by Catie Owen | Sep 18, 2025 | Europe, Everything Installer, Podcast
What if your home could outsmart the grid?
In this special UK Solar Week Solar&StorageXtra podcast episode, Guest Host Ken Davies is joined by Craig Bilboe, Country Manager, UK & IE, from EcoFlow.
Ken and Craig talk about the tech reshaping home energy: from EcoFlow’s meteoric rise in portable power to AI-driven energy management.
Craig reveals how consumers are demanding smarter, safer, and more resilient solutions, and dives into how modularity, safety, and installer-friendly design support both consumers and professionals.
“Environmental factors are happening and becoming more severe – couple that with a huge increase in demand on the grid, and the turning off of certain fossil fuel power stations – the grid really trying to catch up on that demand.”
– Craig Bilboe
Listen to hear more about EcoFlow’s soon-to-launch EcoFlow Gateway, designed for off-grid independence – and EcoFlow’s major new UK investment.
Check out the Solar&StorageXtra Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and start listening!
UK Solar Week marks the leadup to Solar & Storage Live UK, taking place 23 – 25 September. Haven’t registered yet? Don’t miss out on your free ticket by securing your place here.
by Catie Owen | Jul 29, 2025 | Europe, Innovation, Podcast
What if solar isn’t new, but the way we use it is?
In this episode of the Solar&StorageXtra podcast, guest host Ken Davies is joined by Dr KT Tan, Chief Technical Officer at Viridian Solar and a board member of Solar Energy UK.
KT shares the story of his unlikely leap from biotechnology into solar, and what led to the discovery of solar power in the first place.
KT and Ken also unpack the intricacies of integrated PV design and fire safety, and the role of product reliability in building industry trust, with KT providing his wisdom as a stalwart member of the solar sector.
“The last report has done by BRE back in 2017 indicated that most of the fires come from either the DC isolator, or DC connectors – but that report was a long time ago. Now, the consensus in the industry is that we have the problem of DC arcing.”
– Dr KT Tan
Listen now to hear a clear view of the challenges – and the immense potential – facing domestic solar in the UK and beyond.
Check out the Solar&StorageXtra Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and start listening!
Solar & Storage Live in Birmingham is on the horizon, so don’t miss out on your free ticket to the UK’s largest solar and storage show. Or, find a Solar & Storage Live event near you.
by Catie Owen | Jul 16, 2025 | Europe, Innovation, Podcast
How can your business thrive while protecting the planet?
In this episode of the Solar&StorageXtra podcast, guest host Ken Davies is joined by Assheton Carter, Executive Chair of consultancy TDi Sustainability.
Together, they unpack what it really means to embed sustainability into corporate strategy – moving beyond buzzwords and towards meaningful, systemic change.
Assheton breaks down the concept of sustainable development, critiques the politicisation of ESG, and highlights the essential factors for businesses navigating today’s complex supply chains.
“When we think about corporate sustainability, it’s got to sustain the business within the expectations of society. It’s got to consider both its corporate reputation, as well as the impact of its activities on others as well.”
– Assheton Carter
Listen now to hear how sustainability should be seen as an ongoing journey, not a box-ticking exercise.
Check out the Solar&StorageXtra Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and start listening!
by Catie Owen | Jun 10, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Podcast
How did one book inspire a solar movement?
In this episode of the Solar&StorageXtra podcast, guest host Ken Davies sits down with Giovanna Speciale, Founder and CEO of South East London Community Energy (SELCE).
Giovanna explains how reading a heartbreaking book on a train in 2009 became the community-powered movement of today that’s transforming Southeast London’s energy future.
As a community benefit society, SELCE now has half a megawatt of solar across 11 sites, including schools, community centres, leisure centres, and even a hotel – all benefiting the communities that use them.
“We came together as a group of people with the right skills who could work together.None of us knew each other beforehand, but we worked together to develop a vision. That vision is of a sustainable energy future for South East London that leaves no one behind in the transition.”
– Giovanna Speciale
Hear how SELCE is blending renewable energy, community investment, and social equity to reshape the local grid – one rooftop at a time.
Check out the Solar&StorageXtra Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and start listening!
by Catie Owen | May 6, 2025 | Everything Installer, Podcast, Storage
Where are developers going wrong in their solar contracts?
In this episode of Solar&StorageXtra’s podcast, guest host Ken Davies speaks with Rhiannon Morgan-Williams, Partner at Ashfords LLP and a leading legal expert in renewable energy development.
With over a decade of experience advising developers and funders in solar and battery projects, Rhiannon shares her insider perspective on the evolving legal landscape around landowner agreements, option contracts, and the complexities developers face – from initial negotiation to grid connection.
Rhiannon and Ken also dive into emerging legal implications of agrivoltaics and the challenges of integrating agriculture and energy generation on shared land.
“There are a lot of things that could have been picked up by just future-proofing some of the documents at earlier stages. One thing that is always missed off is the consideration given to the ultimate needs of the parties who are likely going to own these projects in the future.”
– Rhiannon Morgan-Williams
From contract tips to agrivoltaics insights, this episode is essential listening for developers, landowners, and legal professionals in clean energy.
Check out the first episode of the Solar&StorageXtra Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and start listening!
by Catie Owen | Apr 22, 2025 | Europe, Innovation, Podcast
Is Ireland’s rapid solar growth sustainable?
In the latest episode of Solar&StorageXtra’s podcast, guest host Ken Davies speaks with Conall Bolger, CEO of the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA), about Ireland’s booming solar sector.
With solar capacity increasing by 43% from 2023 to 2024 and a target of 8 GW by 2030, the country is making significant strides in clean energy.
Conall discusses ISEA’s role in policy change, the challenges of grid constraints, and the potential of innovative solutions like agri-PV and hybrid energy systems. He also explores how auctions are driving growth while balancing land use concerns.
“The solar revolution is not a threat to agriculture; in fact, given Ireland’s land heritage, we firmly believe that a sustainable energy future cannot be achieved without involving agriculture.”
– Conall Bolger
This episode explores the exciting opportunities and challenges shaping Ireland’s solar future.
Check out the new Solar&StorageXtra Podcast episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and start listening!
by Catie Owen | Apr 8, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar, Podcast
Can the UK hit 60GW of solar by 2030?
In our first-ever episode, guest host Ken Davies, a chemical engineer with extensive industrial experience, speaks with Gemma Grimes, Director of Policy and Delivery at Solar Energy UK.
Together, they explore the UK’s bold clean energy targets, policy shifts, and the real-world challenges of scaling solar to 60GW by 2030 – and potentially 90GW by 2035.
Gemma unpacks the economic value of solar, key infrastructure hurdles, and why skills development is critical to reaching net zero. She also tackles land-use misconceptions, rooftop solar potential, and how future standards could drive (or hinder) adoption.
“We’re constantly increasing what we believe we can do—all because of the speed and scale of growth in the industry. We need to remind policymakers: energy security, food security, and biodiversity are not mutually exclusive – they can coexist on the same land.”
– Gemma Grimes
If you’re looking for a clear-eyed, optimistic, and deeply informed take on the future of UK solar, this episode delivers.
Check out the first episode of the Solar&StorageXtra Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and start listening!
