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.
Episodes
58 episodes
S3E11 - 2026 Excellence Awards Finalists
S3E11 – Smart Energy Awards FinalistsIn this episode of Solar Sidekicks, Pat and Lauren are back on the podcast stage at the Smart Energy Conference in Sydney for a busy day one wrap-up.We kick things off with a qu...
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S3E10 - Startups at Solar & Storage Live
Recorded live from the floor at Solar & Storage Live in Brisbane, this episode is all about the startups, new ideas, and people trying to push the solar industry forward.Pat and Lauren spend day two chatting with businesses working a...
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S3E9 - Shane Bridges | OpenSolar
S3E9 – Live at Solar & Storage Live with Shane Bridges from OpenSolarOur first ever live stage podcast, recorded at Solar & Storage Live in Brisbane.Pat Southwell and Lauren O’Neill sit down with Shane Bridges from ...
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S3E8 - MC Electrical | Mark and Yorick
At Solar & Storage Live in Brisbane, Pat and Lauren are joined by Mark and Yorick from MC Electrical for a smart, funny and seriously informative chat about batteries, testing, factory visits and what really matters when choosing products i...
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S3E7 - Tony Flint | FranklinWH
We’re on the road at Solar & Storage Live in Brisbane, recording live from the event and soaking up everything happening across the industry.In this episode, Pat and Loz sit down with Tony Flint from FranklinWH (you’ll hear it referred ...
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S3E6 - On the road at Solar & Storage Live
In this special live episode from Solar & Storage Live in Brisbane, Pat and Lauren O’Neil hit the podcast booth for a fun recap of the last few big weeks in solar.They look back on the first two Installer Nights i...
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S3E5 - Percy Solar
This week on Solar Sidekicks, Pat and Loz are joined by Ash and Teish from Percy Solar for a fun, honest chat about one of the biggest pain points in the industry — solar admin.They get into what Percy Solar actually does, why so man...
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S3E3 - Shane Jurgenstein | Goodwe
🎙️ 𝗦𝟯, 𝗘𝗽𝟯 — 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗪𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 & 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀We’re joined by Shane Jurgenstein, Sales Manager at GoodWe, for a big conversation on batteries, booming demand, tech support, installer shortages — and yes… a press conferenc...
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S3E2 - Ben Jones | Amber Electric
🎙️ S3, Ep2 — Battery Expectations & Industry Real TalkBen Jones from Amber Electric jumps on the mic for a brutally honest chat about batteries, customer chaos, and what actually works when it comes to VPPs and virtual ...
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S3E1 — Michael Shaughnessy
S3E1 — The EV Trade-OffSeason 3 is here — and we’re kicking off with a wide-ranging chat with Michael Shaughnessy, who’s worked across the industry: from the roof, to the Clean Energy Council, to the EV Council. He’s been e...
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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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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, ...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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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