Solar Sidekicks Podcast
Solar Sidekicks is the go-to podcast for all things solar, serving up essential insights with a friendly, down-to-earth vibe. Hosted by industry professional Pat Southwell and his co-host Lauren Ciconte, each episode explores technical topics, industry regulations, and the real-world challenges faced by solar installers across Australia.
Together they share practical knowledge from the field, tackle important issues affecting the industry, and stand up for what’s right by helping voices be heard on topics that can hit solar installers hard. They also highlight some of the great people working in the industry and help listeners stay across the constant changes in this fast-evolving sector.
Whether you’re a solar installer, apprentice, or simply interested in solar, Solar Sidekicks keeps you informed, connected, and up to date with what’s happening in the industry.
Solar Sidekicks Podcast
S2E10 - Smart Energy Conference
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🎙️ Solar Sidekicks Podcast – Live from Smart Energy Conference!
This week’s episode is a little different — we’re live from the floor of the Smart Energy Conference in Sydney! Pat and Lauren set up shop at the Glass Media Booth and caught up with a stack of industry legends, including:
• Sam Craft from SA Power Networks
• Lowana Smith from Schletter
• Dean Williamson from GoodWe
• Luke from TradeZone
Later, we headed over to the Solar Cutters Networking event, where we grabbed a few more chats with:
• Garth and Johnny from MyEnergi
• Luke Beattie from iStore
• Bryn Foletta from Solargain
• Lauren and Costa from Solar Cutters
Rather than getting technical, this episode is more of a catch-up — hearing what everyone’s been working on, their take on the conference, and the huge buzz around the new federal battery rebate. It's clear the rebate announcement was the talk of the event, and we dive into what it could mean for the future of solar and storage across Australia.
A massive thanks to everyone who stopped by for a chat — it was unreal to catch up in person!
Tune in for a relaxed, real, and slightly rowdy look at Smart Energy 2025.