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. FEB 2

    #101 - What Grinds My Gears w/ Merrily Hunter

    Send a text 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

  2. JAN 19

    #100 - Amber Unfiltered w/ Carlos Garcia

    Send a text 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

  3. 12/24/2025

    #99 - 2025 Solar Wrapped

    Send a text 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

  4. 12/15/2025

    #98 - The GoodWe Guys w/ Shane & Gaven

    Send a text 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

  5. 11/25/2025

    #97 - The SIG Meltdown w/ Anthony Bennett

    Send a text 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

  6. 11/14/2025

    #96 - EV Evolution w/ Jeff Sykes

    Send a text Jeff Sykes from Solar Choice joins the podcast to unpack the latest in Australia’s solar and electrification landscape, covering battery market trends, AI’s growing role in the industry, installer quality and vetting, EV charging developments, and what to expect at upcoming energy events. 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 All Energy Recap 02:00 Battery Boom & Gateway Gossip 07:40 China’s V2G World 10:00 CEC Clarification 11:20 Free Energy Hours Plan 14:30 Solar + Battery Economics 16:30 Guest Intro: Jeff Sykes 18:15 Jeff’s Origin Story 24:30 AI in Solar Choice 32:30 Solar Choice Installer Vetting 35:00 EV Charging Podcast 37:20 Everything Electric Show Preview 43:40 Solar Quote Platforms 45:00 Lead Quality & SEO 53:10 Jeff’s Life in Byron 54:10 Tesla Rebates & Final Round 56:10 Nigel’s China Shoutout 57:25 Wrap-Up with Jeff 58:10 Sponsor Message

    1 hr

  7. 10/26/2025

    #95 - Solar Surge w/ Andrew Burgess

    Send a text Andrew Burgess from Solar Juice joins the podcast to discuss Australia’s renewable energy landscape — from the evolution of Solar Juice and its return to Australian ownership, to the rise of battery storage, electrification, and the future of sustainable energy innovation. 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.  00:00:00 Introduction and Energy Industry Catch-Up 00:01:31 Melbourne Weather and Upcoming Events 00:02:15 SIG Energy Update from Tasmania 00:03:45 Company Administration and Industry Struggles 00:06:05 Software Platforms and Market Challenges 00:06:41 Nigel’s Upcoming Solar Installation Plans 00:08:05 Electrification in Mining and Transport 00:09:45 Marine Batteries and Heavy Equipment Innovation 00:10:10 Introducing Guest — Andrew Burgess (Solar Juice) 00:11:00 Early Career and BP Solar Days 00:13:00 Founding of Solar Juice in 2009 00:15:00 Acquisition by SPI and Initial Growth 00:17:00 Share Collapse and Hard Lessons Learned 00:19:20 Operating Under a Parent Company 00:21:00 Loyalty, Culture and Team Legacy 00:22:00 Dolores and Industry Pioneers Remembered 00:24:10 Australian Ownership Restored at Solar Juice 00:26:30 Electrification and Partnerships with Fortescue 00:28:20 Cheaper Home Batteries Program Discussion 00:30:00 Government Briefings and Policy Insights 00:31:10 Supply Chain and Product Quality Concerns 00:33:00 Corporate Responsibility and ESG Compliance 00:36:10 Battery Stewardship and Recycling Programs 00:38:20 Sustainability and Long-Term Accountability 00:39:45 Company Culture and Employee Retention 00:42:00 Trade Shows and Customer Engagement 00:44:00 Family Values and Relationship Building 00:45:30 Creative Marketing and Brand Innovation 00:46:50 Battery Program Margins and Market Pressure 00:47:45 Government Rebates and Industry Impact 00:50:00 Future of Solar and Electrification Trends 00:52:30 Work-Life Balance and Personal Reflection 00:54:00 Lessons on Business Growth and Adaptation 00:54:30 Final Comments and Tesla Energy Update 00:55:30 Industry Networking and Tesla Initiatives 00:56:20 Labour Demand and Installer Shortages 00:56:45 Nigel’s Reflections on Podcasting and Family 00:57:30 Closing Remarks from Andrew Burgess 00:58:00 Farewell and All-Energy Expo Invitation

    1 hr

  8. 10/19/2025

    #94 - Solar Storage Punk w/ Mitch

    Send a text This week, we’re joined by Andrew "Mitch" Mitchell from Franklin WH for a wide-ranging chat on where the renewable energy sector is heading. From solar tech innovation and battery design to compliance hurdles and the evolution of virtual power plants, Mitch brings his trademark mix of insight, humour and industry know-how to the table. 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. Click here to check out Karl's guest appearance on Shameless Plug w/ Saul Griffith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWffaesEPmo 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 Introduction and Catch-Up 00:01:31 Victorian Solar Rebate Update 00:05:01 Australia Leading in Renewable Tech 00:06:57 SIG Energy Installation Issues in Tasmania 00:10:05 Nigel’s Solar Plans as a Renter 00:12:28 Electrification and Kyle’s Book Feature 00:14:10 All-Energy Expo and Heat Pump Mascot Idea 00:16:16 Introducing Guest Andrew “Mitch” Mitchell 00:17:29 Mitch’s Journey into Solar Energy 00:20:50 Early Battery Days and Funny Stories 00:21:50 From Enphase to Franklin Energy Journey 00:24:08 Product Compliance and Certification Challenges 00:26:14 Franklin Software and Industry Feedback 00:27:47 Franklin Battery Pitch and Benefits 00:30:12 The Case for AC-Coupled Solutions 00:32:55 Next for Franklin — Integration and VPPs 00:34:55 Working Groups and VPP Industry Push 00:37:17 The Real Cost of VPP Participation 00:38:10 Retailer and Customer VPP Experiences 00:39:51 Mitch on Battery Longevity and VPP Limits 00:40:10 Battery Longevity and Responsible Use 00:42:05 Education, Literacy, and Industry Gaps 00:45:15 “V2Pub” Concept and Battery Installation Feedback 00:49:30 Installer Experiences and On-the-Ground Insights 00:55:30 Punk Rock, Music, and Creative Energy 01:00:05 Mitch’s Music Journey and Industry Parallels 01:02:20 Final Round — Summer, EVs, and Industry Outlook 01:03:45 Shoutouts and Community Reflections 01:04:45 Industry Care and Hopeful Perspectives 01:06:15 Mitch’s Closing Reflections and Takeaways 01:07:20 Farewell

    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
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Just Another Solar Podcast
  • Show Website
    Just Another Solar Podcast

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