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Solar Sidekicks Podcast

Pat Southwell
Australia
Battery Storage
Solar Victoria
Heat Pumps
Battery Rebate
Batteries
Solar Industry
Electric Vehicles
Cheaper Home Battery Rebate
Virtual Power Plant
Solar Homes Program
Solar PV
EV Council
Gas Industry
Opensolar
Battery Testing
Backstop (ausnet Victoria)
Inspections and Compliance
Goodwe
Sigenergy

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, tac... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes68Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Business

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Artwork for Solar Sidekicks Podcast

Latest Episodes

Pat and Lauren are back on the road, heading into Abbotsford to sit down with Nancy Sanjoto and Arlen East from EcoVantage — although Pat has a few early attempts at remembering exactly where they are and how to pronounce the company name, despite th... more

Pat and Lauren are back on schedule and back at Six Star Plus, this time joined by Meagan “Meggsy” Blackney — the Heat Pump Legend.

Meggsy’s path into the industry is a good one. She went from eight years at Baby Bunting, to starting in accounts at ... more

This week we’ve headed north to Castlemaine to sit down with Matt Wilson from Central Spark Victoria — and apparently Lauren thought activewear and shorts were appropriate for a chilly Central Victorian morning.

Matt’s been around solar since the da... more

Pat & Loz are on the road again — this week recording from the brand new Jet Solar HQ on Wellington Road, Rowville. And yes, the signwriting is real.

Jason Dickinson has been quietly running one of the best solar businesses in Melbourne for seven ye... more

After a month off, Pat and Lauren are back for a proper Solar Sidekicks industry catch-up — and there’s plenty to talk about.

First up, they wrap up the first year of the Southwell Solar Installer Nights, from the huge Melbourne opener through to a ... more

Pat & Loz are back in the studio — this time at the new Six Star Plus office in Dandenong South — and they're joined by Nicole Stegmann from Energy Matters.

Nicole's got one of the more colourful backstories we've had on the show — from working at F... more

Pat & Loz are back!!! After a bit of a break (Sydney, then life got busy), the mics are hot again — and we're kicking things off with a big one.

This week on Solar Sidekicks, Pat and Loz are joined by Brendan Laidlaw from CEP Energy for a ripper cha... more

Recorded at the Smart Energy Conference in Sydney, this episode features the brilliant Tiarna Hodge from iStore.

Self-described as the industry’s Wednesday Addams, Tiarna takes us through a 14-year solar career that started as a receptionist at 17 a... more

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Recent Guests

Arlen East
Certified energy manager with regulatory/policy background
EcoVantage
Episode: S3E21 – EcoVantage | Nancy Sanjoto & Arlen East
Meagan Blackney
Heat pump specialist at Six Star Plus
Six Star Plus
Episode: S3E20 - Meagan Blackney | Six Star Plus
Matt Wilson
Founder/CEO at Central Spark Victoria
Central Spark Victoria
Episode: S3E19 - Matt Wilson | Central Spark Victoria
Jason Dickinson
Owner of Jet Solar
Jet Solar
Episode: S3E18 - Jason Dickinson | Jet Solar
Tiarna Hodge
Tech lead at iStore, expert in warranty, site support, and app integrations
iStore
Episode: S3E14 - iStore - Tiarna Hodge
Kat Touchstone
Representative of GreenSketch
GreenSketch
Episode: S3E13 – GreenSketch at Smart Energy
Jack Long
Representing iStore / Longy
iStore
Episode: S3E12 - 2026 Sydney Solar Cutters Networking Drinks
Nigel Morris
Industry leader
Southwell Solar Training / industry council
Episode: S3E12 - 2026 Sydney Solar Cutters Networking Drinks
Ash Bryan
From Percy
Percy
Episode: S3E12 - 2026 Sydney Solar Cutters Networking Drinks

Hosts

Pat Southwell
Host of Solar Sidekicks Podcast; experienced solar industry professional.
Lauren O'Neill
Co-host with practical industry insights and engagement with guests; often adds context and industry knowledge.
Lauren Sacconti
Co-host and industry facilitator; engages with guests and shares context on workforce development and installer culture.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S3E20 - Meagan Blackney | Six Star Plus
Q: What's the biggest challenge when installing heat pumps in new builds?
Logistics and site access, especially driveways and mud pits, plus coordinating with builders and plumbers to ensure proper installation while meeting changing regulatory requirements.
S3E20 - Meagan Blackney | Six Star Plus
Q: How did Meggan's career path lead her into heat pumps and solar integration?
She started in accounting, moved to Six Star Plus through an accounts role, and gradually shifted into heat pumps as the product suite expanded, finding a natural fit in the cross-functional area where sales, field staff, and technical knowledge intersect.
S2E21 - George Auchterlonie | REST Energy
Q: What led you to move to a subcontractor model and how has it worked for REST Energy?
George explains moving from full-time crews to a subcontractor model to scale with demand, maintain flexibility, and keep skilled workers engaged, while stressing the importance of on-site leadership, strong relationships with subbies, and responsive client service.
S2E18 - Pat Southwell | Southwell Solar Inspections
Q: What sparked your move from retailer-focused roles to inspections and training?
Pat explains that the industry's flaws—poor training, aggressive sales, and the need for practical CPD—pushed him to create a path where installers could learn from real-world experience, leading to his work with Solar Vic, the CEC, and eventually his training business.
S3E13 – GreenSketch at Smart Energy
Q: How does GreenSketch handle product compatibility and brand variety for installers?
GreenSketch supports a wide ecosystem, with access to around 80 brands; installers can use any product or distributor, while the platform showcases the available brands within its ecosystem for customers and installers alike.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Sidekicks Podcast

What is Solar Sidekicks Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, industry-forward show focused on solar installation in Australia, with hosts who unpack technical topics, policy changes, and real-world installer challenges. Episodes frequently explore battery storage, rebates, regulatory shifts, and how to run a professional solar business—from design and quoting to training and workforce development. A standout across seasons is the blend of hands-on technical content (battery sizing, wiring, testing, VPPs) with candid industry culture commentary, conference coverage, and a clear emphasis on ethics, accountability, and high professional standards for installers. The format often features live-event moments, guest experts from supplier ecosystems, and updates on education and CPD, making it ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Solar Sidekicks Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Solar Sidekicks Podcast:

1. Just Another Solar Podcast
2. Solar Insiders - a Renew Economy Podcast
3. The Green Room - Energy Innovation & Renewables Industry Podcast
4. Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast
5. SwitchedOn Australia

How many episodes of Solar Sidekicks Podcast are there?

Solar Sidekicks Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 68 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Solar Sidekicks Podcast?

Recent guests on Solar Sidekicks Podcast include:

1. Arlen East
2. Meagan Blackney
3. Matt Wilson
4. Jason Dickinson
5. Tiarna Hodge
6. Kat Touchstone
7. Jack Long
8. Nigel Morris

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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