EP16 – Apprentice 121: Opening the Training Centre of the Future (with Mark Allison)
Only Panels - Solar Installer ChatsShow Notes
We’re back at it again — this time live from the brand-new Apprentice 121 Training Centre, officially signed off by EAL and ready to deliver accredited solar, EV, and electrical training. Join Mike, Dan, and the legend himself Mark Allison as we take a walk through the new setup — from the WECO battery wall and Solax rigs to the testing bays being built for 2391s. We also chat with Dan “Sparky In Training”, Libby from Azzuri Electrical, and Mattie Allison, who’s stepping up to take the reins at PowerSonic while Mark focuses on the training side. Plenty of laughs, cake, and real talk about the future of hands-on installer training in the UK. 👉 Listen in and find out what’s next for Apprentice 121.
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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