🎙️EP 8 – EV Charging & Batteries with Adam Stears (SOTA Electrical)
Only Panels - Solar Installer ChatsShow Notes
Dan is back in the studio this week and we’re joined by a special guest: Adam Stears (SOTA Electrical) — EV charger specialist, YouTuber, and all-round industry voice. We dive into: ⚡ Adam’s 20+ year journey in the electrical industry 🔌 The rise of EV charging & what makes a good install 🔋 How to integrate EV chargers with solar & battery systems (without draining the home battery) ☀️ Payback times & the “is solar worth it?” question for different age groups 📱 How social media has transformed the way electricians win work and build trust with clients 🔧 Practical tips, pitfalls with DNOs, export limits, and charger brand talk (Zappi, Hypervolt, Tesla, SIG, GivEnergy, and more) 🚗 Future of EV charging — vehicle-to-grid, balcony solar, and where Adam sees things heading There’s plenty of laughs too — from giant Snap-on cutters to barista chat, holiday solar spotting, and the reality of “customers who already know everything from YouTube.” 👉 Whether you’re an installer, EV owner, or just curious about the future of charging and batteries, this one’s packed with insight.
📅 Also in this episode: Dan on his upcoming EV and charger choice for the DMH office
Michael on the challenges (and humour) of spotting solar in New York
Upcoming events: • Elex Coventry – Super Rod Happy Electrician Bootcamp + Safe Isolation 11th Sept
• Solar & Storage Live (NEC, 23–25 Sept) – meet us there!
✅ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. 💬 Drop your EV charging or battery questions below – we’ll tackle them in future episodes.
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🎙️ Welcome to Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, the podcast for solar PV professionals and enthusiasts.In this episode:🔹 Season 3 starts here! Back in the DMH office, Michael and Dan decompress after hosting the Only Panels podcast on the LONGi stand for all three days of Solar & Storage Live 2026 at the NEC, with 60+ guests across installers, manufacturers and industry bodies.🔹 Is plug-in solar really the story of the year? Michael and Dan's take, and why they're calling it "entry-level solar".🔹 Solar Skirt Eco and the new mechanical fixings: what's new, who it's for and where to get it.🔹 Anti-glare panels: Michael's call for the product of 2027, plus LONGi's Hi-MO X10 and X12, and self-extinguishing, non-combustible panels.🔹 Favourite guests, A121 Training's roof training, and what's next at Elex in Coventry.Shout out to LONGi for hosting us on their stand at Solar & Storage Live.Hosts: Michael Stott (East Renewables) & Dan Holliday (DMH Electrical and Renewables)👍 Like, subscribe & drop a comment: what's your product of 2027?📍 New episodes every week – subscribe so you don't miss out.🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.👉 Join the conversation:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@OnlyPanelsPodcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6hK6YjzSti3iQrKDOuDXeaLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/onlypanelsTikTok & Instagram: @onlypanels00:00 Is this the product of 2027?00:17 Hosting from the LONGi stand03:02 Plug-in solar and "entry-level solar"06:30 Solar Skirt clips and the new Solar Skirt Eco11:01 Anti-glare panels: Michael's product of 202714:18 Self-extinguishing, non-combustible panels15:46 Favourite guests and A121 Training roof training19:44 Elex Coventry and the pub quiz21:07 Welcome to season three#OnlyPanels #SolarAndStorageLive #LONGi #PlugInSolar #AntiGlarePanels #SolarSkirt #SolarInstallers #UKSolar