Solar Sidekicks Podcast

Pat Southwell
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Solar Sidekicks is the go-to podcast for all things solar, serving up essential insights with a friendly, down-to-earth vibe. Hosted by industry pro Pat Southwell, each episode unpacks the technicalities, tackles regulations, and tracks the latest trend

  1. S2E26 - 2025 Recap: Unfiltered

    12/29/2025

    S2E26 - 2025 Recap: Unfiltered

    🎙️ S2, Ep26 — 2025 Recap: Unfiltered It’s the final episode of Season 2 — and we’re going out with a bang. There’s laughs, recaps, corrections, and a huge announcement about something that’s been missing from the industry for way too long: a national event series with zero sales pitches and maximum value for sparkies, installers and anyone who wants to do things properly. Also in this ep: – 📉 A quick correction on those battery rebate numbers from Ep 25 – 🛠️ A look at the Solar Apprenticeship Workflow, now live – 🔥 Our most popular episodes, biggest guests and the weirdest things that happened in 2025 – 📊 Spotify Wrapped: thank you Estonia and whoever’s still using an iPhone 4 – 🎧 Behind-the-scenes moments (like what Pat does in the edit bay and how Lauren handles rogue phones on the desk) If you’ve listened all year — or even just once — thanks heaps for being part of it. 🎧 Hit play to hear the big news and get one last hit of Sidekicks for 2025.

    1h 16m
  2. S2E25 - Battery Rebate Shakeup

    12/22/2025

    S2E25 - Battery Rebate Shakeup

    🎙️ S2, Ep25 — Battery Rebate Shakeup It’s the second-last episode of the year, and things are well and truly cooked. We break down the big changes to the federal battery rebate (dropping from May 1), talk panic buying, dodgy installs, and why builders are about to cop it. We also cover: – 📉 Who’s set to lose out under the new rebate rules – ⚠️ A broken inspection regime, and what’s not being checked – 🎄 SEN, GoodWe and a Christmas party at the MCG – 🔋 Lauren’s monster 40kWh home battery setup – 🚗 Pat’s EV charging fail (and fast-charge redemption) – 📦 Stock pressure, skill shortages & why price rises might be coming – ☀️ Live calls with Nick Mullins and Matt Wilson, who don’t hold back on what’s really happening out there Plus: why the installer shortage gives sparkies the upper hand, and why January might be the wildest solar month yet. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or wherever you pod. 📣 One more episode to go — and a big announcement coming. Stay tuned.

    1h 30m
  3. S2E24 - James Hazell | Fronius

    12/08/2025

    S2E24 - James Hazell | Fronius

    🎙️ S2, Ep24: James Hazell  - Fronius This week, we’re recording at 7am in a mystery Melbourne Airbnb… with Fronius state manager James Hazell — who’s technically on holiday (sort of). We dig into the nerdy, the niche, and the new Fronius battery rollout. But first: competitive puzzle racing, Christmas trees, and the correct screwdriver for a Snap Inverter. James talks about: – His journey from nerdy teen PC builder to national sales rep – What he’s seeing in Queensland & NT (plus tips for regional support) – The new Fronius Reserva battery: rollout, sizing hiccups & installer feedback – How being technical and people-focused helps in solar sales – His monster 40kW residential system in Brisbane – Why the Fronius culture (and merch) hits different We also touch on the SIG recall, EVs, bollards, Powerwalls, and the great north/south roof debate. Massive thanks to James for hosting us and sharing his story — even while trying to win a national puzzle championship. 🧩

    1h 2m
  4. S2E23 - Sigenergy Recall

    11/21/2025

    S2E23 - Sigenergy Recall

    The solar world lit up this week after SIG Energy issued a major product recall on its 8, 10, and 12kW single-phase inverters — and just 24 hours later, we hit record. From installer frustrations to industry-wide concern, Pat and Lauren sit down for an unfiltered, balanced chat about what’s really going on. With guest calls from James Taylor (Taylor Energy), Nigel Morris (Smart Energy Council), Yorick Mark (MC Electrical), and Warren Monsma (Sunbuilt Solar), we cover everything from comms breakdowns and warranty logistics to technical installation challenges and the emotional toll on the ground. This isn’t about finger-pointing — it’s about staying informed, keeping calm, and pulling together as an industry. Whether you’re a SIG diehard, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode is for you.

    1h 24m
  5. S2E22 - Nigel Morris | Smart Energy Council

    11/18/2025

    S2E22 - Nigel Morris | Smart Energy Council

    🎙️ S2, Ep22 — Live from All-Energy with Nigel Morris: Batteries, Booths & Banter We caught up with Nigel Morris live at All-Energy on the GoodWe stand, and wow — this one’s packed. Batteries are booming, booths are blinging, and Nigel’s new role as Chief Strategy Officer at the Smart Energy Council is keeping him flat out (and off the Catch Power tools). We talk VPPs, recycled silver, CER audits (or lack of them), and whether the battery surge will last. Plus: – Recaps from the Solar Cutters Awards 🏆 – Emotional farewell to solar legend Kathleen Ryan 💐 – Why Lauren’s feeling chuffed (spoiler: award-winning stuff) – How Pat missed an elevator thanks to a fan 😅 – And what’s next for solar renters, C&I installs, and the industry's future. There’s heaps to love in this one — laughs, insights, and a little light grief for the CEC.

    1h 5m
  6. S2E21 - George Auchterlonie | REST Energy

    11/11/2025

    S2E21 - George Auchterlonie | REST Energy

    🎙️ S2E21 – George Auchterlonie: REST Energy Recorded at the SolarQuotes Awards, on the eve of All Energy officially kicking off, this episode dives into the story of George Auchterlonie — firefighter, solar installer,  founder of Rest Energy in Hobart & of course The Tassie Solar Man. Pat and Lauren sit down with George to talk about life before solar, going from the tools to running a business, his approach to off-grid installs, and why he still jumps on the tools for the tricky jobs. There’s also plenty of chat about what’s happening at All Energy, battery product teething issues, subby models, CEC frustrations, and the realities of running a small solar biz in Tassie. It’s a laid-back, open chat with one of the most genuine operators in the game.

    1h 19m
  7. S2E20 - Middle Aisle Solar

    10/20/2025

    S2E20 - Middle Aisle Solar

    No guest? No worries. In this jam-packed episode, Pat and Lauren catch up on all the wild weather, long days, solo installs, and industry shake-ups that have defined the past few weeks. The big topic: Aldi Solar. Yep — Aldi has entered the solar game with its own branded inverter and battery systems, plus a tie-in with Bunnings. Pat and Lauren break down what this means for quality, pricing, and the future of the trade. Is it just another race to the bottom, or a sign of where solar is headed? Also in this episode: – The GoodWe inverter recall and how they’ve handled it – WorkSafe Month and real-world safetyPat Southwell: takeaways from the rooftop (& a toastie) – A big shoutout to GoodWe’s new brand ambassador, cricketer Alex Carey — and why this actually feels different from the usual celebrity solar promos – Lauren’s nearly-finished Cert II, Pat’s new EV5 GT (luxury & roof racks together), and navigating charger dramas – Plus: a few rogue calls to industry legends Blair Pester and Brad McDonald, with some surprisingly wholesome results 📍 Recorded at the Solar Sidekicks Studio 🎧 A proper catch-up between mates — smart, salty, and seriously solar.

    1h 32m
  8. S2E19 – Tom Gay | Origin Energy

    09/27/2025

    S2E19 – Tom Gay | Origin Energy

    Batteries, VPPs & the Future of Home Electrification This week on Solar Sidekicks, we're deep-diving into the world of virtual power plants (VPPs), dynamic energy systems, and home electrification with Tom Gay, Sales Manager at Origin Energy. Recorded in the heart of Melbourne at Origin HQ, Pat and Lauren sit down with Tom to unpack how battery storage, VPPs, and evolving consumer habits are reshaping the energy landscape — from the early days of disco-light signal rooms (yep, really) to AI-powered energy orchestration. We talk:     •    VPP myths vs. reality     •    Battery plan transparency and customer control     •    Origin’s expanding suite of battery-friendly retail plans     •    Community batteries, EV charging, and hot water load shifting     •    What’s next in the energy transition — and Origin’s role in it A smart, fun, and future-focused convo — and one of our most informative episodes to date.

    1h 28m
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About

Solar Sidekicks is the go-to podcast for all things solar, serving up essential insights with a friendly, down-to-earth vibe. Hosted by industry pro Pat Southwell, each episode unpacks the technicalities, tackles regulations, and tracks the latest trend

Information

  • Creator
    Pat Southwell
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Solar Sidekicks Podcast
  • Show Website
    Solar Sidekicks Podcast

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