The OpenSolar Podcast

One of the biggest changes to UK solar certification is here. In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, Birchy is joined by Daniel White, Market Development Director at MCS, to unpack MCS 2025 and what it means for installers across the UK. As the industry continues to mature, the conversation is shifting beyond compliance to focus on installation quality, consumer confidence and preparing for a f...

Australia's solar industry is entering a new phase. In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, Sophie Wright, GM Australia & New Zealand at OpenSolar, sits down with Blair Pester, Managing Director of WINAICO Australia and one of the industry's longest-serving voices. Together they unpack the battery boom reshaping the Australian market, why panel prices are rising, what installers shou...

The UK solar market is moving fast  and batteries, smart tariffs and solar-plus-storage are changing what homeowners expect from their energy systems. In this episode Melissa speaks with Hollie Carek, General Manager UK & Global Head of Partner Marketing Strategy at OpenSolar, about how the UK solar industry has evolved since 2019 and where it’s heading next. Hollie shares her perspective on t...

What do Dolce & Gabbana, Crocs, and solar panels have in common? Ask Aaron Darvill. Anker Solix UK's Strategic Sales Director joins Melissa on The OpenSolar Podcast to talk about what it really takes to build a quality solar brand. From installer training programmes that send a rep to your very first on-site job, to a community solar project that cut a Cardiff club's electricity bills...

What does it actually take to build one of Australia's most trusted solar businesses from the ground up and keep it relevant for two decades? In this episode, Jimi Gatland sits down with Derek McKercher, founder of Perth Solar Warehouse. Derek opens up about his journey from sole trader electrician to solar industry veteran: the customer journey obsession that shaped his business, how he's tacklin...

India’s solar market is accelerating and it is set to reshape the global energy landscape. In the first episode of Season 2 of The OpenSolar Podcast, Birchy sits down with Preeti Bajaj, CEO of Luminous, to unpack what’s driving the rapid rise of rooftop solar across India. They explore: The surge in residential solar adoption at scale How policy and consumer demand are aligning Why batteries are a...

What will the ‘Warm Homes Plan’ mean for solar SMEs in the UK?  In this special episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, our Co-founder and CEO Birchy and Mike Gadd, Head of Renewables at @CEF strip away the political jargon to reveal the reality of clean energy subsidies.  🎙️ In this episode, we discuss: - The Warm Homes Plan and what it could mean in practice for installers and SMEs - The realities of...

In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, we’re joined by Moira Hanes, co-founder of Empowered by Light, to explore how clean, distributed energy is transforming underserved communities around the world. With over 100 solar and storage systems deployed across 10 countries, Empowered by Light is creating lasting impact, from rural schools in Zambia to Indigenous communities in the Amazon. We discus...

In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, we're joined by Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, and Professor Andrew Crossland, energy systems expert, to break down the real impact of tariffs on solar energy, what’s changing in global energy policy, and why distributed solar and storage are still gaining ground, despite political noise. Note: This episode was recorded in April 2025. All f...

What does it actually take to electrify your life and why would someone leave a traditional economics career to do it? In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, host Melissa sits down with OpenSolar CEO Andrew “Birchy” Birch to explore his personal journey from economics and corporate energy to building a global solar platform and fully solar-powered lifestyle. Birchy doesn’t just talk about solar...

What does it really take to scale solar in the UK? In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, Birchy sits down with Liz Cammack — industry veteran and Global Board Advisor at Segen, the UK’s largest solar distributor for a behind-the-scenes conversation. 🎯 From walking the halls of government to powering her own electrified home 🔍 From navigating market chaos to contractor consolidation 📦 From s...

What happens when two experienced solar professionals move from working on the ground to shaping the future of the clean energy transition? In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, host Melissa talks with Sophie Wright and Jimmy Gatland about their journey from hands-on solar work to driving innovation at OpenSolar. They share honest insights on navigating the ups and downs of the solar industry,...

In this premiere episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, hosts Nigel Morris (solar industry veteran) and Andrew Birch (OpenSolar Co-Founder) kick things off with a powerful deep-dive into Australia’s world-leading rooftop solar story and what the rest of the world can learn from it. They explore how solar energy policy in Australia has dramatically accelerated adoption, spotlighting 2025’s battery rebat...