Show Notes
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.
Aaron shows the new Anker SOLIX XE and explains why he'd rather call it "entry-point solar". Michael pushes him on who's actually going to be plugging these in. Cory's verdict after meeting German owners with three generations of systems: "Bodgers are gonna bodge." Sarah Wallace from LONGi argues the real mistake was announcing it before the rules were ready.
In this episode: • The new Anker SOLIX XE: 7 kWh, expandable to 42 kWh, 3 MPPTs, AI tariff control • Cory Mac: "You're all sellouts", and the U-turn • "Don't call it balcony solar": entry-point solar • Who's plugging it in? The installer's safety worry • 5.6 million homes on under £36k: who it's really for • Announced before the rules were ready • "The XE's little brother", plus support you can actually ring • The payback numbers
Chapters 0:00 Cold open 0:52 Welcome to Only Panels Season 3 1:05 What's new from Anker SOLIX 4:44 Cory Mac: why I called plug-in solar brands sellouts 7:26 Don't call it balcony solar: entry-point solar 8:08 Who's plugging it in? The installer's worry 10:35 Investigating plug-in solar in Germany 12:08 Who it's really for: 5.6 million homes priced out 13:25 Announced before the rules were ready 14:26 The XE's little brother 17:00 Support you can actually ring 18:53 The payback numbers 19:16 Wrap-up
Guests: Aaron (Anker SOLIX), Cory Mac (Oy Electrical), Sarah Wallace (LONGi) Hosts: Dan Holliday (DMH) & Michael Stott (East Renewables) Recorded on the LONGi stand at Solar & Storage Live 2026, NEC Birmingham.
Show supporters: LONGi · A121 Training 🎓 Want to install it properly? A121 Training runs hands-on courses: the Solar Roofing Masterclass, the Gateway, Battery & Inverter Masterclass, and Level 3 Solar PV (designed to meet MCS requirements). Book at https://a121.co.uk
#solar #pluginsolar #balconysolar #AnkerSOLIX #solarinstaller #OnlyPanels #SolarAndStorageLive #LONGi
17-10-2026 Audio Fixed
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.
🎙️ 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
🎙️ Welcome to Only Panels – Solar Installer Chats, the podcast for solar PV professionals and enthusiasts. In this episode:🔹 The ongoing nightmare of G99 DNO applications, specific struggles with Northern Power Grid, and the crippling 45-working-day wait times holding the industry back. 🔹 Are some installers breaking the law? The massive liability and potential criminal offense of installing grid-tied 12kW systems with export limiters without prior DNO permission. 🔹 How administrative delays at the DNO level are actively risking customer deposits and causing Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) to expire before tools even hit the roof. 🔹 The shocking rise of DIY "plug-in" balcony solar and the terrifying reality of what happens when homeowners stack multiple 800W systems on a standard ring main. 🔹 The DNO double standard: Why heat pump approvals are highly automated and practically instant, while solar PV applications are stuck in the dark ages. 🔹 Giving back: A look at Dan's recent community solar rescue project in Richmond and why it's important to support the community. 🎓 SHOW SUPPORTER SHOUTOUT Looking 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 - The 12kW office ring loophole and plug-in solar risks.0:15 - Catching up: Sam Waxman, MCS accreditation, and Jeeves.1:51 - The G99 nightmare continues: Northern Power Grid delays.5:42 - Are installers breaking the law by skipping G99 approval?9:22 - Why Connect Direct is failing installers.11:23 - The real threat to customer deposits and IBGs.15:34 - Heat pumps vs. Solar PV: Why is one so much faster?20:36 - The balcony solar loophole: 800W plug-in systems.28:06 - Testing a new DNO application strategy.28:53 - Giving back: A community solar rescue in Richmond.📍 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 #G99 #NorthernPowerGrid #BalconySolar #DIYSolar #DNO