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 professional Pat Southwell and his co-host Lauren Ciconte, each episode explores technical topics, industry regulations, and the real-world challenges faced by solar installers across Australia. Together they share practical knowledge from the field, tackle important issues affecting the industry, and stand up for what’s right by helping voices be heard on topics that can hit solar installers hard. They also highlight some of the great people working in the industry and help listeners stay across the constant changes in this fast-evolving sector. Whether you’re a solar installer, apprentice, or simply interested in solar, Solar Sidekicks keeps you informed, connected, and up to date with what’s happening in the industry. 

  1. S3E5 - Percy Solar

    MAR 8

    S3E5 - Percy Solar

    This week on Solar Sidekicks, Pat and Loz are joined by Ash and Teish from Percy Solar for a fun, honest chat about one of the biggest pain points in the industry — solar admin. They get into what Percy Solar actually does, why so many solar businesses get buried in paperwork, and how poor systems, slow processes and bad habits can hold installers back. There’s plenty of chat around outsourcing, offshore support, backstop headaches, CRMs, compliance, and why good admin can make or break a solar business. It’s a loose, funny episode with plenty of laughs, but there’s also a serious point underneath it all — if solar businesses want to grow, stay on top of cash flow, and keep customers happy, the backend matters just as much as the install. A great chat with two people bringing a fresh idea to the industry.

    1h 22m
  2. S3E4 - Lliam Ricketts - Supply Partners

    FEB 16

    S3E4 - Lliam Ricketts - Supply Partners

    Solar Sidekicks Podcast

    1h 28m
  3. S3E3 - Shane Jurgenstein | Goodwe

    FEB 11

    S3E3 - Shane Jurgenstein | Goodwe

    🎙️ 𝗦𝟯, 𝗘𝗽𝟯 — 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗪𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 & 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 We’re joined by Shane Jurgenstein, Sales Manager at GoodWe, for a big conversation on batteries, booming demand, tech support, installer shortages — and yes… a press conference in his backyard. ⚡ The all-in-one ESA battery 📈 Battery growth and new installers entering the market 🧰 Firmware hiccups & making installs smoother 👷 Labour shortages still challenging the industry 💬 Honest thoughts on Bunnings Solar and customer trust 💡 Why design and safety still matter Plus: 🤝 GoodWe joins us as a major partner for the 2026 Installer Nights 🧠 Pat shares his recent ADHD diagnosis 😂 Plenty of laughs along the way 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or wherever you pod. https://southwellsolarinspections.com.au/solar-sidekicks-podcasts/s3e3-shane-jurgenstein-goodwe/ 📣 Installer Nights are now live — Melbourne and Wodonga first up. Book here: 👉  https://southwellsolartraining.com.au/installer-nights #SolarIndustry #SolarAustralia #BatteryStorage #SolarInstallers #InstallerNights #SouthwellSolar #SolarTraining

    1h 14m
  4. S3E2 - Ben Jones | Amber Electric

    FEB 4

    S3E2 - Ben Jones | Amber Electric

    🎙️ S3, Ep2 — Battery Expectations & Industry Real Talk Ben Jones from Amber Electric jumps on the mic for a brutally honest chat about batteries, customer chaos, and what actually works when it comes to VPPs and virtual trading. We get into: – ⚡ Why battery installs are getting smarter — but still far from perfect – 🛠️ What happens when expectations aren’t managed (and who cops it) – 🔄 How Amber deals with Frankenstein installs and unrealistic promises – 📉 Why some customers are making bank — and others are shouting into the void – 🤝 Ethical sales, sticky customers & installer responsibility – 🧠 Social media moments, industry culture, and why quality still matters – 🥊 The “Solar Installer Fight Night” idea (yep, it gets silly) We also talk rebate changes, solar myths, crap training, and the ageing standards committee that’s slowing things down. Pat fires up, Lauren keeps it classy, and Ben keeps it real. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or wherever you pod. 📣 Installer Nights are now live — Melbourne and Wodonga first up. Book here: 👉 https://southwellsolartraining.com.au/installer-nights

    1h 29m
  5. S3E1 — Michael Shaughnessy

    JAN 19

    S3E1 — Michael Shaughnessy

    S3E1 — The EV Trade-Off Season 3 is here — and we’re kicking off with a wide-ranging chat with Michael Shaughnessy, who’s worked across the industry: from the roof, to the Clean Energy Council, to the EV Council. He’s been everywhere, and he doesn’t hold back. We talk: – 🚐 Why 2026 might be the year of the trade EV – ⚡ What tradies need to know about utes, hybrids, chargers and towing limits – 🧰 How electricians are best placed to lead the EV shift – 📉 The business case for EVs (and why it’s not just about being green) – 🔥 EV fire myths, servo PTSD and the end of crap solar – 🛻 What happens when your shiny new ute can’t tow your trailer of panels – 💡 Tips for selling full-suite energy systems (without the short-term thinking) – 🏗️ Commercial EV charging, transformer upgrades and why electricians should tread carefully – 🚛 Where electric trucks are at — and who’s buying them Plus: Michael shares the story of taking annual leave to install off-grid solar systems for bushfire-affected families after Black Summer — and why giving back still matters. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or wherever you pod. 📣 Installer Night dates and locations also dropped in this episode — tune in for details.

    1h 12m
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
See All (52)

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 professional Pat Southwell and his co-host Lauren Ciconte, each episode explores technical topics, industry regulations, and the real-world challenges faced by solar installers across Australia. Together they share practical knowledge from the field, tackle important issues affecting the industry, and stand up for what’s right by helping voices be heard on topics that can hit solar installers hard. They also highlight some of the great people working in the industry and help listeners stay across the constant changes in this fast-evolving sector. Whether you’re a solar installer, apprentice, or simply interested in solar, Solar Sidekicks keeps you informed, connected, and up to date with what’s happening in the industry. 

Information

  • Creator
    Pat Southwell
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Solar Sidekicks Podcast
  • Show Website
    Solar Sidekicks Podcast

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