How did one book inspire a solar movement?

In this episode of the Solar&StorageXtra podcast, guest host Ken Davies sits down with Giovanna Speciale, Founder and CEO of South East London Community Energy (SELCE).

Giovanna explains how reading a heartbreaking book on a train in 2009 became the community-powered movement of today that’s transforming Southeast London’s energy future.

As a community benefit society, SELCE now has half a megawatt of solar across 11 sites including schools, community centres, leisure centres, and even a hotel – all benefiting the communities that use them.

Hear how SELCE is blending renewable energy, community investment, and social equity to reshape the local grid - one rooftop at a time.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction by Ken Davies

01:11 – How a tearful tube journey led to SELCE

06:30 - What is a community benefit society?

07:15 – Finding space for solar

09:16 – The current state of SELCE

10:42 – SELCE’s commercial rooftop solar

14:50 – Making passive customers engaged

17:00 – Addressing energy poverty

23:00 – Hope for the future

Credits:

Guest host: Ken Davies

Guest: Giovanna Speciale, Founder and CEO of South East London Community Energy (SELCE)

Producer: Catie Owen, Editor of Solar&StorageXtra

Marketing: Katie Devaney, Marketing Director for Solar & Storage Live Europe

This podcast is a Terrapinn production. Discover the latest solar and storage news at solarstoragextra.com 

For podcast, editorial, thought leadership and commercial opportunities, get in touch with the Solar&StorageXtra team: [email protected]

Where are developers going wrong in their solar contracts?

In this episode of Solar&StorageXtra’s podcast, guest host Ken Davies speaks with Rhiannon Morgan-Williams, Partner at Ashfords LLP and a leading legal expert in renewable energy development.

With over a decade of experience advising developers and funders in solar and battery projects, Rhiannon shares her insider perspective on the evolving legal landscape around landowner agreements, option contracts, and the complexities developers face - from initial negotiation to grid connection.

From contract tips to agrivoltaics insights, this episode is essential listening for developers, landowners, and legal professionals in clean energy.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction by Ken Davies

02:15 - How legal processes have evolved in renewables

06:32 - What's driving contractual tensions with landowners

10:40 - Option agreements: trends in duration and terms

15:30 - Common developer mistakes and how to avoid them

21:10 - Grid connectivity delays and legal impacts

Credits:

Guest host: Ken Davies

Guest: Rhiannon Morgan-Williams, Partner at Ashfords LLP

Producer: Catie Owen, Editor of Solar&StorageXtra

Marketing: Katie Devaney, Marketing Director for Solar & Storage Live Europe

This podcast is a Terrapinn production. Discover the latest solar and storage news at solarstoragextra.com 

For podcast, editorial, thought leadership and commercial opportunities, get in touch with the Solar&StorageXtra team: [email protected]

Is Ireland’s rapid solar growth sustainable?

In our second episode, guest host Ken Davies sits down with Conall Bolger, CEO of the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA), to unpack the rapid growth of solar in Ireland.

With the country’s solar capacity growing by 43% between 2023 and 2024 and a national target of 8 GW by 2030, it’s a pivotal moment for the sector.

Conall shares how ISEA has driven policy change, navigates the opportunities and obstacles facing the Irish market, and explores innovative approaches like agri-PV and hybrid energy solutions.

The conversation also tackles grid constraints, the role of auctions, and how Ireland balances land use concerns with its clean energy ambitions.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction by Ken Davies

02:10 - What’s behind Ireland’s solar boom

05:45 - ISEA’s recent policy successes

09:30 – Ireland’s grid constraints and solutions

13:00 - Balancing agri-PV and land use

16:40 - The role of auctions and their impact on market growth

20:25 - Hybrid & co-location projects.

24:00 - What’s next for the Irish solar sector

Credits:

Guest host: Ken Davies

Guest: Conall Bolger, CEO of the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA)

Producer: Catie Owen, Editor of Solar&StorageXtra

Marketing: Katie Devaney, Marketing Director for Solar & Storage Live Europe

This podcast is a Terrapinn production. Discover the latest solar and storage news at solarstoragextra.com 

For podcast, editorial, thought leadership and commercial opportunities, get in touch with the Solar&StorageXtra team: [email protected]

Can the UK hit 60GW of solar by 2030?

In our first-ever episode, guest host Ken Davies, a chemical engineer with extensive industrial experience, speaks with Gemma Grimes, Director of Policy and Delivery at Solar Energy UK.

Together, they explore the UK’s bold clean energy targets, policy shifts, and the real-world challenges of scaling solar to 60GW by 2030 - and potentially 90GW by 2035.

Gemma unpacks the economic value of solar, key infrastructure hurdles, and why skills development is critical to reaching net zero. She also tackles land-use misconceptions, rooftop solar potential, and how future standards could drive (or hinder) adoption.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction by Ken Davies

02:30 – Solar deployment milestones & 2030 targets

04:45 – Political support & policy direction

07:00 – Economic benefits & job creation

11:40 – Grid infrastructure & planning challenges

16:00 – Skills gap and talent development

22:00 – Land-use myths & public perceptions

24:30 – Future Homes Standards & Policy Outlook

25:30 – Optimism for solar's future in the UK

Credits:

Guest host: Ken Davies

Guest: Gemma Grimes, Director of Policy and Delivery at Solar Energy UK

Producer: Catie Owen, Editor of Solar&StorageXtra 

Marketing: Katie Devaney, Marketing Director for Solar & Storage Live Europe

This podcast is a Terrapinn production. Discover the latest solar and storage news at solarstoragextra.com 

For podcast, editorial, thought leadership and commercial opportunities, get in touch with the Solar&StorageXtra team: [email protected]