Only Panels - Solar Installer Chats

Michael Stott and Dan Holliday
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The place where solar installers talk real solar. Hosted by Michael Stott from East Renewables and Dan Holliday from DMH Electrical and Renewables, we’re here to lift the lid on what’s actually happening in the UK renewables industry. From solar panel installs to battery storage, EV charging, in-roof vs on-roof systems, G99 applications, DNO headaches, and the gear we rate (and slate) — it’s all on the table. Our mission? To bring together as many fellow installers as possible — to share knowledge, challenge poor practices, and help raise standards across the industry.

  1. APR 8

    Season 2 EP1 – Save the Date 23rd April - Roof Ripping, G99s, and Giving Back to the Industry

    Season 2 is officially LIVE! First off, a massive thank you to everyone who tuned into Season 1. Honestly, the number of views and listens we had was overwhelming. We started this to help the industry, and seeing how many of you got stuck in was the best motivation to get back behind the mics. In this kickoff episode, we aren't hanging about. We’re diving straight into the "why" behind the new Hands-On Installer Training Day happening on April 23rd. We know the accredited courses often leave you hanging when it comes to the actual graft. That’s why we’ve teamed up—myself, Mike, Ollie (Zinc Electrical), Sam (Oval Renewables), and the legend that is Mark Allison (Apprentice 1-to-1)—to get people on actual roofs. No fluff, just real-world mounting, clamping zones, and navigating the nightmare that can be the ENA portal. What we cover in this one: Where we’ve been (including some jet-setting to China). Why "sandwiches and solar" is the training combo you didn't know you needed. Getting hands-on with tile, slate, and Rosemary roofs. Mastering G98/G99 applications and SolarEdge design tools. A sneak peek at what’s coming this season (Longi Solar and the new Sigenergy Neo). Whether you’re a sparky looking to get onto the roof for the first time or a seasoned installer wanting to sharpen your tech game, we’re here to help you succeed. Join us every Wednesday at 7 PM. Links & Resources: Book Your Training Place (April 23rd): a121.co.uk Follow us on Instagram: @OnlyPanels Check out Mark Allison: @Apprentice121 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave us a review—it really does help the channel grow.Season 2 is officially LIVE! First off, a massive thank you to everyone who tuned into Season 1. Honestly, the number of views and listens we had was overwhelming. We started this to help the industry, and seeing how many of you got stuck in was the best motivation to get back behind the mics. In this kickoff episode, we aren't hanging about. We’re diving straight into the "why" behind the new Hands-On Installer Training Day happening on April 23rd. We know the accredited courses often leave you hanging when it comes to the actual graft. That’s why we’ve teamed up—myself, Mike, Ollie (Zinc Electrical), Sam (Oval Renewables), and the legend that is Mark Allison (Apprentice 1-to-1)—to get people on actual roofs. No fluff, just real-world mounting, clamping zones, and navigating the nightmare that can be the ENA portal. What we cover in this one: Where we’ve been (including some jet-setting to China). Why "sandwiches and solar" is the training combo you didn't know you needed. Getting hands-on with tile, slate, and Rosemary roofs. Mastering G98/G99 applications and SolarEdge design tools. A sneak peek at what’s coming this season (Longi Solar and the new Sigenergy Neo). Whether you’re a sparky looking to get onto the roof for the first time or a seasoned installer wanting to sharpen your tech game, we’re here to help you succeed. Join us every Wednesday at 7 PM. Links & Resources: Book Your Training Place (April 23rd): a121.co.uk Follow us on Instagram: @OnlyPanels Check out Mark Allison: @Apprentice121 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave us a review—it really does help the channel grow.

    12 min

  2. 10/29/2025

    EP16 – Apprentice 121: Opening the Training Centre of the Future (with Mark Allison)

    We’re back at it again — this time live from the brand-new Apprentice 121 Training Centre, officially signed off by EAL and ready to deliver accredited solar, EV, and electrical training. Join Mike, Dan, and the legend himself Mark Allison as we take a walk through the new setup — from the WECO battery wall and Solax rigs to the testing bays being built for 2391s. We also chat with Dan “Sparky In Training”, Libby from Azzuri Electrical, and Mattie Allison, who’s stepping up to take the reins at PowerSonic while Mark focuses on the training side. Plenty of laughs, cake, and real talk about the future of hands-on installer training in the UK. 👉 Listen in and find out what’s next for Apprentice 121.

    17 min

  3. 10/22/2025

    EP15 - Built to Last: Alpha ESS G3, Safety Upgrades & C&I with Mark Hale (at Waxman Energy)

    Alpha ESS UK MD Mark Hale joins us at Waxman Energy. We dive into the G3 range, new heated UL9540 batteries, installer support, and C&I solutions like H50 (parallel up to 10). We touch on Octopus Intelligent Flux integration, an app refresh landing end-of-year, and a backup gateway coming Q1. Practical chat on insurance docs, commissioning in ~5 mins, and simplifying SKUs with interchangeable 4.8/9.6 kWh batteries. 00:00 Intro at Waxman Energy 01:13 Alpha ESS UK roots & longevity 02:30 UK installer support (ex-installers, first-install on-site) 04:17 G3 range overview (3.68/5/8kW, parallel) 05:34 New batteries: heating for cold installs 07:20 Safety: suppression, venting, UL9540 & insurance docs 09:05 1C cells (4.8 kWh) vs 0.5C; 9.6 kWh; scaling 10:00 Interchangeable 4.8/9.6 across single & three-phase 13:03 Installer Hub (docs, videos), 5-minute commissioning 15:00 C&I: 30/50/100 kW cabinets; outdoor, safety features 16:08 H50 cabinets, factory commissioning & sign-off 18:28 Care homes & farming use cases 19:36 H50 parallel (up to 10); M50 teaser 20:49 24/500 kW, 1.4 MWh container (late-year) 23:41 New app end-of-year 24:04 Octopus Intelligent Flux integration 25:18 Backup gateway coming Q1 26:31 Market shift & smarter customers 27:51 Waxman events & wrap AlphaESS UK Website alpha-ess.co.uk Waxman Energy waxmanenergy.co.uk

    29 min

  4. 10/15/2025

    EP14 – The Training Centre of the Future with Mark Allison (A121 Training)

    We hijack The Renewables Podcast studio to sit down with Mark Allison — the force behind Apprentice 121, Powersonic, and one of the most connected voices in the UK electrical industry. We talk about the brand-new Apprentice 121 Training Centre in Driffield and what proper, hands-on renewables training should look like. In this episode: How Apprentice 121 grew into a national training movement Why classroom-only solar courses miss the mark FIT retrofits with batteries, smart metering & commissioning quirks PAS guidance, large domestic storage & practical safety tips Gateways are coming – Tesla, SIG Energy, EcoFlow & more Battery recycling, packaging waste & sustainability SolarEdge vs SIG, Victron everywhere & manufacturer pitfalls College drops: giving back to train the next generation Guest: Mark Allison – Apprentice 121 / Powersonic / The Renewables PodcastHosts: Michael Stott & Dan Holliday – Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats 📅 Apprentice 121 Training Centre launch: 29 Oct 2025🕖 New episodes every Wednesday 7 PM🌐 onlypanels.com Follow, rate & share to support the installer community ⚡

    51 min

  5. 10/08/2025

    🎙️EP13 – Life at DMH: Jay Tells the Bits You’re Not Supposed to Hear

    Three mics. One office. No filter.Jay joins Mike & Dan back in the DMH HQ for a brutally honest chat about what life’s really like inside the business. From HGV driving to PV installs, broken panels, red-tape madness and why he’s still not trusted with the van keys — nothing’s off-limits. This one’s half therapy session, half toolbox talk, all chaos. What’s inside: £10k career switch and the training company that went bust Industrial vs renewables: real work vs red tape Storm-proofing gone wrong (and right) Josh the apprentice, the “whoever drives it washes it” rule That moment when the smart meter hits 0 kW ⚡ Why renewables installers stick together tighter than duct tape Heads-up: Recorded live in one room — bit of echo, plenty of energy.New episodes every Wednesday 7 PM 🎧 👉 Subscribe. Comment. Tag a mate who needs to hear this.

    47 min

  6. 10/01/2025

    EP12 – The Future of Solar: AI Trading, New Batteries & Installer Insights

    We’re live at Solar & Storage Live 2025 with highlights straight from the NEC show floor. In this episode Michael dives into the brand-new AlphaESS G3 and H30/H50 storage systems, visits the Doncaster Cables stand for a look at their new PV-Ultra multi-core cable, and catches up with David from Cleantech Wholesale on their rebrand and what’s hot in distribution. We also chat about Sigenergy microinverters, Fronius Wattpilot & Gen24 backup, and the rise of AI-driven grid trading with Sunsynk + Connectify. New fire-safe, high-cycle batteries from AlphaESS Doncaster’s 6-core PV-Ultra cable & bonding options Why software matters more than hardware in solar Huawei exiting the market – and who will fill the gap The rise of OpenSolar, convenience, and solar being “bought not sold” Anker Solix’s ambassador model and why it’s built to last 🎧 Whether you’re an installer, distributor, or just love solar tech, this episode is packed with insights and laughs from the UK’s biggest solar event. 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday at 7pm – subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast app. Key Talking Points

    39 min

  7. 09/22/2025

    🎙️EP11 – Van der Valk at Solar & Storage Live: Game-Changing Mounting Systems Explained

    We’ve dropped this one a day early ahead of Solar & Storage Live! In Episode 11 of Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, Michael and Dan are joined by Phil Joly from Van der Valk Solar Systems to talk about all things mounting: 🔹 The shift from Strongline to the new Valk Ace – what’s changed and why installers are switching 🔹 One hook that does both vertical & horizontal – the game-changer for tricky roofs 🔹 Cable management, optimiser clamps, and the “third hand” feature that saves time on site 🔹 The new ValkPro+ Next Gen flat-roof system designed for today’s larger panels 🔹 How installer feedback is shaping product improvements 🔹 Where to find Van der Valk at Solar & Storage Live 2025 – Stand D110 + daily Installer Hub training sessions Van der Valk Installer Hub Training Times (NEC): • Tuesday – 14:00 & 14:20 • Wednesday – 12:00 & 12:20 • Thursday – 12:20 & 12:40 Plus, we get into impact drivers, hats, and why Dan reckons Phil owes him new tools… If you’re heading to the NEC this week, this is the perfect listen for the drive down. Then pop over to the Van der Valk stand (D110) and get hands-on with their kit. Chapters / Highlights: 00:01 – Intro & why we’re early for Solar & Storage Live 01:29 – Meet Phil Joly, Van der Valk Solar Systems 03:19 – Valk Ace launch and feedback from installers 08:22 – Strongline vs Ace: price, performance & installer response 12:00 – The “third hand” feature, hooks & hardware tweaks 20:22 – Two impact drivers and the hat moment 26:00 – Cable management & full mounting system solutions 28:04 – ValkPro+ Next Gen flat-roof mounting for big panels 36:34 – Awards, tools, and looking ahead 🎧 Listen now on Spotify & YouTube 📍 Meet Van der Valk at Solar & Storage Live 2025, Stand D110 #Solar #MountingSystems #VanDerValk #SolarAndStorageLive #SolarInstallers #OnlyPanelsPodcast

    43 min

  8. 09/17/2025

    🎙️EP10 – How Big Should Your Solar System Be? With Oli from Zinc Electrical

    In this episode of Only Panels, Michael and Dan are joined by Oli from Zinc Electrical to unpack one of the biggest questions in solar: how do you size a solar PV system properly? We kick things off with highlights from Elex Coventry — including the Safe Isolate stand and plenty of installer chatter — before diving into real-world solar design. Topics we cover: Should you design a solar system based on household consumption, maximise roof space, or stick to a set budget? The “120% rule” explained – why oversizing panels or inverters can actually improve performance. Inverter sizing myths: why a smaller inverter can sometimes generate more power over the year. Battery storage challenges – charge/discharge rates, hybrid inverters, and when to add batteries later. Real-life analogies to make sense of kWp, kWh, and inverter ratings (think: car top speed vs speed limit 🚗⚡). How to future-proof PV systems for EV charging, heat pumps, and growing family usage. Oli also shares his personal journey: leaving corporate IT sales, training with Oval Renewables, and eventually launching Zinc Electrical. We talk about the realities of being a one-man-band installer, the importance of community in the UK renewables sector, and balancing business with family life. Whether you’re a solar installer, an electrician moving into PV, or a homeowner thinking about solar panels and battery storage, this episode gives you practical insights into how systems are really designed — and why no two installs are ever the same. 📺 Watch on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts #Solar #SolarPanels #Inverters #BatteryStorage #Renewables #OnlyPanels #Podcast #InstallerLife #SolarDesign #SolarPV #HeatPumps #EVCharging

    51 min
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About

The place where solar installers talk real solar. Hosted by Michael Stott from East Renewables and Dan Holliday from DMH Electrical and Renewables, we’re here to lift the lid on what’s actually happening in the UK renewables industry. From solar panel installs to battery storage, EV charging, in-roof vs on-roof systems, G99 applications, DNO headaches, and the gear we rate (and slate) — it’s all on the table. Our mission? To bring together as many fellow installers as possible — to share knowledge, challenge poor practices, and help raise standards across the industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Stott and Dan Holliday
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Michael Stott and Dan Holliday
  • Show Website
    Only Panels - Solar Installer Chats