Only Panels - Solar Installer Chats

Dan is back in the studio this week and we’re joined by a special guest: Adam Stears (SOTA Electrical) — EV charger specialist, YouTuber, and all-round industry voice.We dive into:⚡ Adam’s 20+ year journey in the electrical industry🔌 The rise of EV charging & what makes a good install🔋 How to integrate EV chargers with solar & battery systems (without draining the home battery)☀️ Payback times & the “is solar worth it?” question for different age groups📱 How social media has transformed the way electricians win work and build trust with clients🔧 Practical tips, pitfalls with DNOs, export limits, and charger brand talk (Zappi, Hypervolt, Tesla, SIG, GivEnergy, and more)🚗 Future of EV charging — vehicle-to-grid, balcony solar, and where Adam sees things headingThere’s plenty of laughs too — from giant Snap-on cutters to barista chat, holiday solar spotting, and the reality of “customers who already know everything from YouTube.”👉 Whether you’re an installer, EV owner, or just curious about the future of charging and batteries, this one’s packed with insight.📅 Also in this episode:Dan on his upcoming EV and charger choice for the DMH officeMichael on the challenges (and humour) of spotting solar in New YorkUpcoming events:• Elex Coventry – Super Rod Happy Electrician Bootcamp + Safe Isolation 11th Sept• Solar & Storage Live (NEC, 23–25 Sept) – meet us there!✅ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.💬 Drop your EV charging or battery questions below – we’ll tackle them in future episodes.

In Episode 7 of Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, we bring you a visual compilation of clips recorded at the Installer Show and CEF Live at the NEC 2025.From sodium-ion batteries to stackable storage, hybrid heating, new EV chargers, EnviroTile solar roofs and more — this episode is packed with the latest product developments and installer insights.👀 Best experienced on YouTube or Spotify Video — watch along to see the products in action!

📅 Release: Wednesday 19th August at 7pm🎤 Guest: Aaron James Darvill – Senior Sales Manager, UK & Ireland, Anker Solix🎧 Hosts: Michael Stott (East Renewables)🔋 What do Christian Louboutins, balcony batteries, and the Solarcoaster have in common?They all come up in this week’s episode with the one and only Aaron Darvill from Anker Solix — and trust us, this one’s got range.Anker might be best known for USB chargers and power banks, but Aaron reveals how their leap into home energy storage has been years in the making — and why the Anker Solix X1 isn’t just another white box on the wall. From their obsession with installer education to their C5 corrosion-proof, IP66-rated design, Aaron lays out how Anker Solix is doing things differently.We dive into:⚡️ Aaron’s 15+ year journey in battery storage⚡️ How Anker went from consumer tech to solar storage⚡️ The wild story behind the TikTok shoes that weren’t the battery⚡️ Why Solix only works with trained “ambassadors,” not just installers⚡️ What to expect at Solar & Storage Live at the NEC⚡️ Their new three-phase systems, SG-Ready integration, and EV chargers⚡️ Balcony storage in Europe — and why the UK isn’t ready (yet)Whether you’re an installer, distributor, or just into smart solar tech, this episode will give you insight into where the battery game is headed — and why it’s not just about kWh anymore.🎉 Come meet us at Solar & Storage Live📍 NEC Birmingham – 23–25 SeptemberAnker Solix will be there — you’ll hear them before you see them.Don’t miss the live tech talks, product demos, giveaways, and good vibes.🛠️ Mentioned in this episode:Anker Solix X1Anchor Academy (installer training)Segen, Callidus Wholesale, Western SolarSG Ready integration with heat pumpsSolar Bank 3 Pro (balcony battery storage – EU only for now)📲 Follow & Subscribe:@onlypanelspodcast on Instagram, TikTok & YouTubeNew episodes every week featuring real installer insights, product breakdowns, and honest industry chat.#OnlyPanelsPodcast #AnkerSolix #SolarInstaller #BatteryStorage #Renewables #SolarStorageLive #NECBirmingham #EnergyStorage #InstallerLife #SolarCoaster #HeatPumps #EVChargers

🎙 Episode 5 – Mega Solar Installs with The Solar ComposerIn this episode of Only Panels, hosts Michael Stott (East Renewables) and Dan Holliday (DMH Electrical & Renewables) are joined by Chris Nottingham, better known as The Solar Composer, founder of The Solar Roofing Company.Chris is a legend in the solar roofing world, known for delivering some of the largest, most complex, and highest-quality solar installations across the UK. We dive deep into:🚧 The unique challenges of large-scale solar projects🛠 Combining roofing expertise with solar technology for flawless installs⚡ Why attention to detail can make or break a project📈 Scaling your operations while keeping standards sky-high💡 Creative solutions to tricky installation environments🤝 Building trust with clients and contractors🌍 How big solar projects are shaping the renewable energy landscapeWhether you’re an installer, project manager, or just passionate about the clean energy transition, this conversation offers practical tips, industry insights, and inspiration from one of the best in the business.Chris also shares his journey in the solar industry, his approach to team building, and how The Solar Roofing Company is helping redefine what’s possible on the UK’s rooftops.🔊 Available now on Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.💬 Have a question for our next guest? Want to share your installation horror story? Drop us a message at onlypanels.com#SolarPV #SolarRoofing #OnlyPanels #InstallerPodcast #RenewableEnergy #SolarInstaller #TheSolarComposer #CleanEnergy #RoofingExperts #BatteryStorage #EnergyStorage #EVChargers #SolarProjects #SolarTips #GreenEnergy

In Episode 4 of Only Panels, hosts Michael (East Renewables) and Dan Holliday (DMH Electrical & Renewables) take a no-filter look at the chaos caused by G99 application rejections and long-winded DNO processes.They share real-world frustrations of dealing with 45-week+ lead times, broken communication, outdated systems, and how this is crippling consumer trust, violating consumer codes, and outright stopping solar projects from going ahead.From the ridiculous admin burden installers face, to the lack of accountability from network operators — this is a raw, honest chat on how the people actually doing the work are the ones being left out of the conversation.💬 Key Topics:Why G99 approvals take months (or get ignored altogether)The broken DNO communication loop – no numbers, no updates, no helpHow installer reputations are destroyed by grid delaysThe tech gap between DNOs and modern solar systemsWhy public pressure and industry reform is long overdueThis one’s for every installer who’s been ghosted by a DNO, held hostage by red tape, or blamed for delays outside their control.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube Premiere & all podcast platforms🎙️ Featuring real on-the-roof insights from Michael & Dan#OnlyPanels #G99Application #SolarInstallers #DNODelays #RenewableEnergy #GridConnection #InstallerTalk #CleanEnergy #SolarPV #BatteryStorage #MCS

🎙️ Episode 3: Is Tesla Powerwall 3 the Best Battery on the Market? And What Happened to GivEnergy?This week on Only Panels, I’m joined by co-host Dan Holliday from DMH Electrical and Renewables, and special guests Libby and Francesca from Azzurri Electrical, as we deep-dive into the latest in solar PV, battery technology, and the shifting energy landscape in the UK.We kick things off with the much-hyped Tesla Powerwall 3 — is it really the best battery solution available in 2025? We explore its AI-driven energy management, installation challenges, full appliance discharge capability, and how it stacks up to competitors like SIG and other energy storage brands.Then, we turn our attention to GivEnergy, a name once synonymous with UK energy storage. We talk frankly about their apparent decline in installer popularity, product delays, and how shifting market dynamics and competition may be impacting their reputation — despite still offering solid technical support.We also open up about the realities of working as solar and battery installers — from commissioning clunkiness to EV charger integration, solar metering, customer expectations, and future-proofing energy systems for homeowners and businesses.🔥 Topics covered:Tesla Powerwall 3 features and performanceSigEnergy and other Battery systemsGivEnergy’s market standing in 2025Energy storage vs. battery backupEV charger headaches (Zappi… we’re looking at you!)Smart charging and virtual power plantsMonitoring systems and the importance of optimisersThe real-world experience of battery installationThe rise of electric vans and changing vehicle techThe future of retail and smart home integration📊 Key takeaways:Powerwall 3 might be the best battery — but it’s not perfectGivEnergy has lost market momentumBattery sales are tough without strong education and supportInstallation quality still varies wildlyThe future is smart, monitored, and fully integratedInstallers play a critical role in shaping the industry🔧 Whether you’re a solar pro, battery installer, or just curious about where the renewable energy industry is headed, this episode is packed with real talk, first-hand experience, and the kinds of discussions we need to improve standards across the board.🔗 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review – it helps us spread the word and drive change in the solar game.#TeslaPowerwall #GivEnergy #SolarPV #BatteryStorage #EVChargers #RenewableEnergy #SmartHome #SolarInstaller #EnergyStorage #Tesla #Zappi #EnergyManagement #VirtualPowerPlants #InRoofSolar #Commissioning #InstallerLife #UKSolar #OnlyPanels

🎙️ Ep2 – GSE vs Viridian: Which In-Roof Solar System Comes Out on Top?In this episode of Only Panels, Dan from DMH Electrical & Renewables and Michael from East Renewables dive deep into the debate between two of the UK’s most talked-about in-roof solar mounting systems: GSE Integration and Viridian Solar Clearline Fusion.Recorded live on Instagram, this unfiltered installer chat covers:– Real-world pros and cons of GSE and Viridian systems– In-roof vs on-roof solar mounting – what's the difference?– Aesthetic impact, waterproofing, ease of installation, and MCS compliance– Fire safety, airflow, and maintenance access considerations– Viewer questions and some controversial takes you won't want to missIs GSE winning over more installers in 2025? Has Dan changed his mind? And which system do we now prefer for integrated solar roofs?This episode is a must-listen for solar panel installers, renewable energy professionals, homeowners planning solar, and anyone comparing roof-integrated PV systems in the UK.🔧 #SolarEnergy #InRoofSolar #GSEIntegration #ViridianSolar #SolarInstallerPodcast #RoofIntegratedPV #ClearlineFusion #RenewablesUK #OnlyPanels #EastRenewables #DMHElectrical

In this episode, we delve into the critical importance of proper installation techniques, particularly in the realm of solar panel setups. Join us as we uncover the pitfalls of substandard installations and the potential risks they pose, not just to property but to safety. Through real-life stories and expert insights, we emphasize why cutting corners can lead to costly consequences and how adhering to best practices ensures both efficiency and peace of mind. Tune in to learn how to safeguard your investments and ensure your installations stand the test of time. See the full video mentioned from DMH Electrical and Renewableshttps://youtu.be/FoAUZg25Y2A?si=aY2ok_9n7qJEr0p0