Solar Insiders - a Renew Economy Podcast

How storage and knowledge can make energy "pretty much free"

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew van der Linden from Flow Power shares his conviction that people have the power – and the tech – to take control of their energy costs. Pl...

How saving energy can save businesses a fortune

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Pooch from DETA Consulting on the untapped riches of energy productivity. Plus news of the week.

How bushfires sparked a battery blueprint

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ben McGowan, managing director of community-owned retailer Indigo Power, on the key role mid-scale batteries can play in regional energy resilience. P...

What's the right way to consult with communities?

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Camilla Hamilton from Cogency explains the importance of research, listening, and good coffee when consulting with communities on renewables. Plus new...

How fixing network tariffs could break home battery economics

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

IEEFA's Jay Gordon on how proposed changes to electricity pricing could strip away the benefits of Cheaper Home Batteries. Plus, news of the week.

Zen and the art of battery optimisation

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

OptiGrid founder and CEO Sahand Karimi on the ever evolving art of battery optimisation and the huge untapped value of the sub-5 MW "community" storag...

Praise be, it's a pilot!

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

SEC's Darren Johannesen discusses two major bits of progress on the decade-long road to address Australia's solar waste problem. Plus news of the week...

Energy smarts for home batteries and EVs

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kaluza CEO Melissa Gander on the change in technologies, and energy thinking, that will deliver more value to consumers. Plus: News of the week, inclu...

Big trouble in the small-scale battery rebate

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Smart Energy Council's David McElrea on why federal Labor must make some urgent changes to its super successful Cheaper Home Batteries scheme – and ...

Riding the home battery wave

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

GoodWe's Dean Williamson gives an insider's view of the home battery boom, talks new products, and sends brand growth through to the keeper. Plus news...

Silicon, silver and sliding doors

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Neeraj Das from ElecSome on the huge economic and resource opportunity solar recycling presents for Australia – and how close we are to stuffing it ...

Would you like electrification with that?

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel on how Australia must take a smorgasbord approach to home energy to make the most of Labor's free solar plan...

The community that built its own renewable grid

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kait Williamson from Flow Power on how one Victorian town built its own green power solution from the ground up.

What consumers really want from virtual power plants

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Plico Energy CTO George Martin says business is booming under the new home battery rebates, but the name of the VPP game remains the same. Plus news o...

The "zero-cost" VPP with big plans for empty rooftops

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

National Renewable Network CEO Alan Hunter on his company's mission to get home solar and storage to the masses. Plus news of the week.

Start me up

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

EnergyLab CEO Megan Fisher on the vital role start-up funding, mentoring and acceleration is playing in the evolution of consumer energy. Plus the new...

Poles, wires and fences

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nexa Advisory's Stephanie Bashir on consumer energy, competition and holding networks to account. Plus: News of the week from the ACES conference in S...

Looking beyond cheaper home batteries

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Con Hristodoulidis from the Clean Energy Council on how the federal home battery rebate is doing, two weeks in, and what comes next in the consumer en...

Can networks be nimble?

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ausgrid's Rob Amphlett Lewis on the challenges and opportunities facing Australia's largest distribution network. Plus the launch of Australia's home ...

The community that built its own renewable grid

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kait Williamson from Flow Power on how one Victorian town built its own green power solution from the ground up. Plus the news of the week.

Home battery storage with the lot

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

RedEarth CEO Marc Sheldon on the evolution of home batteries, the company's new "Microgrid in a Box" offering, and why he's not a fan of VPPs. Plus ne...

The energy pilot that pays customers to dial down their solar

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Engie's Ryan Wavish on how the retailer is flipping the sun tax to make solar curtailment work for everyone.

Australia's waste panel problem – and how to turn it into a goldmine

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Smart Energy Council's Darren Johannesen explains how Australia's solar "waste" stream is actually a massive reclaimed resources opportunity – but t...

How to make the most out of home batteries

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amber Electric's Myles Eftos on how home batteries can be money making machines. Plus, a post-election debrief and Australia's new favourite battery.

Shouting from the rooftops

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

OpenSolar's Sophie Wright on the mission to streamline solar businesses so that more money and time can be spent where it's most needed - putting pane...

A Teal take on what voters want – and how to give it to them

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

NSW Independent Allegra Spender on her plan for permanent energy bill relief and what's missing from federal Labor's battery rebate. Plus, dispatches ...

Get ready for battery rebates

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wayne Smith from the Smart Energy Council on what to expect from the federal home battery rebate (and when to expect it) and Australia's "sliding door...

A roller coaster year in review – and the keys to a smoother 2025

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our final episode for the year, SunWiz's Warwick Johnston on the highs and the lows of 2024 for rooftop PV, home batteries and all those who make t...

It's a consumer energy revolution! Can retailers go with the flow?

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew van der Linden on Flow Power's big move into residential retail. Plus the latest on the rooftop PV market, SunDrive's innovation progress, and...

Four million and counting – the race to make the PV puzzle pieces fit

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

UNSW's Baran Yildiz on how Australia's millions of rooftop solar systems and other consumer energy assets are being integrated into the grid. Plus, a ...

Made in the clean power-generating shade

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Will Beaumont on how his company's patented modular technology is making it cheaper, easier and much sexier to install solar car park canopies – and...

Look ma, no gas!

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Clint Hare on Australia's most sustainable housing development, which has been building all-electric, super energy efficient homes on Victoria's Bass ...

Can rooftop PV be a lifetime asset?

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Matweew from Enphase Energy on his journey from a coal town in Germany to a solar career in Queensland – and the big difference quality micr...

Rise of an Australian PV Maverick

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

5B's chief strategy officer Nicole Kuepper-Russell on the company's journey from concept scribbled on a napkin, to a factory in Adelaide that is walki...

Battery boom-time in the land of the diesel-free donga

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nic Stone talks to Solar Insiders about the myriad innovative off-grid projects that are using PowerPlus Energy's Australian made – and made for Aus...

Reuse, reclaim or recycle?

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Smart Energy Council's Darren Johannesen on some fascinating revelations about end-of-life solar panels and where their value lies.

Controlling household PV and batteries

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amid the big push to orchestrate consumer energy resources, we talk to Andrew Blaver about the successes and dud notes of Western Australia's Project ...

New dawn for household batteries

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Huon Hoogesteger from Smart Commercial Solar talks about almost everything but solar, as batteries and other bespoke energy solutions step into the li...

How millions of batteries can deliver billions in savings

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Clean Energy Council's Con Hristodoulidis on the huge, universal value of home battery storage – and why education will be crucial to unlocking it. ...

Redback revival, battery rebates and solar tax

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Redback CEO Adrian Knack on surviving and thriving in the home battery business. Plus: A boost for batteries and a tax on solar.

How to get off gas and electrify

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Steele from Goodbye Gas on how his company is helping households to go all-electric. Plus: Mixed messages from the top.

Australia loses it on solar

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Australia falls out of global top 10 solar countries. Plus: GridBeyond's Michael Phelan on the rise of VPPs; and battery rebates.

Can Australia make its own solar?

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Arena boss Darren Miller on the Solar Sunshot, and why Australia needs a stake in the supply chain. Plus: Households lead renewables charge, and the g...

Heat pump demand red hot, batteries just warming up

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Solar Victoria CEO Stan Krpan talks rebate milestones, red hot heat pump demand and home battery uptake. Plus rooftop solar crackdowns and a battery b...

Solar tariffs slashed again

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nexa’s Stephanie Bashir on how to reshape grid around consumer energy as solar tariffs cut and PV sets new records.

Can panels, farmers and sheep get along?

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As conservative media and politicians pit farmers against renewables, we talk to a sheep grazier who is building Tasmania's first large-scale solar pr...

The fight for fairer rooftop PV – and cheaper home batteries

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Heidi Douglas talks through Solar Citizens’ list of policy asks for the upcoming energy ministers’ meeting. Could we get discounted batteries for ...

SunDrive's hot pursuit of Australian-made PV

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wyatt Roy on SunDrive's progress towards make cheaper, more sustainable solar – right here in Australia. Plus: Will 2023 be a record year of rooftop...

The power of putting First Nations first

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How Beon Energy has left a lasting legacy and set a new benchmark for meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities. Plus, AEMO's solar switch-off...

Making money out of home batteries

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Amber’s Tim Barson on how home batteries are turning into a money spinner. Plus: Rooftop solar shattering records across the grid.

Australia’s CPV and low cost storage breakthrough

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with RayGen’s Richard Payne at the newly opened solar and storage plant in Carwarp. Plus: Consumer power to fill coal gap.

Confessions of a solar and battery nerd

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to early adopter and self confessed “energy nerd” Andrew Wilson about the key lessons he has learned from four years with home solar and s...

Volt from the blue

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to Peter Leeson about the rise and rise of his Australian made Volt solar tile, which is being installed on rooftops in every state in Austral...

Can Australia become a global solar manufacturer?

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Australia excels in solar R&D and uptake – but can it become a major supplier of panels? We ask APVI's Muriel Watt. Plus: solar strife in the regio...

Demystifying home electrification

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Going all-electric is not easy – or is it? University of Wollongong’s Ty Christopher shares his lived and worked experience of home electrificatio...

Small town, medium battery – big solar win

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We head to the Victorian goldfields town of Maldon to hear why it’s the perfect place for a community battery – and how grid-side energy storage i...

Solar recycling vs solar recovery

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Gell from Solar Recovery Corp on why recycling is not the best solution to Australia’s solar waste problem – and how his company hopes to set ...

Solar, batteries and landlords

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Solar Victoria’s Stan Krpan on the new incentives for rooftop solar and battery storage. Plus: Should landlords be required to install rooftop solar...

From coal valley outsider to solar trailblazer

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Andy McCarthy reflects on his journey from a garage-based start-up to the CEO of RACV solar. Plus Queensland does it again.

Getting to grips with solar duck curve

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gabrielle Kuiper on why rooftop solar should not be ignored by grid planners. Plus: Latest news including dire warning for PV installers on inverters.

Little solar’s very big year

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The rooftop solar market has rebounded, and taken a bigger bite out of the coal market. But does it need to be controlled by such a big hammer?

Turn it off, turn it on

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A look at South Australia’s week in isolation and the role of rooftop solar. Plus: Another failed venture

The dumb decisions holding back rooftop PV

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We look at developments in Queensland and South Australia and Nigel delivers All Energy wrap and picks apart Sky After Dark misinformation about cobal...

Is there such a thing as 'peak solar'?

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Interest in rooftop solar is surging, along with EVs and batteries. But how close are we to reaching the limits of where it can be installed?

Solar symphonies and eating coal’s lunch

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New records for distributed solar around Australia as the country’s rooftop PV output continues to eat into the fossil fuel industry’s lunch bag.

China drought to hit solar, battery supplies

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Extreme weather conditions in China starts to have impact on solar and battery supply chains, plus all the local news.

Spring Clean on the Grid

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Early spring brings solar surge and coal crackles as landmark changes made to policy.

Households now want batteries with their solar

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The jump in fossil fuel prices means more households want battery storage with their rooftop solar, and they don’t care if it’s not making money.

Will angry consumers leave the grid?

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Household solar and battery storage play a key role in AEMO’s future plans, but angry consumers might choose to go their own way.

Death of a retailer

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Enova Energy’s demise highlights failed structure of Australia’s energy market. Plus: Bizarre tariff stories, and a long drive in a Model Y.

The solar industry won’t waste this energy crisis

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The mood in the solar industry has lifted as energy price hikes boost interest in rooftop PV and battery storage.

What the election result means for solar industry

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrations as Coalition policy bollards swept away, but what does this really mean for the solar industry?

The day the Coalition discovered solar panels

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Angus Taylor visits a solar factory, the big news out of Smart Energy Expo, and the solar-coaster. Again.

Big deals in solar

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is a lot of deal making going on in the solar industry, and drug runners have found a new use for modules.

Why rooftop solar turned out to be a good idea

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Leading rooftop critic now accepts it's good at getting rid of coal and benefits consumers. Plus: Are the cowboys back?

What we can learn from solar pioneers

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Australia’s solar pioneers get together, SunDrive sets efficiency records, and ScoMo bin stickers go wild.

The global rooftop boom

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Global rooftop solar installations expected to reach nearly 100GW in 2025. As Australia’s solar pioneers get together.

New year solar gloom, and SMA’s big inverter plans

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nigel Morris has downgraded his rooftop solar forecasts for 2022, while SMA’s Boris Wolff shares his take on the Australian and global market, and t...

Solar switch off now in force in W.A.

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The solar switch off mechanism is now in force in W.A, and the coal lobby is fighting back at the idea that the end is nigh.

Will 2022 be as strong as 2021?

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The new year gets off to a slow start, as industry gears up for tighter standards.

The highs and lows of 2021

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Solar taxes, solar switch-offs, 100 per cent solar, amazing technology cost predictions and some stunning innovations. And it all happened in 2021.

5B expands on way to ultra low cost solar

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

5B’s Chris McGrath joins us to talk about 5B’s new acquisition and gigawatt scale deployment plans. Plus: Confusion over DC Isolators.

Australia’s sub zero solar state

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

South Australia becomes world’s first gigawatt scale grid to record negative demand, while new DC isolator rules cause relief and confusion.

Three million and counting

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Major new benchmark reached for rooftop solar, as “negative demand” reached in South Australia.

Australia aims for $15/MWh solar

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Out of the blue, Australia is targeting ultra low cost solar to underpin its green industrial transition.

Has Andrew Forrest made right call on thin film solar?

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Forrest’s surprising big bet on thin film solar, renewable records tumble, and a crackdown by the regulators.

Taylor’s solar review, and PV shutdowns

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rooftop solar nears 100% of South Australia demand, as AEMO prepares PV shutdowns and regulator acts on Taylor’s solar review.

Australia’s breakthrough solar technology

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Australia has a chance to set up its own solar manufacturing industry after new benchmark in solar cell efficiency.

Solar is king, but who gets to control it?

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Why rooftop solar will be dominant feature of grid within 5 years. And we speak to Autonomous Energy over recent buyout.

Flexible exports and PV pricing pressures

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Solar industry faces pressure from rising import prices, shipping costs and Covid. But flexible exports offer hope for a smarter future.

Why the solar boom is starting to cool down

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The solar market has reached a plateau, but new projections suggest that home batteries might finally have their day.

Covid rocks the boat, again

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Covid has virtually shut down solar installations in three states, as Autonomous fights for survival.

Why the solar coaster never stops

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rooftop solar systems are getting bigger, thanks to business interest, but the market still remains tough, and complicated.

Solar is cheap, but fossil fuels cashing in while they can

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Costs of producing solar are falling well below coal, which might be one reason why fossil fuel incumbents are trying to cash in while they can.

Solar overtakes wind, but what’s up with NSW?

10 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Solar confirmed as biggest source of renewables in Australia, but as the rooftop market continues to surge, the largest market has begun to shrink.

A hat tip to some great Australian solar pioneers

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Australia’s solar pioneers have been awesome, and it’s sad to say goodbye. Plus: Some really crap solar stories.

Behind the meter at Smart Energy

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A summary of what happened behind the meter at the Smart Energy Conference, with some special guests.

Rooftop solar is killing coal

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

New data highlights rooftop solar is pushing down prices, and pushing coal out of the market. Plus: Solar industry reunites in Opera House bar.

The new controls on solar, EVs and air-con

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As rooftop solar installations set new records, new protocols are governing what and when is being generated and consumed in the home.

The good and bad of the solar export tax

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bruce Mountain from the VEPC and Jonathon Dore from Solar Analytics join Solar Insiders to discuss the pros and cons of the proposed solar export tax.