Off The Grid

Source Energy Group

Welcome to Off The Grid, the Source Energy Group podcast hosted by Jason Cooke and Cam Fitch. This podcast helps Australian homeowners beat the cost of living, eliminate power bills, and break free from the grid with custom solar and battery systems. Each episode delivers honest, no-nonsense conversations on Australian solar rebates, battery storage, and how to choose the right installation without getting burned. With a SAA accredited in-house install team and a genuine 25-year local support commitment, Source Energy Group provides quality systems that cut grid usage to 0 to 5%. No subcontractors. No overselling. Just real advice from people who will still be answering the phone in 2050.

  1. 6d ago

    #030 - Is Your Roof Right For Solar & Battery Installation?

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://go.sourceenergygroup.com.au/ In this new episode, Jason and Cam are joined by Tim to break down what makes a roof suitable for solar and battery, the hidden issues homeowners often miss, and why a proper site inspection can prevent costly mistakes down the track. ◼️ How roof type, condition and usable space affect system design ◼️ The importance of roof direction, shade and panel placement ◼️ Common installation risks with tile, terracotta and older roofs ◼️ Battery location, compliance requirements and site access considerations Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:01 Why Roof Assessments Matter 00:02:09 Roof Size, Layout and Compliance 00:04:25 Panel Direction and System Design 00:06:15 What We Check During Site Visits 00:07:14 Roof Types to Avoid 00:09:36 Terracotta Roof Challenges 00:13:16 Concrete Roof Considerations 00:15:28 Existing Roof Defects and Repairs 00:19:17 How Much Roof Space Is Needed 00:20:15 Roof Condition and Structural Checks 00:22:03 Sheds, Batteries and Cable Runs 00:25:17 Battery Location and Compliance 00:29:34 Access Issues and Installation Planning 00:31:41 Roof Assessment Red Flags 00:34:05 Final Summary Follow Source Energy Group: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

  2. Oct 9

    #029 - How We Slashed His Power Bills From $300 Per Month To $40 In Credit

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://go.sourceenergygroup.com.au/ In this new episode, Jason and Cam are joined by Tim and valued Source Energy customer Angus to break down how a household with 20kW of solar went from paying around $300 per month to being in credit after adding a properly designed battery system and optimising their energy setup. ◼️ How Angus turned a $300 monthly bill into credit ◼️ Using a 50kWh battery and Glowbird to maximise savings ◼️ The impact of EVs, air conditioning and household usage ◼️ Why support, installation quality and system sizing matter Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:15 Why 20kW Of Solar Still Wasn't Enough 00:01:58 Adding A 50kWh Battery System 00:03:17 Using Glowbird And Free Power Periods 00:04:01 Charging EVs And Batteries For Free 00:05:13 Glowbird Vs Amber Explained 00:06:16 From $300 Per Month To Credit 00:07:16 Using The SEMS App To Optimise Savings 00:08:48 Combining EV And Electricity Savings 00:09:51 Previous Battery Company Horror Stories 00:11:23 Why Local Support Made The Difference 00:12:28 Beating The Rebate Deadline 00:13:31 Overcoming Solar Scam Concerns 00:14:57 How The Battery Enabled A Second EV 00:16:06 Calculating Real Return On Investment 00:17:19 Why Batteries Are The New 44c Feed-In Tariff 00:18:03 Installation Day And System Compliance Issues 00:19:28 Why Adding A Battery Isn't Just Plug And Play 00:20:14 Communication, Support And Customer Service 00:21:29 Glowbird, Amber And Future Integrations 00:22:19 Angus' Advice For Homeowners 00:23:45 The Poor Man Pays Twice Follow Source Energy Group: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

  3. Oct 6

    #028 - Are GoodWe Batteries All They’re Cracked Up To Be?

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://go.sourceenergygroup.com.au/ In this new episode, Jason and Cam sit down with Tim to break down whether the GoodWe ESA battery really deserves its reputation as one of the best battery systems in Australia, and how it compares to other leading brands on the market. ◼️ What Makes The GoodWe ESA Different From Other Batteries ◼️ GoodWe vs SIG, SunGrow And Other Leading Brands ◼️ Why Support, Warranties And Local Backing Matter ◼️ The Features Homeowners Should Look Beyond The Spec Sheet Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:38 GoodWe's Position in the Market 00:01:42 The Impact of the ESA Battery 00:03:23 Why the GoodWe ESA Stands Out 00:05:01 App Performance and User Experience 00:06:34 Best Homes for the ESA Battery 00:08:00 Real-World Backup Power Example 00:09:21 GoodWe ESA vs Other Battery Brands 00:11:08 Fire Safety and Battery Protection 00:12:15 Warranties, Support and Aftercare 00:13:36 Product Reliability and Recalls 00:14:19 When to Consider Other Batteries 00:16:35 Final Summary Follow Source Energy Group: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

  4. Sep 30

    #027 - Coastal Solar & Batteries Aren’t The Same. Here's Why.

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep27 In this new episode, Jason and Cam break down why solar and battery systems installed near the coast require a completely different approach to homes further inland. From corrosion ratings and salt exposure to battery placement and maintenance, they explain what homeowners need to know before installing solar near the water. ◼️ How salt air affects solar panels, batteries and mounting systems ◼️ Understanding corrosion ratings and coastal installation requirements ◼️ Why battery placement matters in high‑humidity environments ◼️ The maintenance and servicing coastal systems need to perform properly Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:38 Coastal Solar System Risks 00:00:54 Salt Air and Corrosion Explained 00:02:16 Existing Systems and Battery Upgrades 00:03:25 Understanding Corrosion Ratings 00:04:05 Battery Placement Near the Coast 00:04:47 Protecting Panels and Mounting Hardware 00:06:07 Cleaning and Maintaining Coastal Solar 00:07:27 Safe Distances from the Coastline 00:08:02 Choosing Coastal-Rated Components 00:09:27 Key Considerations for Coastal Installations 00:11:18 Monitoring Performance and Warning Signs 00:13:41 Battery Options for Coastal Homes 00:14:34 Final Summary Follow Source Energy Group: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

  5. Sep 25

    #026 - How We Slashed Their Power Bills From From $200 to $23

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep26 In this new episode, Jason and Cam sit down with Jennifer from Nabiac, NSW, to break down how adding a battery to her existing solar system reduced her monthly power bill from over $200 to just $23, while eliminating almost all grid usage. ◼️ Why her existing solar system wasn’t delivering the savings she expected ◼️ How a battery transformed her energy usage and monthly bills ◼️ The importance of proper system design, site inspections and local support ◼️ How solar, battery storage and an EV work together to maximise savings Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:58 Choosing the Right Battery System 00:04:35 Installation Experience and Site Assessment 00:06:21 Addressing Existing System Issues 00:07:42 From $200 Bills to Near Zero Grid Usage 00:10:19 Future Savings and Virtual Power Plants 00:11:57 Adding an Electric Vehicle 00:14:33 Planning for Future Energy Needs 00:17:31 Monitoring with the Solar App 00:19:03 Ongoing Support and Customer Service 00:21:57 Installation Timeframes and Capacity Follow Source Energy Group: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

  6. Sep 22

    #025 - Is It Worth It To Buy Your Battery & Solar Using Your Offset Account

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep25 In this new episode, Jason and Cam are joined by Zac from AT Finance and Tim to break down whether using money from your offset account is the smartest way to purchase a solar and battery system, or if another finance structure could deliver a better outcome. ◼️ Offset Accounts vs Solar Finance Options ◼️ How Solar and Battery Systems Compare as an Investment ◼️ The Impact of Funding Structure on Long‑Term Savings ◼️ Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Financing Solar Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:04:07 Solar financing options explained 00:08:22 Smart solar financing strategies 00:10:50 Solar savings and mortgage offset 00:14:25 Financial benefits of solar loans 00:18:10 Solar as an investment strategy 00:23:27 Biggest mistake homeowners make 00:24:27 Solar as a financial investment 00:29:14 Payback period for solar investment Follow Source Energy Group: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

  7. Sep 16

    #024 - Exactly What’s Wrong With The Solar Industry And Why We’re Fixing It

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep24 In this new episode, Jason and Cam sit down with Luke and Tim to break down the real problems inside the solar and battery industry, from bottom‑dollar sales companies to rushed installs, poor support and homeowners left stranded when something goes wrong. ◼️ Why sales‑only companies keep burning good homeowners ◼️ How bottom‑dollar pricing leads to shortcuts and unsafe installs ◼️ The communication gap between sales and installers ◼️ The structure we use to fix the industry from first call to long‑term support Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:25 Sales Companies Selling Bottom‑Dollar 00:02:01 How Cheap Deals Create Bigger Issues 00:03:43 The Three Parts Of A Proper Solar Business 00:04:36 Bottom‑Dollar Pricing And Installer Pressure 00:05:23 Cheap Products And No After‑Sales Support 00:06:07 Blame Shifting Between Sales And Installers 00:07:41 Why Shortcuts And Rushed Installs Happen 00:09:00 The “In‑House Installer” Sales Tactic 00:10:35 Site Checks And Building Trust 00:11:01 Removing The Divide Between Sales And Install 00:12:15 Making The Installer’s Day Easier 00:13:37 Teamwork For Smooth Installs 00:14:01 Industry Shifting And Better Advertising 00:15:24 Why We Only Take 10 Percent Upfront 00:16:04 How Big Deposits Trap Homeowners 00:17:43 Taking Two Days When Needed 00:18:16 Looking After Installers So They Look After Clients 00:19:22 Housekeeping And On‑Site Care 00:20:52 The Difference Between Us And Cheap Sales Companies 00:21:29 When Products Don’t Match What Was Sold 00:21:34 The Real Problem: Sales‑Only Companies 00:22:00 Choosing A Proper Solar And Battery Team Follow Source Energy Group: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

  8. Sep 11

    #023 - Ranking Every Solar Battery Brand in 2026

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep23 In this new episode, Jason and Cam sit down with Luke and Tim to rank the major solar battery brands in Australia for 2026, comparing real‑world performance, support, mounting design and long‑term reliability. ◼️ The top battery brands worth considering in 2026 ◼️ Which systems offer the strongest backup and support ◼️ The brands installers rate highly after real on‑site experience ◼️ The products we’d be cautious about and why Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:35 Installer Experience And Support 00:00:48 GoodWe Ranked Number One 00:01:07 Why GoodWe Leads The Market 00:01:33 SIG Energy Ranked Second 00:02:00 Early SIG Issues And Improvements 00:02:25 GoodWe vs SIG For Backup 00:03:02 Price And Support Differences 00:03:24 Why Installers Prefer Simplicity 00:03:56 Sunro Ranked Third 00:04:37 Enphase Performance And Price 00:05:12 Enphase Support And Real‑World Issues 00:06:01 Alpha Battery Variants And Reliability 00:06:49 Alpha AC vs DC Coupled Issues 00:07:06 Alpha Ranked Low Tier 00:07:18 Fox Battery Concerns 00:08:07 Mounting Issues And Exposed Cabling 00:08:59 Why Fox Stagnated At 3.2kWh Modules 00:09:26 Fox vs Daya Comparison 00:10:01 Daya Opposing Installer Experiences 00:10:45 Daya Wall‑Mounted Complexity 00:11:22 Why Mounting Capacity Matters 00:11:48 Daya Stackable Systems Reviewed 00:12:38 Daya Backup Capability 00:13:16 Daya Off‑Grid Performance 00:13:57 Mid‑Tier Placement For Daya 00:14:09 Solax Support But Limited Data 00:14:38 Solax Ranked Low Due To Unknowns 00:14:46 Tesla’s Strengths And Weaknesses 00:15:13 Tesla Accreditation And Price 00:15:26 Tesla Backup Capability 00:15:31 Tesla Ranked A/B Tier 00:15:36 Growatt Concerns 00:16:17 Why Growatt Misses The Board 00:16:56 Tech Support Issues And Reliability 00:17:13 Sonnen Early Experience 00:17:43 Sonnen Mounting And Backup 00:18:23 Sonnen Support Limitations 00:18:43 Sonnen Removed From Board 00:19:05 Reviewing The Tier System 00:19:25 What To Look For In A Battery Brand 00:19:32 Fire Suppression Across Brands 00:19:52 Why Mounting And Appearance Matter Follow Source Energy Group: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

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About

Welcome to Off The Grid, the Source Energy Group podcast hosted by Jason Cooke and Cam Fitch. This podcast helps Australian homeowners beat the cost of living, eliminate power bills, and break free from the grid with custom solar and battery systems. Each episode delivers honest, no-nonsense conversations on Australian solar rebates, battery storage, and how to choose the right installation without getting burned. With a SAA accredited in-house install team and a genuine 25-year local support commitment, Source Energy Group provides quality systems that cut grid usage to 0 to 5%. No subcontractors. No overselling. Just real advice from people who will still be answering the phone in 2050.

Information

  • Creator
    Source Energy Group
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Source Energy Group
  • Show Website
    Off The Grid