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 pro Pat Southwell, each episode unpacks the technicalities, tackles regulations, and tracks the latest trend
Episodes
47 episodes
S2E26 - 2025 Recap: Unfiltered
🎙️ S2, Ep26 — 2025 Recap: UnfilteredIt’s the final episode of Season 2 — and we’re going out with a bang. There’s laughs, recaps, corrections, and a huge announcement about something that’s been missing from the industry fo...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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1:16:02
S2E25 - Battery Rebate Shakeup
🎙️ S2, Ep25 — Battery Rebate ShakeupIt’s the second-last episode of the year, and things are well and truly cooked. We break down the big changes to the federal battery rebate (dropping from May 1), talk panic buying, dod...
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1:29:45
S2E24 - James Hazell | Fronius
🎙️ S2, Ep24: James Hazell - FroniusThis 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,...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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1:02:00
S2E23 - Sigenergy Recall
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 dow...
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1:23:52
S2E22 - Nigel Morris | Smart Energy Council
🎙️ S2, Ep22 — Live from All-Energy with Nigel Morris: Batteries, Booths & BanterWe caught up with Nigel Morris live at All-Energy on the GoodWe stand, and wow — this one’s packed. Batteries are booming, booths are bli...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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1:05:18
S2E21 - George Auchterlonie | REST Energy
🎙️ S2E21 – George Auchterlonie: REST EnergyRecorded 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,...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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1:18:31
S2E20 - Middle Aisle Solar
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 t...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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1:31:34
S2E19 – Tom Gay | Origin Energy
Batteries, VPPs & the Future of Home ElectrificationThis 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, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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1:28:21
S2E18 - Pat Southwell | Southwell Solar Inspections
S2E18 – Flipping the Mic: The Untold Story of Pat SouthwellIn 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....
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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1:46:21
S2E17 - Ben Wright | Solar Victoria
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; u...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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1:43:09
S2E16 - Solar Integrity Luke Fraser, Brett Emo & Bobbi McKibbin
Season 2, Episode 16 — Solar Integrity with Luke Fraser, Brett Emo & Bobbi McKibbinWe’re back in Wodonga, recording inside Solar Integrity for a special triple-guest episode.First, Luke Fraser talks life a...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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1:39:11
S2E15 - Justin Lewis | Peak Energy Group
This week, Solar Sidekicks are in Albury-Wodonga with solar business owner Justin Lewis from Peak Energy Group—a sharp operator leading from the front in regional Victoria.We explore the battery rebate surge, the culture-first mindset behin...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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1:22:40
S2E13 - Roshan Ramnarain | Energy Matters
This week, the Solar Sidekicks hit the road and welcome a special guest who’s as passionate about clean energy as he is charismatic on camera. Roshan Ramnarain—entrepreneur, TV presenter, and CEO of Energy Matters—joins Pat and Lauren for a wid...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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1:21:12
S2E14 - The Calm Before the Storm
Pat and Lauren are back on the mics and bracing for the industry shake-ups ahead. In this high-energy episode, they chat with George from REST Energy — better known now as The Tassie Solar Man — to congratulate him on launching his bra...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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1:41:05
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S2E12 - NSW PDRS Pain
We’re crossing the border for this one. In Season 2, Episode 12 of Solar Sidekicks, Pat and Lauren set their sights on New South Wales — where the rollout of the new battery rebate (yep, we’re talking the PDRS: Peak Demand Reduction Scheme) has...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:37:05
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S2E11 - Kosta Bourandanis | Solar Cutters
In this jam-packed episode of Solar Sidekicks, Pat and Lauren hit record from Pat’s new place and welcome a long-awaited guest: the one and only Kosta from Solar Cutters! From cutting his teeth in wholesale to building one of the industry’s mos...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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1:33:46
S2E10 - Smart Energy Conference
🎙️ 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...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:01:53
S2E9 - Ausnet | Mary Masters
AusNet Faces the MusicIn this episode, Pat and Lauren head into the city to record from AusNet’s Southbank office, where they put Mary Masters in the hot seat.Mary’s a familiar face to many in the industry — often se...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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1:31:47
S2E8 - United Energy, Powercor and CitiPower
Backstop Breakdown: United Energy, Powercor, CitiPower RespondThis week on Solar Sidekicks, Pat and Lauren are joined by Charmaine Volpe and Andrew Bailey from United Energy, Powercor and CityPower for a deep-dive into Victoria’s Eme...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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1:16:53
S2E7 - Kirsty Newman | Sunshine State Solar
From Chaos to Queen – Kirsty Newman’s Wild Ride in SolarThis week, Pat checks in from the Solar & Storage Live conference in Brisbane while Lauren holds the fort in Melbourne— and we’re joined by Kirsty Newman from Sunshine S...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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1:08:54
S2E6 - Yorick Mark | MC Electrical
In this tech-packed episode of Solar Sidekicks, Pat checks in from a very soggy Brisbane, where he’s been attending the Solar & Storage Live Queensland Conference, while Lauren holds the fort in sunny Melbourne.They’re joined by Yor...
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56:22
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S2E5 - Karl Jensen | Istore
This week on Solar Sidekicks, we sit down with Karl Jensen from Istore for a in depth discussion into the future of solar, heat pumps, and home electrification. Karl shares his extensive industry experience, from the early days at Energy Matter...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:31:59
S2E4 – John Wright | GoodWe AU/NZ
Episode 4, Season 2: Behind the Scenes with GoodWe – Innovation, Industry Challenges & Inspiring the Next Generation with John Wright. This week, Lauren & Pat sit down with John Wright from GoodWe AU/NZ to talk all thing...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:28:10
S2E3 - Brad Teasdale | Teaslec Energy Solutions
Episode 3, Season 2 – Building a Solar Business with Brad Teasdale (Teaslec Energy Solutions)In this episode, Pat & Lauren sit down with Brad Teasdale, founder of Teaslec, to talk about his journey into the solar industry—from starting ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:00:46
S2E2 - Ria O'Hehir | Greenbank Environmental
Episode 2, Season 2 – Ria O’Hehir: Navigating Solar Compliance & STCsIn this episode, co-hosts Pat and Lauren speak with Ria O’Hehir from Greenbank, one of Australia’s leading STC aggregators. Ria shares her journey in the solar industr...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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1:06:31
