🎙️EP11 – Van der Valk at Solar & Storage Live: Game-Changing Mounting Systems Explained
Only Panels - Solar Installer ChatsShow Notes
We’ve dropped this one a day early ahead of Solar & Storage Live! In Episode 11 of Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, Michael and Dan are joined by Phil Joly from Van der Valk Solar Systems to talk about all things mounting: 🔹 The shift from Strongline to the new Valk Ace – what’s changed and why installers are switching 🔹 One hook that does both vertical & horizontal – the game-changer for tricky roofs 🔹 Cable management, optimiser clamps, and the “third hand” feature that saves time on site 🔹 The new ValkPro+ Next Gen flat-roof system designed for today’s larger panels 🔹 How installer feedback is shaping product improvements 🔹 Where to find Van der Valk at Solar & Storage Live 2025 – Stand D110 + daily Installer Hub training sessions Van der Valk Installer Hub Training Times (NEC): • Tuesday – 14:00 & 14:20 • Wednesday – 12:00 & 12:20 • Thursday – 12:20 & 12:40 Plus, we get into impact drivers, hats, and why Dan reckons Phil owes him new tools… If you’re heading to the NEC this week, this is the perfect listen for the drive down. Then pop over to the Van der Valk stand (D110) and get hands-on with their kit. Chapters / Highlights: 00:01 – Intro & why we’re early for Solar & Storage Live 01:29 – Meet Phil Joly, Van der Valk Solar Systems 03:19 – Valk Ace launch and feedback from installers 08:22 – Strongline vs Ace: price, performance & installer response 12:00 – The “third hand” feature, hooks & hardware tweaks 20:22 – Two impact drivers and the hat moment 26:00 – Cable management & full mounting system solutions 28:04 – ValkPro+ Next Gen flat-roof mounting for big panels 36:34 – Awards, tools, and looking ahead 🎧 Listen now on Spotify & YouTube 📍 Meet Van der Valk at Solar & Storage Live 2025, Stand D110 #Solar #MountingSystems #VanDerValk #SolarAndStorageLive #SolarInstallers #OnlyPanelsPodcast
More from Only Panels - Solar Installer Chats
What does it actually take to run a solar install business in 2026? Live from the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, five people who do it every day talk customers, leads, kit, admin and standards.
The best bits from three days on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026
Cory Mac from Oy Electrical called the plug-in solar brands "sellouts" and planned a video on why he wouldn't touch it. Then installers across Europe got in touch, and he went to Germany to see real systems for himself.
Is plug-in solar a sellout or the entry point to renewables for millions of UK homes? Live from the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, Dan Holliday and Michael Stott sit down with Aaron from Anker SOLIX. YouTuber Cory Mac from Oy Electrical explains why he called the plug-in brands "sellouts", then went to Germany to see it for himself.
🎙️ 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