In this episode of Only Panels, Michael and Dan are joined by Oli from Zinc Electrical to unpack one of the biggest questions in solar: how do you size a solar PV system properly?

We kick things off with highlights from Elex Coventry — including the Safe Isolate stand and plenty of installer chatter — before diving into real-world solar design.

Topics we cover:

• Should you design a solar system based on household consumption, maximise roof space, or stick to a set budget?

• The “120% rule” explained – why oversizing panels or inverters can actually improve performance.

• Inverter sizing myths: why a smaller inverter can sometimes generate more power over the year.

• Battery storage challenges – charge/discharge rates, hybrid inverters, and when to add batteries later.

• Real-life analogies to make sense of kWp, kWh, and inverter ratings (think: car top speed vs speed limit 🚗⚡).

• How to future-proof PV systems for EV charging, heat pumps, and growing family usage.

Oli also shares his personal journey: leaving corporate IT sales, training with Oval Renewables, and eventually launching Zinc Electrical. We talk about the realities of being a one-man-band installer, the importance of community in the UK renewables sector, and balancing business with family life.

Whether you’re a solar installer, an electrician moving into PV, or a homeowner thinking about solar panels and battery storage, this episode gives you practical insights into how systems are really designed — and why no two installs are ever the same.

📺 Watch on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts

#Solar #SolarPanels #Inverters #BatteryStorage #Renewables #OnlyPanels #Podcast #InstallerLife #SolarDesign #SolarPV #HeatPumps #EVCharging