Season 2 EP4 - 18 Years in Solar: Riding the Highs and Lows with Sam Waxman
Only Panels - Solar Installer ChatsShow Notes
🎙️ Welcome to Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, the podcast for solar PV professionals and enthusiasts. In this episode: 🔹 We sit down with Sam Waxman, Managing Director of Waxman Energy, to reflect on his 18.5 years riding the extreme highs and lows of the UK solar market.🔹 From pre-Feed-In Tariff craziness to massive price drops, discover how a major distributor navigates an industry that moves at lightning speed.🔹 A deep dive into the shifting market: Why Waxman’s commercial and C&I (Commercial & Industrial) sectors are scaling rapidly up to 5MW ground mounts.🔹 Sneak peeks at upcoming tech, including a teaser for Van Der Valk’s highly anticipated "Valk Ace Mark 2" mounting system launching at InterSolar.🔹 Inside the training center: Why Enphase dubbed Waxman’s facility "the best training rig in Europe," and why distributors must actively invest in upskilling installers.🔹 Future-gazing real talk: Why 2026 is officially the "Year of the Gateway," how manufacturers are battling product FOMO, and why AI/software integration is the next frontier. 🎓 SHOW SUPPORTER SHOUTOUTLooking to up-skill your team and stop making costly callbacks? This episode is proudly supported by A121 Training—the UK’s premier, 80% hands-on electrical and renewable training center.👉 Secure your spot and browse all masterclasses (Battery, Inverter, EV & 18th Edition) here: https://a121.co.uk/courses.php ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Sam's 18-year history in solar and surviving the pre-FiT era.0:36 - Distribution vs Design: Inside Waxman Energy's total product kit.1:43 - The evolving 50/50 split between residential and C&I commercial solar.2:34 - Brand breakdown: Managing major partnerships from Longi to Enphase.3:19 - Product preview: Van Der Valk's new "Valk Ace Mark 2" launching at InterSolar.4:12 - Inside Europe's "best training rig" and uplifting the trade with Apprentice 121.5:45 - Massive physical growth: Expanding to 140,000 sq ft of warehousing.6:53 - Future trends: The "Year of the Gateway" and the shift toward AI.8:08 - Closing remarks and podcast wrap-up. 📍 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/@only.panelsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6hK6YjzSti3iQrKDOuDXea?si=c00c11372fc64a2fLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/only-panelsTikTok & Instagram: @onlypanels #Solar #SolarInstallers #OnlyPanelsPodcast #Renewables #SolarPV #WaxmanEnergy #SolarDistribution #Enphase #AlphaESS #VanDerValk #CommercialSolar
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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