The OpenSolar Podcast

What does it actually take to build one of Australia's most trusted solar businesses from the ground up and keep it relevant for two decades?
In this episode, Jimi Gatland sits down with Derek McKercher, founder of Perth Solar Warehouse.
Derek opens up about his journey from sole trader electrician to solar industry veteran: the customer journey obsession that shaped his business, how he's tackling the growing installer shortage, and why he believes 2026 is going to be a breakout year for batteries and whole-of-home electrification.
They explore:
The future of the connected home: air conditioning, EVs, intelligent energy ecosystems What a great tech stack really looks like as agentic AI starts reshaping how solar businesses operate. 
Plus, Derek shares why he thinks the industry's greatest competitive advantage is collaboration and not competition.
Guest profile: 
Derek McKercher is the founder of PSW Energy, a solar and battery specialist company focused on delivering practical, high-performance energy solutions for homes and businesses. With a background in electrical work, Derek started his career on the tools, gaining hands-on experience that shaped his deep understanding of how energy systems function in the real world.
Over time, he transitioned from tradesman to business owner, building PSW Energy with a strong emphasis on quality workmanship, honest advice, and long-term customer outcomes. 
Today, Derek is recognised for his straightforward, solutions-first mindset and his commitment to helping accelerate the shift towards more sustainable, self-sufficient energy use.

India’s solar market is accelerating and it is set to reshape the global energy landscape.
In the first episode of Season 2 of The OpenSolar Podcast, Birchy sits down with Preeti Bajaj, CEO of Luminous, to unpack what’s driving the rapid rise of rooftop solar across India.
They explore:
The surge in residential solar adoption at scale

How policy and consumer demand are aligning

Why batteries are already embedded in everyday energy use

What it takes to build a resilient, long-term solar industry

With millions of homes still to go solar, India is entering a defining phase and the pace is only increasing.
Guest profile: 
Preeti Bajaj is the CEO of Luminous Power Technologies, one of India’s leading energy solutions companies. With a background spanning global markets including Australia and India, she has built deep expertise across the solar ecosystem.
Preeti is focused on scaling accessible, reliable and sustainable energy for millions of households, helping drive India’s transition towards a more decentralised and self-reliant energy future.

What will the ‘Warm Homes Plan’ mean for solar SMEs in the UK? 
In this special episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, our Co-founder and CEO Birchy and Mike Gadd, Head of Renewables at @CEF strip away the political jargon to reveal the reality of clean energy subsidies. 
🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:
- The Warm Homes Plan and what it could mean in practice for installers and SMEs
- The realities of deploying clean technology, including EVs, batteries and heat pumps
- Grid connections, admin burden and standardisation challenges facing contractors
Follow us for more episodes like this and look out for season 2 of The OpenSolar Podcast.

In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, we’re joined by Moira Hanes, co-founder of Empowered by Light, to explore how clean, distributed energy is transforming underserved communities around the world.
With over 100 solar and storage systems deployed across 10 countries, Empowered by Light is creating lasting impact, from rural schools in Zambia to Indigenous communities in the Amazon.
We discuss:
How distributed solar solutions are scaling faster than traditional infrastructure

Why locally led installations are key to long-term energy resilience

What energy access means for education, women’s empowerment, and community pride

The power of partnerships to unlock meaningful climate and social outcomes

Lessons from building microgrids in some of the world’s most remote and vulnerable regions

Whether you're a solar pro, clean energy funder, or someone passionate about climate equity, this episode sheds light on the real-world potential of solar to drive change where it's needed most.
Support Empowered by Light → https://empoweredbylight.org

In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, we're joined by Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, and Professor Andrew Crossland, energy systems expert, to break down the real impact of tariffs on solar energy, what’s changing in global energy policy, and why distributed solar and storage are still gaining ground, despite political noise.
Note: This episode was recorded in April 2025. All facts and figures shared were accurate at the time of recording.
We explore:
What new tariffs from the US and other markets really mean for solar growth

Why rooftop solar is still a vote-winner across the political spectrum

The “Electric Bill of Rights” and how it could unlock access to clean energy for all

Why grid integration and fair compensation are policy priorities

How local, behind-the-meter solutions are transforming national energy systems

Whether you’re a policymaker, solar pro, or just tariff-curious, this episode unpacks what’s shaping the clean energy future without the fluff.

Support the Global Solar Council → https://www.globalsolarcouncil.org
Connect with Prof Andrew Crossland CEng FEI  → https://www.mygridgb.co.uk/about-me/
 Learn more at opensolar.com

Guest Profiles

Sonia Dunlop is the CEO of the Global Solar Council, leading the charge to accelerate solar and storage deployment worldwide. With a background in EU and UK solar policy, she’s worked across trade associations, think tanks, and climate advocacy to shape energy systems that are cleaner, fairer, and fit for the future. Sonia is a powerful voice for global collaboration, skills development, and putting solar at the heart of the world’s energy transition.
Andrew Crossland is a global expert in distributed energy systems, dedicated to enabling decarbonisation and empowering people to take control of their energy. He’s led pioneering solar and battery projects across four continents, from the UK to East Africa and the Pacific Islands. A published author, award-winning innovator, and creator of MyGridGB, Andrew combines deep technical insight with a relentless drive for real-world impact.

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