Podcast thumbnail for Only Panels - Solar Installer Chats

Only Panels - Solar Installer Chats

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by Michael Stott and Dan Holliday

21 episodes
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Podcast Overview

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.

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Publishing Since

7/23/2025

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for Season2 EP5 Are DNOs Forcing Installers to Break the Law?

June 24, 2026

Season2 EP5 Are DNOs Forcing Installers to Break the Law?

<p>🎙️ Welcome to Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, the podcast for solar PV professionals and enthusiasts. In this episode:🔹 The ongoing nightmare of G99 DNO applications, specific struggles with Northern Power Grid, and the crippling 45-working-day wait times holding the industry back.</p><p>🔹 Are some installers breaking the law? The massive liability and potential criminal offense of installing grid-tied 12kW systems with export limiters without prior DNO permission.</p><p>🔹 How administrative delays at the DNO level are actively risking customer deposits and causing Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) to expire before tools even hit the roof.</p><p>🔹 The shocking rise of DIY &quot;plug-in&quot; balcony solar and the terrifying reality of what happens when homeowners stack multiple 800W systems on a standard ring main.</p><p>🔹 The DNO double standard: Why heat pump approvals are highly automated and practically instant, while solar PV applications are stuck in the dark ages.</p><p>🔹 Giving back: A look at Dan&#39;s recent community solar rescue project in Richmond and why it&#39;s important to support the community.</p><p>🎓 SHOW SUPPORTER SHOUTOUT Looking to up-skill your team and stop making costly callbacks? This episode is proudly supported by A121 Training—the UK’s premier, 80% hands-on electrical and renewable training center.👉 Secure your spot and browse all masterclasses (Battery, Inverter, EV &amp; 18th Edition) here: ⁠<a href="https://a121.co.uk/courses.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://a121.co.uk/courses.php</a>⁠⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 - The 12kW office ring loophole and plug-in solar risks.0:15 - Catching up: Sam Waxman, MCS accreditation, and Jeeves.1:51 - The G99 nightmare continues: Northern Power Grid delays.5:42 - Are installers breaking the law by skipping G99 approval?9:22 - Why Connect Direct is failing installers.11:23 - The real threat to customer deposits and IBGs.15:34 - Heat pumps vs. Solar PV: Why is one so much faster?20:36 - The balcony solar loophole: 800W plug-in systems.28:06 - Testing a new DNO application strategy.28:53 - Giving back: A community solar rescue in Richmond.📍 New episodes every week – subscribe so you don’t miss out.🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts &amp; all major platforms.👉 Join the conversation:YouTube: ⁠<a href="https://youtube.com/@only.panels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://youtube.com/@only.panels</a>⁠Spotify: ⁠<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6hK6YjzSti3iQrKDOuDXea?si=c00c11372fc64a2f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://open.spotify.com/show/6hK6YjzSti3iQrKDOuDXea?si=c00c11372fc64a2f</a>⁠LinkedIn: ⁠<a href="https://linkedin.com/company/only-panels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://linkedin.com/company/only-panels</a>⁠TikTok &amp; Instagram: @onlypanels#Solar #SolarInstallers #OnlyPanelsPodcast #Renewables #SolarPV #G99 #NorthernPowerGrid #BalconySolar #DIYSolar #DNO</p>

Episode thumbnail for Season 2 EP4 - 18 Years in Solar: Riding the Highs and Lows with Sam Waxman

June 17, 2026

Season 2 EP4 - 18 Years in Solar: Riding the Highs and Lows with Sam Waxman

<p>🎙️ Welcome to Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, the podcast for solar PV professionals and enthusiasts. In this episode:</p><p>🔹 We sit down with Sam Waxman, Managing Director of Waxman Energy, to reflect on his 18.5 years riding the extreme highs and lows of the UK solar market.🔹 From pre-Feed-In Tariff craziness to massive price drops, discover how a major distributor navigates an industry that moves at lightning speed.🔹 A deep dive into the shifting market: Why Waxman’s commercial and C&amp;I (Commercial &amp; Industrial) sectors are scaling rapidly up to 5MW ground mounts.🔹 Sneak peeks at upcoming tech, including a teaser for Van Der Valk’s highly anticipated &quot;Valk Ace Mark 2&quot; mounting system launching at InterSolar.🔹 Inside the training center: Why Enphase dubbed Waxman’s facility &quot;the best training rig in Europe,&quot; and why distributors must actively invest in upskilling installers.🔹 Future-gazing real talk: Why 2026 is officially the &quot;Year of the Gateway,&quot; how manufacturers are battling product FOMO, and why AI/software integration is the next frontier.</p><p>🎓 SHOW SUPPORTER SHOUTOUTLooking to up-skill your team and stop making costly callbacks? This episode is proudly supported by A121 Training—the UK’s premier, 80% hands-on electrical and renewable training center.👉 Secure your spot and browse all masterclasses (Battery, Inverter, EV &amp; 18th Edition) here: <a href="https://a121.co.uk/courses.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://a121.co.uk/courses.php</a></p><p>⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Sam&#39;s 18-year history in solar and surviving the pre-FiT era.0:36 - Distribution vs Design: Inside Waxman Energy&#39;s total product kit.1:43 - The evolving 50/50 split between residential and C&amp;I commercial solar.2:34 - Brand breakdown: Managing major partnerships from Longi to Enphase.3:19 - Product preview: Van Der Valk&#39;s new &quot;Valk Ace Mark 2&quot; launching at InterSolar.4:12 - Inside Europe&#39;s &quot;best training rig&quot; and uplifting the trade with Apprentice 121.5:45 - Massive physical growth: Expanding to 140,000 sq ft of warehousing.6:53 - Future trends: The &quot;Year of the Gateway&quot; and the shift toward AI.8:08 - Closing remarks and podcast wrap-up.</p><p>📍 New episodes every week – subscribe so you don’t miss out.🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts &amp; all major platforms.</p><p>👉 Join the conversation:YouTube: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://youtube.com/%40only.panels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://youtube.com/@only.panels</a>Spotify: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://open.spotify.com/show/6hK6YjzSti3iQrKDOuDXea%3Fsi%3Dc00c11372fc64a2f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://open.spotify.com/show/6hK6YjzSti3iQrKDOuDXea?si=c00c11372fc64a2f</a>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://linkedin.com/company/only-panels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://linkedin.com/company/only-panels</a>TikTok &amp; Instagram: @onlypanels</p><p>#Solar #SolarInstallers #OnlyPanelsPodcast #Renewables #SolarPV #WaxmanEnergy #SolarDistribution #Enphase #AlphaESS #VanDerValk #CommercialSolar</p>

Episode thumbnail for Season 2 EP3 – We Drank 5 Beers In A Dodgy Van To Review The Brand New Anker Solix XE 🚐💨

June 6, 2026

Season 2 EP3 – We Drank 5 Beers In A Dodgy Van To Review The Brand New Anker Solix XE 🚐💨

<p>🎙️ Welcome to Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, the podcast for solar PV professionals and enthusiasts.In this episode:🔹 We stack into Aaron&#39;s dodgy van at the Waxman event day to talk about the massive shift happening in the renewable market.🔹 A deep dive into the brand new Anker Solix XE—a 5kW inverter and 7kWh battery integrated into a single, Lego-like block that installs in 5 minutes.🔹 Stacking power: How the XE hits up to 120kWh in parallel with 3 MPPTs, C5 anti-corrosion, and a massive 10,000-cycle warranty.🔹 The &quot;Cheap Becomes Expensive&quot; reality check—why cheap battery brands going bust overnight has left installers and consumers vulnerable.🔹 Real talk on modern solar: Why traditional &quot;ROI&quot; talk is dead, and why premium gear like Longi panels are flying out of port faster than ships can dock.🎓 SHOW SUPPORTER SHOUTOUTLooking to up-skill your team and stop making costly callbacks? This episode is proudly supported by A121 Training—the UK’s premier, 80% hands-on electrical and renewable training center.📅 Next Course Date: 4th June | Solar Roofing Masterclass👉 Secure your spot and browse all masterclasses (Battery, Inverter, EV &amp; 18th Edition) here: https://a121.co.uk/courses.php⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 - 0:09: Introduction to the product features.0:09 - 0:32: Welcome and introduction of guests.0:32 - 0:42: Guests introduce themselves.0:42 - 0:56: Discussion about new products from Anker Solix.0:56 - 1:26: Market insights and product launch details.1:26 - 1:53: Product specifications and features.1:53 - 2:08: Additional product features and benefits.2:08 - 2:41: Discussion on corrosion resistance and warranty.2:41 - 3:19: New build projects and product applications.3:19 - 3:52: Installation time and product scalability.3:52 - 4:21: Installation details and product components.4:21 - 5:07: Product flexibility and consumer benefits.5:07 - 5:58: Product features and AI integration.5:58 - 6:27: Integration with smart home systems.6:27 - 7:13: Industry insights and product positioning.7:13 - 8:14: Discussion on product affordability and quality.8:14 - 9:16: Market trends and product reliability.9:16 - 10:14: Warranty and company credibility.10:14 - 11:07: Product investment and consumer advice.11:07 - 12:09: Manufacturer support and installer importance.12:09 - 13:16: Closing remarks and episode wrap-up.📍 New episodes every week – subscribe so you don’t miss out.🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts &amp; all major platforms.👉 Join the conversation:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@only.panelsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6hK6YjzSti3iQrKDOuDXea?si=c00c11372fc64a2fLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/only-panelsTikTok &amp; Instagram: @onlypanels#Solar #SolarInstallers #OnlyPanelsPodcast #Renewables #SolarPV #AnkerSolix #Longi #BatteryStorage</p>

21 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is Only Panels - Solar Installer Chats?

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.

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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