🎙️ S2, Ep24: James Hazell  - Fronius

This week, we’re recording at 7am in a mystery Melbourne Airbnb… with Fronius state manager James Hazell — who’s technically on holiday (sort of). We dig into the nerdy, the niche, and the new Fronius battery rollout. But first: competitive puzzle racing, Christmas trees, and the correct screwdriver for a Snap Inverter.

James talks about:

– His journey from nerdy teen PC builder to national sales rep

– What he’s seeing in Queensland & NT (plus tips for regional support)

– The new Fronius Reserva battery: rollout, sizing hiccups & installer feedback

– How being technical and people-focused helps in solar sales

– His monster 40kW residential system in Brisbane

– Why the Fronius culture (and merch) hits different

We also touch on the SIG recall, EVs, bollards, Powerwalls, and the great north/south roof debate.

Massive thanks to James for hosting us and sharing his story — even while trying to win a national puzzle championship. 🧩

The solar world lit up this week after SIG Energy issued a major product recall on its 8, 10, and 12kW single-phase inverters — and just 24 hours later, we hit record. From installer frustrations to industry-wide concern, Pat and Lauren sit down for an unfiltered, balanced chat about what’s really going on.

With guest calls from James Taylor (Taylor Energy), Nigel Morris (Smart Energy Council), Yorick Mark (MC Electrical), and Warren Monsma (Sunbuilt Solar), we cover everything from comms breakdowns and warranty logistics to technical installation challenges and the emotional toll on the ground.

This isn’t about finger-pointing — it’s about staying informed, keeping calm, and pulling together as an industry. Whether you’re a SIG diehard, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode is for you.

🎙️ S2, Ep22 — Live from All-Energy with Nigel Morris: Batteries, Booths & Banter

We caught up with Nigel Morris live at All-Energy on the GoodWe stand, and wow — this one’s packed. Batteries are booming, booths are blinging, and Nigel’s new role as Chief Strategy Officer at the Smart Energy Council is keeping him flat out (and off the Catch Power tools).

We talk VPPs, recycled silver, CER audits (or lack of them), and whether the battery surge will last. Plus:

– Recaps from the Solar Cutters Awards 🏆

– Emotional farewell to solar legend Kathleen Ryan 💐

– Why Lauren’s feeling chuffed (spoiler: award-winning stuff)

– How Pat missed an elevator thanks to a fan 😅

– And what’s next for solar renters, C&I installs, and the industry's future.

There’s heaps to love in this one — laughs, insights, and a little light grief for the CEC.

🎙️ S2E21 – George Auchterlonie: REST Energy

Recorded at the SolarQuotes Awards, on the eve of All Energy officially kicking off, this episode dives into the story of George Auchterlonie — firefighter, solar installer,  founder of Rest Energy in Hobart & of course The Tassie Solar Man.

Pat and Lauren sit down with George to talk about life before solar, going from the tools to running a business, his approach to off-grid installs, and why he still jumps on the tools for the tricky jobs. There’s also plenty of chat about what’s happening at All Energy, battery product teething issues, subby models, CEC frustrations, and the realities of running a small solar biz in Tassie.

It’s a laid-back, open chat with one of the most genuine operators in the game.

No guest? No worries. In this jam-packed episode, Pat and Lauren catch up on all the wild weather, long days, solo installs, and industry shake-ups that have defined the past few weeks.

The big topic: Aldi Solar. Yep — Aldi has entered the solar game with its own branded inverter and battery systems, plus a tie-in with Bunnings. Pat and Lauren break down what this means for quality, pricing, and the future of the trade. Is it just another race to the bottom, or a sign of where solar is headed?

Also in this episode:
– The GoodWe inverter recall and how they’ve handled it
– WorkSafe Month and real-world safetyPat Southwell: takeaways from the rooftop (& a toastie)
– A big shoutout to GoodWe’s new brand ambassador, cricketer Alex Carey — and why this actually feels different from the usual celebrity solar promos
– Lauren’s nearly-finished Cert II, Pat’s new EV5 GT (luxury & roof racks together), and navigating charger dramas
– Plus: a few rogue calls to industry legends Blair Pester and Brad McDonald, with some surprisingly wholesome results

📍 Recorded at the Solar Sidekicks Studio
🎧 A proper catch-up between mates — smart, salty, and seriously solar.

Batteries, VPPs & the Future of Home Electrification

This week on Solar Sidekicks, we're deep-diving into the world of virtual power plants (VPPs), dynamic energy systems, and home electrification with Tom Gay, Sales Manager at Origin Energy.

Recorded in the heart of Melbourne at Origin HQ, Pat and Lauren sit down with Tom to unpack how battery storage, VPPs, and evolving consumer habits are reshaping the energy landscape — from the early days of disco-light signal rooms (yep, really) to AI-powered energy orchestration.

We talk:

    •    VPP myths vs. reality

    •    Battery plan transparency and customer control

    •    Origin’s expanding suite of battery-friendly retail plans

    •    Community batteries, EV charging, and hot water load shifting

    •    What’s next in the energy transition — and Origin’s role in it

A smart, fun, and future-focused convo — and one of our most informative episodes to date.

Batteries, VPPs & the Future of Home Electrification

This week on Solar Sidekicks, we're deep-diving into the world of virtual power plants (VPPs), dynamic energy systems, and home electrification with Tom Gay, Sales Manager at Origin Energy.

Recorded in the heart of Melbourne at Origin HQ, Pat and Lauren sit down with Tom to unpack how battery storage, VPPs, and evolving consumer habits are reshaping the energy landscape — from the early days of disco-light signal rooms (yep, really) to AI-powered energy orchestration.

We talk:

    •    VPP myths vs. reality

    •    Battery plan transparency and customer control

    •    Origin’s expanding suite of battery-friendly retail plans

    •    Community batteries, EV charging, and hot water load shifting

    •    What’s next in the energy transition — and Origin’s role in it

A smart, fun, and future-focused convo — and one of our most informative episodes to date.

S2E18 – Flipping the Mic: The Untold Story of Pat Southwell

In the most-requested episode of Solar Sidekicks yet, Lauren flips the mic and interviews her co-host Pat Southwell — and it’s an absolute belter.

From dropping out of school and working in a Kmart warehouse at 15, to becoming a licensed electrical inspector, CEC insider, solar trainer, and respected industry voice — Pat gets real about the winding path he took to get where he is now.

There are no filters here — just a raw, honest, and often hilarious chat about the early trade days, working with his (left-handed wire-twisting) dad, his A-Grade setbacks, industry war stories, battery gray areas, and how the solar coaster nearly flung him off a few times.

💬 In this episode:

• The real story behind Pat’s start in solar
• Life before and after the CEC
• Southwell Solar Training and what’s next
• Why Melbourne’s “inspector shortage” might be BS
• Grey-area battery rules, CER madness & 6 selfie frustrations
• R U OK? Day reminders and mental health in the trade
• WorkSafe surprise visits (and how to handle a dob-in)
• True Value Solar, ground-mount chaos, and career curveballs
• The hilarious twist of how Lauren got nominated for a Solar Cutters Award (👀)

This one’s big, bold, and completely unfiltered — equal parts origin story, industry breakdown, and inspo for anyone who's ever felt like they’re winging it, burning out, or finding their way in solar the long way round.

Real talk. Trade talk. Solar Sidekicks at its raw best.

S2E18 – Flipping the Mic: The Untold Story of Pat Southwell

In the most-requested episode of Solar Sidekicks yet, Lauren flips the mic and interviews her co-host Pat Southwell — and it’s an absolute belter.

From dropping out of school and working in a Kmart warehouse at 15, to becoming a licensed electrical inspector, CEC insider, solar trainer, and respected industry voice — Pat gets real about the winding path he took to get where he is now.

There are no filters here — just a raw, honest, and often hilarious chat about the early trade days, working with his (left-handed wire-twisting) dad, his A-Grade setbacks, industry war stories, battery gray areas, and how the solar coaster nearly flung him off a few times.

💬 In this episode:

• The real story behind Pat’s start in solar
• Life before and after the CEC
• Southwell Solar Training and what’s next
• Why Melbourne’s “inspector shortage” might be BS
• Grey-area battery rules, CER madness & 6 selfie frustrations
• R U OK? Day reminders and mental health in the trade
• WorkSafe surprise visits (and how to handle a dob-in)
• True Value Solar, ground-mount chaos, and career curveballs
• The hilarious twist of how Lauren got nominated for a Solar Cutters Award (👀)

This one’s big, bold, and completely unfiltered — equal parts origin story, industry breakdown, and inspo for anyone who's ever felt like they’re winging it, burning out, or finding their way in solar the long way round.

Real talk. Trade talk. Solar Sidekicks at its raw best.

It’s our 50th! Pat and Lauren welcome Ben Wright (Solar Victoria) for a practical, no-spin tour of what’s working—and what’s not—in Victoria’s residential solar and battery programs.

We dig into current audit data (80% compliant; unsafe <0.1%), the drop in audit rates thanks to quality lifts, and the #1 battery defect: labeling. We also cover heat-pump rebates (up to $1,400 incl. local-manufacture bonus), Solar for Apartments phase two, a new ceiling-insulation incentive via VEU, and how Solar Vic coordinates with ESV to avoid double-audits.

Safety and consumer protection get real airtime: edge protection, WorkSafe QR check-ins, no door-knocking/telemarketing, and why new-build rebates are changing the game. Ben also shouts out the toolbox talks and checklists installers can use anywhere in Australia.