The Warm Homes Plan & the Reality of UK Solar in 2026 | CEF Special with Mike Gadd

S02E4: The Solar Coaster: Inside UK Solar’s Rapid Rise

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 the “solar coaster”, the impact of the energy crisis, the rise of battery adoption, and what installers need to keep pace in a high-growth market. They also discuss how OpenSolar Shop is helping installers and distributors work together more seamlessly, and why resilience, agility and diverse perspectives matter in climate tech. Guest profile: Hollie Carek is General Manager UK & Global Head of Partner Marketing Strategy at OpenSolar. With a background in advertising and years of experience in solar, she brings a sharp perspective on the UK market, installer needs and the partnerships helping accelerate solar adoption.

S02E3: How Training, Trust & Collaboration Are Shaping UK Solar

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 by 62%. This episode covers: * Aaron’s journey from Dolce & Gabbana and Crocs to leading solar sales in the UK * Anker Solix's installer training model,  including attending your first on-site install * The Canton RFC community solar project and saving 62% on monthly electricity * What the Warm Homes Plan means for installers right now * Why Ireland is one of Europe's fastest-growing solar markets Follow us for more episodes of The OpenSolar Podcast.

S02E2: Why 2026 Will Change Solar Forever | Batteries, AI & Electrification

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 tackling the growing installer shortage, and why he believes 2026 is going to be a breakout year for batteries and whole-of-home electrification. They explore: The future of the connected home: air conditioning, EVs, intelligent energy ecosystems What a great tech stack really looks like as agentic AI starts reshaping how solar businesses operate.  Plus, Derek shares why he thinks the industry's greatest competitive advantage is collaboration and not competition. Guest profile:  Derek McKercher is the founder of PSW Energy, a solar and battery specialist company focused on delivering practical, high-performance energy solutions for homes and businesses. With a background in electrical work, Derek started his career on the tools, gaining hands-on experience that shaped his deep understanding of how energy systems function in the real world. Over time, he transitioned from tradesman to business owner, building PSW Energy with a strong emphasis on quality workmanship, honest advice, and long-term customer outcomes.  Today, Derek is recognised for his straightforward, solutions-first mindset and his commitment to helping accelerate the shift towards more sustainable, self-sufficient energy use.

S02E1: The Next Solar Superpower? India’s 10M Rooftop Plan Reshaping Global Energy

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 already embedded in everyday energy use * What it takes to build a resilient, long-term solar industry With millions of homes still to go solar, India is entering a defining phase and the pace is only increasing. Guest profile:  Preeti Bajaj is the CEO of Luminous Power Technologies, one of India’s leading energy solutions companies. With a background spanning global markets including Australia and India, she has built deep expertise across the solar ecosystem. Preeti is focused on scaling accessible, reliable and sustainable energy for millions of households, helping drive India’s transition towards a more decentralised and self-reliant energy future.

The Warm Homes Plan & the Reality of UK Solar in 2026 | CEF Special with Mike Gadd

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 deploying clean technology, including EVs, batteries and heat pumps - Grid connections, admin burden and standardisation challenges facing contractors Follow us for more episodes like this and look out for season 2 of The OpenSolar Podcast.