Join hosts Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford as they chat with Andy McCarthy, founder and former CEO of Gippsland Solar, for an inspiring conversation about building Australia's renewable energy future from the heart of coal country. Andy shares his remarkable journey from a troubled teen with ADHD to becoming a solar industry pioneer, establishing his company in the Latrobe Valley surrounded by coal-fired power stations and eventually selling to RACV Solar.
Join hosts Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford as they chat with Andy McCarthy, founder and former CEO of Gippsland Solar, for an inspiring conversation about building Australia's renewable energy future from the heart of coal country. Andy shares his remarkable journey from a troubled teen with ADHD to becoming a solar industry pioneer, establishing his company in the Latrobe Valley surrounded by coal-fired power stations and eventually selling to RACV Solar.
(02:00) Early life struggles and discovering solar through battery work
(05:00) Moving to Latrobe Valley and starting Gippsland Solar
(07:00) Typical customers and hiding solar panels from neighbours
(09:00) Hazelwood closure and community attitude changes
(11:00) Building bridges and changing approaches to coal communities
(14:00) Industry challenges: race to the bottom vs long-term value
(17:00) Battery rebates and sustainable industry development
(20:00) Community energy models and behind-the-meter solutions
(22:00) Commercial solar uptake and hospital case study
(25:00) Electric vehicle adoption and early charging infrastructure
(29:00) Australia's world-leading solar success factors
(32:00) Manufacturing opportunities lost and energy security
(35:00) RACV acquisition and Gen-tailer business models
(37:00) Advice for renewable energy entrepreneurs
(39:00) Customer engagement and listening to needs
(41:00) Next chapter: CEP Energy and embedded networks