Only Panels - Solar Installer Chats

Season 2 - EP2 – LONGi Hi-MO X10: Why You’ll Be Fitting These Next

🎙️ Welcome to Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, the podcast for solar PV professionals and enthusiasts. In this episode, Michael and Dan sit down with Sarah Wallace from LONGi Solar to break down the latest panel tech, industry shakeups, and why back-contact panels are changing the game. In this episode: 🔹 The April 1st Price Hike: What the removal of the Chinese VAT subsidy means for module costs and your upcoming installs.🔹 Inside the Hi-MO X10: Exploring HPBC (back-contact) tech, the "TV screen" black aesthetic, and why losing the front busbars is a game-changer.🔹 The "North Roof" Strategy: Using north-facing arrays to maximize low-light performance and winter generation.🔹 Death by Panel: Surviving LONGi's extreme R&D testing (6,000 Pa pressure and ice ball strikes!) and unpacking their 30-30 warranty.🔹 Installer PSA: Why you should never drill into panel frames for bird protection. 📍 New episodes every week – subscribe so you don’t miss out. 🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms. 👉 Join the conversation: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@OnlyPanelsPodcast [https://youtube.com/@OnlyPanelsPodcast] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/onlypanels [https://open.spotify.com/show/onlypanels] LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/onlypanels [https://linkedin.com/company/onlypanels] TikTok & Instagram: @onlypanels #Solar #SolarInstallers #OnlyPanelsPodcast #Renewables #SolarPV #LONGi #HiMOX10 #HPBC

Season 2 EP1 – Save the Date 23rd April - Roof Ripping, G99s, and Giving Back to the Industry

Season 2 is officially LIVE! First off, a massive thank you to everyone who tuned into Season 1. Honestly, the number of views and listens we had was overwhelming. We started this to help the industry, and seeing how many of you got stuck in was the best motivation to get back behind the mics. In this kickoff episode, we aren't hanging about. We’re diving straight into the "why" behind the new Hands-On Installer Training Day happening on April 23rd. We know the accredited courses often leave you hanging when it comes to the actual graft. That’s why we’ve teamed up—myself, Mike, Ollie (Zinc Electrical), Sam (Oval Renewables), and the legend that is Mark Allison (Apprentice 1-to-1)—to get people on actual roofs. No fluff, just real-world mounting, clamping zones, and navigating the nightmare that can be the ENA portal. What we cover in this one: * Where we’ve been (including some jet-setting to China). * Why "sandwiches and solar" is the training combo you didn't know you needed. * Getting hands-on with tile, slate, and Rosemary roofs. * Mastering G98/G99 applications and SolarEdge design tools. * A sneak peek at what’s coming this season (Longi Solar and the new Sigenergy Neo). Whether you’re a sparky looking to get onto the roof for the first time or a seasoned installer wanting to sharpen your tech game, we’re here to help you succeed. Join us every Wednesday at 7 PM. Links & Resources: * Book Your Training Place (April 23rd): a121.co.uk * Follow us on Instagram: @OnlyPanels * Check out Mark Allison: @Apprentice121 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave us a review—it really does help the channel grow.Season 2 is officially LIVE! First off, a massive thank you to everyone who tuned into Season 1. Honestly, the number of views and listens we had was overwhelming. We started this to help the industry, and seeing how many of you got stuck in was the best motivation to get back behind the mics. In this kickoff episode, we aren't hanging about. We’re diving straight into the "why" behind the new Hands-On Installer Training Day happening on April 23rd. We know the accredited courses often leave you hanging when it comes to the actual graft. That’s why we’ve teamed up—myself, Mike, Ollie (Zinc Electrical), Sam (Oval Renewables), and the legend that is Mark Allison (Apprentice 1-to-1)—to get people on actual roofs. No fluff, just real-world mounting, clamping zones, and navigating the nightmare that can be the ENA portal. What we cover in this one: * Where we’ve been (including some jet-setting to China). * Why "sandwiches and solar" is the training combo you didn't know you needed. * Getting hands-on with tile, slate, and Rosemary roofs. * Mastering G98/G99 applications and SolarEdge design tools. * A sneak peek at what’s coming this season (Longi Solar and the new Sigenergy Neo). Whether you’re a sparky looking to get onto the roof for the first time or a seasoned installer wanting to sharpen your tech game, we’re here to help you succeed. Join us every Wednesday at 7 PM. Links & Resources: * Book Your Training Place (April 23rd): a121.co.uk * Follow us on Instagram: @OnlyPanels * Check out Mark Allison: @Apprentice121 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave us a review—it really does help the channel grow.

EP16 – Apprentice 121: Opening the Training Centre of the Future (with Mark Allison)

We’re back at it again — this time live from the brand-new Apprentice 121 Training Centre, officially signed off by EAL and ready to deliver accredited solar, EV, and electrical training. Join Mike, Dan, and the legend himself Mark Allison as we take a walk through the new setup — from the WECO battery wall and Solax rigs to the testing bays being built for 2391s. We also chat with Dan “Sparky In Training”, Libby from Azzuri Electrical, and Mattie Allison, who’s stepping up to take the reins at PowerSonic while Mark focuses on the training side. Plenty of laughs, cake, and real talk about the future of hands-on installer training in the UK. 👉 Listen in and find out what’s next for Apprentice 121.

EP15 - Built to Last: Alpha ESS G3, Safety Upgrades & C&I with Mark Hale (at Waxman Energy)

Alpha ESS UK MD Mark Hale joins us at Waxman Energy. We dive into the G3 range, new heated UL9540 batteries, installer support, and C&I solutions like H50 (parallel up to 10). We touch on Octopus Intelligent Flux integration, an app refresh landing end-of-year, and a backup gateway coming Q1. Practical chat on insurance docs, commissioning in ~5 mins, and simplifying SKUs with interchangeable 4.8/9.6 kWh batteries. 00:00 Intro at Waxman Energy 01:13 Alpha ESS UK roots & longevity 02:30 UK installer support (ex-installers, first-install on-site) 04:17 G3 range overview (3.68/5/8kW, parallel) 05:34 New batteries: heating for cold installs 07:20 Safety: suppression, venting, UL9540 & insurance docs 09:05 1C cells (4.8 kWh) vs 0.5C; 9.6 kWh; scaling 10:00 Interchangeable 4.8/9.6 across single & three-phase 13:03 Installer Hub (docs, videos), 5-minute commissioning 15:00 C&I: 30/50/100 kW cabinets; outdoor, safety features 16:08 H50 cabinets, factory commissioning & sign-off 18:28 Care homes & farming use cases 19:36 H50 parallel (up to 10); M50 teaser 20:49 24/500 kW, 1.4 MWh container (late-year) 23:41 New app end-of-year 24:04 Octopus Intelligent Flux integration 25:18 Backup gateway coming Q1 26:31 Market shift & smarter customers 27:51 Waxman events & wrap AlphaESS UK Website alpha-ess.co.uk Waxman Energy waxmanenergy.co.uk

EP14 – The Training Centre of the Future with Mark Allison (A121 Training)

We hijack The Renewables Podcast studio to sit down with Mark Allison — the force behind Apprentice 121, Powersonic, and one of the most connected voices in the UK electrical industry. We talk about the brand-new Apprentice 121 Training Centre in Driffield and what proper, hands-on renewables training should look like. In this episode: * How Apprentice 121 grew into a national training movement * Why classroom-only solar courses miss the mark * FIT retrofits with batteries, smart metering & commissioning quirks * PAS guidance, large domestic storage & practical safety tips * Gateways are coming – Tesla, SIG Energy, EcoFlow & more * Battery recycling, packaging waste & sustainability * SolarEdge vs SIG, Victron everywhere & manufacturer pitfalls * College drops: giving back to train the next generation Guest: Mark Allison – Apprentice 121 / Powersonic / The Renewables Podcast Hosts: Michael Stott & Dan Holliday – Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats 📅 Apprentice 121 Training Centre launch: 29 Oct 2025 🕖 New episodes every Wednesday 7 PM 🌐 onlypanels.com Follow, rate & share to support the installer community ⚡