, and customers chasing those “too good to be true” mega-battery deals. Then we’re joined by Shane Jurgenstein (Sales Manager) and Gaven Xu (Pre-Sales Engineer) from GoodWe for a proper chat about what’s actually happening in the battery market right now — from the shift to all-in-one systems, backup and bypass switching, charge/discharge performance, and the realities of expanding systems over time.  Plus: Prime Minister house visits, cricket brand ambassadors (Alex Carey), the GoodWe Rewards program for installers, and a few classic JASP technical difficulties along the way. As always: a bit of banter, a bit of chaos, and plenty of substance for anyone trying to keep up with Australia’s fastest-moving electrification market. Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice.  Subscribe on Spotify/YouTube so you don’t miss the final wrap-up episode for the year. 00:00:00 Welcome and Year-End Fatigue 00:01:02 Cheap Home Batteries Controversy 00:01:29 Scheme Changes Explained 00:03:04 Government Funding Boost 00:03:52 Rebate Tier Breakdown 00:05:10 Sales Tactics and Oversizing 00:06:15 Industry Impacts and Grid Benefits 00:07:15 Market Scale and Global Context 00:08:41 Christmas Season Reality Check 00:09:19 New Australian Solar Factory 00:10:45 Local Manufacturing Competition 00:12:06 Spotify Wrapped Milestones 00:13:55 Tesla Powerwall Charging Update 00:15:10 Remote Control and Consumer Rights 00:16:20 Introducing GoodWe Guests 00:17:25 Career Journeys in Solar 00:18:20 Company Growth and Culture 00:21:05 Home Energy System Setup 00:22:10 Electrification and EV Integration 00:23:00 All-In-One Battery Systems 00:24:30 Whole-Home Backup Explained 00:26:15 Battery Safety Architecture 00:28:10 Factory Tours and QA 00:30:20 Supply Chains and Stock Levels 00:31:30 Modular Batteries and Expansion 00:33:10 Battery Longevity and Upgrades 00:34:30 Fire Safety and Protection Layers 00:37:30 Sports Sponsorship Strategy 00:39:50 Cricket, Branding, and Culture 00:42:20 Future Product Roadmap 00:43:20 Commercial Storage Opportunities 00:44:30 Peak Shaving and Grid Services 00:46:00 Battery Attachment Rates Surge 00:47:45 Inverter Oversupply Challenges 00:49:55 Hybrid vs Non-Hybrid Reality 00:52:25 Market Transformation Stories 00:54:00 Final Thoughts from Guests 00:55:25 Installer Rewards Program 00:56:40 Social Media Ban Banter 00:57:20 Industry Appreciation 00:58:25 Closing Thanks and Sign-Off

    1h 1m

  8. 11/25/2025

    #97 - The SIG Meltdown w/ Anthony Bennett

    Send us Fan Mail This episode takes a detailed look at the Sigenergy recall, covering the timeline of issues, communication breakdowns, installer frustrations, fire incident investigations, and the broader implications for product testing, compliance, and industry transparency. Guest Anthony Bennett joins the discussion to help unpack what happened, what went wrong, and what the solar sector can learn moving forward. This episode is proudly sponsored by Southwell Solar Training—delivering practical, standards-based CPD that installers actually find useful. Their online courses cover real-world issues like defects, labelling, battery installation, and system upgrades, helping solar professionals stay compliant while building confidence on the job. Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice.  00:00 Opening Banter 01:23 Podcast Intro 02:31 Nigel’s New Solar System 06:24 Everything Electric Recap 07:36 Smart Energy Council Updates 09:25 Coalition Net-Zero Shift 11:07 Nuclear vs Renewables Debate 14:41 Introducing Anthony Bennett 16:43 Timeline of SIG Issues 19:44 Early Reports & Communication Gaps 22:11 Voluntary Recall Explained 23:51 Installer Impact & Responsibilities 25:15 SIG Communication Challenges 26:59 Fire Incident Discussion 30:45 SolarQuotes Article Timeline 34:04 Other Plug Recalls 36:30 Approval & Testing Questions 38:06 SIG Moderation Debate 41:24 Transparency Concerns 43:13 Recall Scale & Risk Context 44:16 Installer Frustration 45:26 Facts on Recall & Replacements 48:23 Business Impact & Scheduling 49:57 Two-Per-Day Rule Clarified 50:35 Replacement Stock & Logistics 52:14 Recall Communication Debate 53:47 Product vs Install Fault 56:42 Broader Electrification Load Issues 58:22 Cable, Switchboard & Load Concerns 01:00:21 Lessons for Industry 01:02:26 Online Reactions & Tension 01:02:49 Final Round & Wrap-Up

    1h 10m
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About

Join Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson for a down-to-earth update on what’s happening in the Australian solar industry.With regular guests we discuss technology, events and business issues facing anyone involved in solar, storage or electric vehicles. 

Information

  • Creator
    Just Another Solar Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Just Another Solar Podcast
  • Show Website
    Just Another Solar Podcast

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