Just Another Solar Podcast

Send us a textIt’s the year of the battery… and everything’s on fire (mostly metaphorically).Luke, Nigel, Jess and Karl rip into Australia’s battery boom — unpacking rebate changes, installer sign-off limits, AC vs DC battery beef, free-power price signals, and why half the country wants a home battery immediately.Along the way they call out dodgy installs, argue about who actually owns the mess when systems break, debate whether vehicle-to-grid is finally ready (or still dreaming), question remote shutdowns, recycling, and admit — reluctantly — that every monitoring app still kind of sucks.Plus: winners and losers for the year, Spotify Wrapped banter, EV charging confusion, free electricity windows, and some very bold predictions for 2026.Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice. 00:00:00 Welcome and End-of-Year Energy00:01:14 Battery Boom Reality Check00:02:02 Rebate Changes Explained00:04:22 AC vs DC Battery Debate00:05:09 Broken Systems and Blame00:07:34 Responsibility and Ownership00:09:19 Installer Limits and Sign-Off Rules00:12:19 Distributor Discounts Discussion00:15:02 The Year of the Battery00:16:33 Electrify Everything Momentum00:18:26 Battery Safety and Remote Shutdowns00:19:26 Recycling and End-of-Life Challenges00:21:09 Winners of the Year00:22:37 Losers and Missed Opportunities00:23:14 Vehicle-to-Grid Reality Check00:27:08 Free Power and Tariff Signals00:29:32 Spotify Wrapped Banter00:32:05 Monitoring Apps and User Frustration00:35:31 EV Charging Confusion00:38:56 Predictions for 202600:42:39 Politics and Energy Narratives00:44:26 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Send us a textIt’s been a big week in solar… and we somehow didn’t make it worse (well… not intentionally).In this episode we unpack the latest on the Cheap Home Batteries program, including what’s changing, why it matters, and how it impacts installers, retailers, and customers chasing those “too good to be true” mega-battery deals.Then we’re joined by Shane Jurgenstein (Sales Manager) and Gaven Xu (Pre-Sales Engineer) from GoodWe for a proper chat about what’s actually happening in the battery market right now — from the shift to all-in-one systems, backup and bypass switching, charge/discharge performance, and the realities of expanding systems over time. Plus: Prime Minister house visits, cricket brand ambassadors (Alex Carey), the GoodWe Rewards program for installers, and a few classic JASP technical difficulties along the way.As always: a bit of banter, a bit of chaos, and plenty of substance for anyone trying to keep up with Australia’s fastest-moving electrification market.Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice. Subscribe on Spotify/YouTube so you don’t miss the final wrap-up episode for the year.00:00:00 Welcome and Year-End Fatigue00:01:02 Cheap Home Batteries Controversy00:01:29 Scheme Changes Explained00:03:04 Government Funding Boost00:03:52 Rebate Tier Breakdown00:05:10 Sales Tactics and Oversizing00:06:15 Industry Impacts and Grid Benefits00:07:15 Market Scale and Global Context00:08:41 Christmas Season Reality Check00:09:19 New Australian Solar Factory00:10:45 Local Manufacturing Competition00:12:06 Spotify Wrapped Milestones00:13:55 Tesla Powerwall Charging Update00:15:10 Remote Control and Consumer Rights00:16:20 Introducing GoodWe Guests00:17:25 Career Journeys in Solar00:18:20 Company Growth and Culture00:21:05 Home Energy System Setup00:22:10 Electrification and EV Integration00:23:00 All-In-One Battery Systems00:24:30 Whole-Home Backup Explained00:26:15 Battery Safety Architecture00:28:10 Factory Tours and QA00:30:20 Supply Chains and Stock Levels00:31:30 Modular Batteries and Expansion00:33:10 Battery Longevity and Upgrades00:34:30 Fire Safety and Protection Layers00:37:30 Sports Sponsorship Strategy00:39:50 Cricket, Branding, and Culture00:42:20 Future Product Roadmap00:43:20 Commercial Storage Opportunities00:44:30 Peak Shaving and Grid Services00:46:00 Battery Attachment Rates Surge00:47:45 Inverter Oversupply Challenges00:49:55 Hybrid vs Non-Hybrid Reality00:52:25 Market Transformation Stories00:54:00 Final Thoughts from Guests00:55:25 Installer Rewards Program00:56:40 Social Media Ban Banter00:57:20 Industry Appreciation00:58:25 Closing Thanks and Sign-Off

Send us a textThis episode takes a detailed look at the Sigenergy recall, covering the timeline of issues, communication breakdowns, installer frustrations, fire incident investigations, and the broader implications for product testing, compliance, and industry transparency. Guest Anthony Bennett joins the discussion to help unpack what happened, what went wrong, and what the solar sector can learn moving forward.This episode is proudly sponsored by Southwell Solar Training—delivering practical, standards-based CPD that installers actually find useful. Their online courses cover real-world issues like defects, labelling, battery installation, and system upgrades, helping solar professionals stay compliant while building confidence on the job.Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice. 00:00 Opening Banter01:23 Podcast Intro02:31 Nigel’s New Solar System06:24 Everything Electric Recap07:36 Smart Energy Council Updates09:25 Coalition Net-Zero Shift11:07 Nuclear vs Renewables Debate14:41 Introducing Anthony Bennett16:43 Timeline of SIG Issues19:44 Early Reports & Communication Gaps22:11 Voluntary Recall Explained23:51 Installer Impact & Responsibilities25:15 SIG Communication Challenges26:59 Fire Incident Discussion30:45 SolarQuotes Article Timeline34:04 Other Plug Recalls36:30 Approval & Testing Questions38:06 SIG Moderation Debate41:24 Transparency Concerns43:13 Recall Scale & Risk Context44:16 Installer Frustration45:26 Facts on Recall & Replacements48:23 Business Impact & Scheduling49:57 Two-Per-Day Rule Clarified50:35 Replacement Stock & Logistics52:14 Recall Communication Debate53:47 Product vs Install Fault56:42 Broader Electrification Load Issues58:22 Cable, Switchboard & Load Concerns01:00:21 Lessons for Industry01:02:26 Online Reactions & Tension01:02:49 Final Round & Wrap-Up

Send us a textJeff Sykes from Solar Choice joins the podcast to unpack the latest in Australia’s solar and electrification landscape, covering battery market trends, AI’s growing role in the industry, installer quality and vetting, EV charging developments, and what to expect at upcoming energy events.This episode is proudly sponsored by Southwell Solar Training—delivering practical, standards-based CPD that installers actually find useful. Their online courses cover real-world issues like defects, labelling, battery installation, and system upgrades, helping solar professionals stay compliant while building confidence on the job.Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice. 00:00 All Energy Recap02:00 Battery Boom & Gateway Gossip07:40 China’s V2G World10:00 CEC Clarification11:20 Free Energy Hours Plan14:30 Solar + Battery Economics16:30 Guest Intro: Jeff Sykes18:15 Jeff’s Origin Story24:30 AI in Solar Choice32:30 Solar Choice Installer Vetting35:00 EV Charging Podcast37:20 Everything Electric Show Preview43:40 Solar Quote Platforms45:00 Lead Quality & SEO53:10 Jeff’s Life in Byron54:10 Tesla Rebates & Final Round56:10 Nigel’s China Shoutout57:25 Wrap-Up with Jeff58:10 Sponsor Message

Send us a textAndrew Burgess from Solar Juice joins the podcast to discuss Australia’s renewable energy landscape — from the evolution of Solar Juice and its return to Australian ownership, to the rise of battery storage, electrification, and the future of sustainable energy innovation.This episode is proudly sponsored by Southwell Solar Training—delivering practical, standards-based CPD that installers actually find useful. Their online courses cover real-world issues like defects, labelling, battery installation, and system upgrades, helping solar professionals stay compliant while building confidence on the job.Just Another Solar Podcast is hosted by Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen, Nigel Morris and Jess MacPherson. It's a casual conversation that shouldn't be taken as business, financial or legal advice. 00:00:00 Introduction and Energy Industry Catch-Up00:01:31 Melbourne Weather and Upcoming Events00:02:15 SIG Energy Update from Tasmania00:03:45 Company Administration and Industry Struggles00:06:05 Software Platforms and Market Challenges00:06:41 Nigel’s Upcoming Solar Installation Plans00:08:05 Electrification in Mining and Transport00:09:45 Marine Batteries and Heavy Equipment Innovation00:10:10 Introducing Guest — Andrew Burgess (Solar Juice)00:11:00 Early Career and BP Solar Days00:13:00 Founding of Solar Juice in 200900:15:00 Acquisition by SPI and Initial Growth00:17:00 Share Collapse and Hard Lessons Learned00:19:20 Operating Under a Parent Company00:21:00 Loyalty, Culture and Team Legacy00:22:00 Dolores and Industry Pioneers Remembered00:24:10 Australian Ownership Restored at Solar Juice00:26:30 Electrification and Partnerships with Fortescue00:28:20 Cheaper Home Batteries Program Discussion00:30:00 Government Briefings and Policy Insights00:31:10 Supply Chain and Product Quality Concerns00:33:00 Corporate Responsibility and ESG Compliance00:36:10 Battery Stewardship and Recycling Programs00:38:20 Sustainability and Long-Term Accountability00:39:45 Company Culture and Employee Retention00:42:00 Trade Shows and Customer Engagement00:44:00 Family Values and Relationship Building00:45:30 Creative Marketing and Brand Innovation00:46:50 Battery Program Margins and Market Pressure00:47:45 Government Rebates and Industry Impact00:50:00 Future of Solar and Electrification Trends00:52:30 Work-Life Balance and Personal Reflection00:54:00 Lessons on Business Growth and Adaptation00:54:30 Final Comments and Tesla Energy Update00:55:30 Industry Networking and Tesla Initiatives00:56:20 Labour Demand and Installer Shortages00:56:45 Nigel’s Reflections on Podcasting and Family00:57:30 Closing Remarks from Andrew Burgess00:58:00 Farewell and All-Energy Expo Invitation