S3E2: Plug-in Solar, Sellout or Entry Point?

Homeowners don't look in the Yellow Pages any more. They search TikTok and Instagram. So who do they trust when they're spending thousands on solar, a battery or an EV charger?Sarah Wallace (LONGi) turns the tables on Jamal & Emily from Eco Wizard, who interviewed her on their own Wizard Talks podcast. They talk about how Eco Wizard grew from smart home products to EV chargers, why the EV charger is so often the first step into renewables, and why that first sale makes someone a customer for life.They also get into consumers doing their own research, "choose wisely", why TikTok has become the new Yellow Pages, why LONGi decided to launch its own YouTube channel, plug-in solar for people who rent, waiting for plug-in batteries to be regulated, and busting EV range-anxiety myths.📺 Subscribe to the new LONGi UK channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LONGiUKIn this episode:• The Eco Wizard story: smart home to EV chargers• Why the EV charger comes first• A customer for life• Consumers lead the research: choose wisely• TikTok is the new Yellow Pages• Plug-in solar, plug-in batteries and range anxietyChapters0:00 Cold open0:30 Role reversal: Sarah meets Jamal & Emily (Eco Wizard)1:25 The show, plug-in solar and renters3:17 The Eco Wizard story: smart home to EV chargers4:24 Why the EV charger comes first5:21 A customer for life6:05 Consumers lead the research: choose wisely7:47 TikTok is the new Yellow Pages, and LONGi's own channel9:52 What's next: plug-in batteries and range anxiety12:27 Next on Wizard TalksGuests: Jamal & Emily (Eco Wizard, Wizard Talks)Host: Sarah Wallace (LONGi)Recorded on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.New Only Panels episodes every Wednesday at 6pm. Short Circuit every Sunday at 6pm.Show supporters: LONGi (https://www.youtube.com/@LONGiUK) · A121 Training · AlphaESS🎓 Want to install it properly? A121 Training runs hands-on courses: the Solar Roofing Masterclass, the Gateway, Battery & Inverter Masterclass, and Level 3 Solar PV (designed to meet MCS requirements). Book at https://a121.co.uk#solar #EVcharger #plugInSolar #solarinstaller #OnlyPanels #SolarAndStorageLive #LONGiUK #EcoWizard

For a lot of homeowners, the first step into renewables isn't solar. It's an EV charger. Sarah Wallace from LONGi sits down with Jamal and Emily of Eco Wizard on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.Emily explains how Eco Wizard, a direct-to-consumer retailer that has been going since 2022, moved from smart home products into EV charging and then into batteries, portable power and solar. Once people see how much they save on their car, they start looking at solar, batteries and heat pumps, so that first sale makes them "your customer for life". Emily and Jamal also talk about consumers now leading the research, and about their Wizard Talks podcast. Sarah's advice for the whole journey: choose wisely.⚡ Short Circuit: one topic, no resistance. A new short episode from the Only Panels Podcast every Sunday. The full Eco Wizard chat is coming soon.In this episode:• The Eco Wizard story: from smart home to EV chargers• Why the EV charger is the entry point to the renewable journey• Customer for life: coming back for the next technology• Consumers lead the research, so choose wiselyChapters0:00 Cold open0:24 The Eco Wizard story: smart home to EV chargers1:31 Why the EV charger is the entry point2:28 Customer for life: back for the next technology3:11 Consumers lead the research, so choose wiselyGuests: Jamal & Emily, Eco WizardHost: Sarah Wallace, LONGiRecorded on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.Subscribe for more from the Only Panels Podcast with Michael Stott & Dan Holliday.Show supporters: LONGi (https://www.youtube.com/@LONGiUK) · A121 Training · AlphaESS#solar #EVcharger #homebattery #ukSolar #renewables #LONGi #SolarAndStorageLive #OnlyPanels

With the price cap going up and winter coming, are families going to have to choose between heating and eating? And what would actually make solar affordable for them?📺 This episode launches the brand-new LONGi UK YouTube channel. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@LONGiUKFirst, Dan Holliday takes you round Solar & Storage Live 2026 at the NEC: the welcome on the LONGi stand with Sarah Wallace (new storage, a self-extinguishing fire mitigation module and the 500 W all-black panel coming in 2027), a run round the halls before the doors open on the last day, and the new Sigenergy EV charger.Then Andy Barrow from Solar Nerd sits down with Sarah. He explains why "the best product in the world" still fails without a plan for the market, what Bangladesh and Florida have in common, and why the industry needs to stop talking to itself. He talks about heat or eat, a grant refused because the customer lived on the wrong side of the road, low-cost loans that never arrived, why salary sacrifice for solar and batteries could be a game changer if it happens, and the off-the-record conversations about support that never picks up the phone.In this episode:• Dan on the show floor: LONGi, a run round the halls, and the new Sigenergy EV charger• Best product, no buyers: why brands need more than tech• Stop talking to each other, start talking to homeowners• Heat or eat: the budget, the price cap and this winter• Grants by postcode: the wrong side of the road• Solar for all? Plug-in solar, low-cost loans and salary sacrifice• Off the record: support that actually picks up the phoneChapters0:00 Cold open0:40 Dan on the show floor: welcome to Solar & Storage Live0:54 On the LONGi stand: storage, fire safety and the 2027 panel2:11 Day 3: a run round the show before the doors open2:39 On the Sigenergy stand: the new EV charger3:19 Meet Andy Barrow (Solar Nerd)4:34 The best product in the world, and no buyers6:09 Know your market: Bangladesh, Florida and the UK7:24 Stop talking to each other, start talking to homeowners8:31 The budget, the price cap and heat or eat10:10 Grants by postcode: the wrong side of the road12:11 Plug-in solar and solar for all12:52 What would help: low-cost loans and salary sacrifice14:37 Off the record: support that picks up the phoneGuest: Andy Barrow (Solar Nerd)Hosts: Dan Holliday (DMH · Only Panels) & Sarah Wallace (LONGi)Recorded at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham, and on the LONGi stand.New Only Panels episodes every Wednesday at 6pm. Short Circuit every Sunday at 6pm.Show supporters: LONGi (https://www.youtube.com/@LONGiUK) · A121 Training · AlphaESS🎓 Want to install it properly? A121 Training runs hands-on courses: the Solar Roofing Masterclass, the Gateway, Battery & Inverter Masterclass, and Level 3 Solar PV (designed to meet MCS requirements). Book at https://a121.co.uk#solar #energybills #heatoreat #solarinstaller #OnlyPanels #SolarAndStorageLive #LONGi #LONGiUK #Sigenergy

"I walk around Solar & Storage, I will guarantee 10% of these manufacturers won't be here this next year." Mark Hale, Managing Director of AlphaESS, joins Sarah Wallace and Phoebe Cho from LONGi on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.Sarah warns that there are a lot of products that go boom and bust, and that a big brand went under this year. Mark says they've seen two manufacturers go this year. He explains why some brands pull out of the market and what to check before you commit: on-site support, warranties, references and customer reviews. Don't get lured in by social media hype. The manufacturers will also put you in touch with a competent installer in your area. His verdict: if you see something cheaper from an unknown brand and an unknown installer, ask yourself why.⚡ Short Circuit #3: one topic, no resistance. A short episode from the Only Panels Podcast, out every Sunday at 6pm.In this episode:• Phoebe: renewables are getting easier to buy into• Products that boom and bust• "10% of these manufacturers won't be here"• How to do your due diligence• Ask the manufacturer to recommend an installer• Cheaper? Ask yourself whyChapters0:00 Cold open0:18 Meet Mark Hale (AlphaESS) and Phoebe Cho (LONGi)0:31 Phoebe: solar's getting easier to buy into0:52 Products that boom and bust1:55 "10% of these manufacturers won't be here"2:54 How to do your due diligence3:33 Ask the manufacturer for an installer4:28 The verdict: cheaper? Ask yourself whyGuest: Mark Hale, Managing Director, AlphaESSHosts: Sarah Wallace & Phoebe Cho, LONGiRecorded on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.Subscribe for more from the Only Panels Podcast with Michael Stott & Dan Holliday.Show supporters: LONGi · A121 Training · AlphaESS#solar #batterystorage #homebattery #solarinstaller #UKSolar #AlphaESS #LONGi #SolarAndStorageLive #OnlyPanelsWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8Be9ydCufVM

"It's lonely being a spark." Only Panels goes on the road. Dan Holliday and Michael Stott set up in the corner of the Elite Sparking Krew (ESK) annual Curry Night, the "Annual Sparky Get Together" held the same night as Elex at Stoneleigh Park, and grab whoever they can between the quiz, the raffle, the bingo and the curry.Jamie explains how a 30-person curry-house meet-up became a night for sparks who spend all day working on their own ("it's lonely being a spark"), and why it's "not PC, just a good crack". Craig Gifford tells us how he became the Secret Millionaire, and why you don't have to be rich to be a millionaire. Charles from TradeCert and Antonio from ALO Electrical & Security talk certs built with real sparks, and Antonio's van that needed building twice in 30 days. Kev from HDT closes the night with the test-equipment company behind the brands, and how feedback took a PV tester from 15 A to 20 A with a firmware update.In this episode:• How the ESK Curry Night grew: curry house → Stoneleigh Park• "It's lonely being a spark": why the ESK WhatsApp community exists• Quiz, raffle, bingo and a curry: a working men's club for sparks• Craig Gifford: how the Secret Millionaire name stuck• You don't have to be rich to be a millionaire• TradeCert: PV certs designed with installers• Antonio's van: two builds in 30 days• HDT: the OEM behind the testers you already use• 15 A to 20 A with a firmware updateChapters0:00 Cold open0:42 Only Panels on the road: the ESK Curry Night1:40 Jamie: how the curry night grew2:32 It's lonely being a spark4:18 Quiz, raffle, bingo and a curry5:03 Not PC, just a good crack6:05 Same time next year7:08 Craig Gifford, the Secret Millionaire7:57 Elex at Stoneleigh Park8:44 You don't have to be rich to be a millionaire12:32 What's your curry?13:03 Charles (TradeCert) & Antonio (ALO Electrical & Security)15:38 Antonio's van: two builds in 30 days17:53 The worst raffle in the world18:34 Kev from HDT: the testers behind the brands21:09 15 A to 20 A with a firmware update21:58 Kicking-out timeGuests: Jamie (Actual Electrical Content, ESK organiser), Craig Gifford, Charles (TradeCert), Antonio (ALO Electrical & Security), Kev (HDT)Hosts: Dan Holliday (DMH) & Michael Stott (East Renewables)Recorded at the ESK Curry Night, Elex week, Stoneleigh Park, 22 October 2026. Same time next year: tickets go on sale about three months before.🎬 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@OnlyPanelsPodcastLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/onlypanelsTikTok & Instagram: @onlypanels#electrician #sparky #OnlyPanels #Elex #ESK #solarinstaller #TradeCert #electricalcontractor

If your roof needs replacing anyway, why put slates where solar panels could go? Sarah Wallace from LONGi talks to installer Leon Rygol from Rygol Electrical Services and Shane from GSE Integration on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.Leon bought a house that needed a complete new roof, so he put his own money where his mouth is: 44 LONGi 480 W all-black panels on a GSE in-roof system, 21 kWp in total. He explains why, as an investor, it's one of the very few jobs on a property that pays for itself, what he expects it to generate against a new 7 kW heat pump, and why it finally gives him an answer when customers ask what's on his own roof.⚡ Short Circuit #2: one topic, no resistance. A short episode from the Only Panels Podcast, out every Sunday at 6pm.You'll also see Leon in next Wednesday's main episode, Only Panels S3E4 "Training Has Missed the Trade" (Wednesday 28 Oct, 6pm).Chapters0:00 Cold open0:14 Meet Leon (Rygol) and Shane (GSE Integration)0:33 A 21 kWp in-roof system on a brand-new roof1:36 Why a new roof should pay for itself2:09 Why LONGi panels and a GSE in-roof kit2:49 15,000 kWh vs a new heat pump3:38 Finally, solar on the installer's own houseGuests: Leon Rygol, Rygol Electrical Services · Shane, GSE IntegrationHost: Sarah Wallace, LONGiRecorded on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yYBoF-2Bra4Only Panels Podcast with Michael Stott & Dan Holliday. Show supporters: LONGi · A121 Training

What does it actually take to run a solar install business in 2026? Live from the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, five people who do it every day talk customers, leads, kit, admin and standards.Sam Waxman (Waxman Energy), nearly 20 years in, says the industry has gone from constant firefighting to finally planning ahead. Ben Price explains how Heatable works with local installers, pays them the full rate and takes the DNO, MCS and NAPIT red tape off their hands. Ben Fogg (Evo Renewables) says customers now buy on the tech spec, not the double-glazing pitch, and with the app and the data in their hands, "there's nowhere to hide". Dan Holliday (DMH) on why people buy from people, and holding his team to the highest standard. Plus Alicia Reid (Tomlinson Longstaff) and Michael Stott on support you can get hold of, and lifting a 120 kg battery.In this episode:• From firefighting to planning ahead• How Heatable works with local installers• Selling on the tech spec, not the sales pitch• Customers chase brands• YouTube vs buying leads• Nowhere to hide: honesty and no package deals• 5% VAT: a boom coming?• Taking the red tape off installers• Choosing your panels and kit• Support, and the 120 kg battery• Keep learning• Holding your team to the highest standardChapters0:00 Cold open1:05 Welcome to Only Panels1:13 Sam Waxman: from firefighting to planning ahead2:28 Ben Price: how Heatable works with local installers3:49 Selling on tech spec, not the double-glazing pitch5:20 Customers chase brands6:47 YouTube vs buying leads7:41 Nowhere to hide: the customer has the data9:28 5% VAT: boom or bust?10:40 Taking the red tape off installers12:36 Choosing your panels and kit15:09 Support, and the 120 kg battery17:10 Keep learning18:14 Holding your team to the highest standard19:11 Wrap-upGuests: Sam Waxman (Waxman Energy), Ben Price (Heatable), Ben Fogg (Evo Renewables), Alicia Reid (Tomlinson Longstaff), Dan Holliday (DMH)With Sarah Wallace and Phoebe Cho (LONGi)Hosts: Dan Holliday (DMH) & Michael Stott (East Renewables)Recorded on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.Train with A121 Training (book at a121.co.uk):• Solar Roofing Masterclass: 1-day hands-on course• Gateway, Battery & Inverter Masterclass: 1-day course• Level 3 Solar PV: 3-day course designed to meet MCS requirementsNew episodes Wednesdays 6pm · Short Circuit Sundays 6pmShow supporters: LONGi · A121 Training#solar #solarinstaller #solarbusiness #installerlife #OnlyPanels #SolarAndStorageLive #LONGi #A121Training

The best bits from three days on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 202617 guests, one sofa, and a host who was "slightly hungover". Hats, mortgages, meetings about meetings, a Jacuzzi… and one installer who really hoped his German host wasn't a murderer.Who made you laugh the most? 👇🎧 Season 3 of Only Panels is out now on YouTube and Spotify. New episodes Wednesdays 6pm, Short Circuit every Sunday 6pm.Only Panels, in association with LONGi. Supported by A121 Training (a121.co.uk)#OnlyPanels #SolarAndStorageLive #SolarInstaller #Electrician #Solar

Cory Mac from Oy Electrical called the plug-in solar brands "sellouts" and planned a video on why he wouldn't touch it. Then installers across Europe got in touch, and he went to Germany to see real systems for himself.Recorded on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham, with Sarah Wallace from LONGi.Cory found one host had three generations of plug-in systems, with paybacks of around 1.4 and 2 years. His verdict: "we're making a big hissy fit over nothing. Bodgers are gonna bodge." He'd rather someone hangs a couple of panels off a balcony than climbs onto a slate roof with a drill and silicon. Sarah pushes back: the real problem was announcing plug-in solar before the rules were in place.⚡ Short Circuit: one topic, no resistance. A new 5-minute episode from the Only Panels Podcast every Sunday at 6pm. Ready for Monday morning in the van.🎬 Clips from Cory's own video, "Why Every Electrician is Worried about THIS" (Oy Electrical on YouTube), used with his permission.In this episode:• Why Cory called the plug-in solar brands "sellouts"• The brand that agreed to an honest review, whatever the outcome• Meeting a stranger off Instagram in Germany: three systems, three generations• "Bodgers are gonna bodge": balcony vs roof• Announced before the rules: where it went wrongChapters0:00 Cold open0:17 Meet Cory Mac from Oy Electrical0:31 Why I called plug-in solar brands sellouts2:36 Investigating plug-in solar in Germany4:08 The verdict: bodgers are gonna bodge4:35 The real problem: no rules at launchGuest: Cory Mac, Oy ElectricalHost: Sarah Wallace, LONGiRecorded on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.Show supporters: LONGi · A121 Training#solar #pluginsolar #balconysolar #solarinstaller #ukSolar #OnlyPanels #SolarAndStorageLive #LONGi

Is plug-in solar a sellout or the entry point to renewables for millions of UK homes? Live from the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, Dan Holliday and Michael Stott sit down with Aaron from Anker SOLIX. YouTuber Cory Mac from Oy Electrical explains why he called the plug-in brands "sellouts", then went to Germany to see it for himself.Aaron shows the new Anker SOLIX XE and explains why he'd rather call it "entry-point solar". Michael pushes him on who's actually going to be plugging these in. Cory's verdict after meeting German owners with three generations of systems: "Bodgers are gonna bodge." Sarah Wallace from LONGi argues the real mistake was announcing it before the rules were ready.In this episode:• The new Anker SOLIX XE: 7 kWh, expandable to 42 kWh, 3 MPPTs, AI tariff control• Cory Mac: "You're all sellouts", and the U-turn• "Don't call it balcony solar": entry-point solar• Who's plugging it in? The installer's safety worry• 5.6 million homes on under £36k: who it's really for• Announced before the rules were ready• "The XE's little brother", plus support you can actually ring• The payback numbersChapters0:00 Cold open0:52 Welcome to Only Panels Season 31:05 What's new from Anker SOLIX4:44 Cory Mac: why I called plug-in solar brands sellouts7:26 Don't call it balcony solar: entry-point solar8:08 Who's plugging it in? The installer's worry10:35 Investigating plug-in solar in Germany12:08 Who it's really for: 5.6 million homes priced out13:25 Announced before the rules were ready14:26 The XE's little brother17:00 Support you can actually ring18:53 The payback numbers19:16 Wrap-upGuests: Aaron (Anker SOLIX), Cory Mac (Oy Electrical), Sarah Wallace (LONGi)Hosts: Dan Holliday (DMH) & Michael Stott (East Renewables)Recorded on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.Show supporters: LONGi · A121 Training🎓 Want to install it properly? A121 Training runs hands-on courses: the Solar Roofing Masterclass, the Gateway, Battery & Inverter Masterclass, and Level 3 Solar PV (designed to meet MCS requirements). Book at https://a121.co.uk#solar #pluginsolar #balconysolar #AnkerSOLIX #solarinstaller #OnlyPanels #SolarAndStorageLive #LONGi17-10-2026 Audio Fixed