In this powerful follow-up to Episode 72, solar expert Gary Phillips from Beyond Solar returns to the Cherrywood Podcast to pull back the curtain on everything you really need to know about solar panels in 2025.

Whether you're a homeowner considering a new installation or a business owner thinking of EV chargers, this episode dives deep into:

How many panels you actually need

Solar panel myths and misconceptions

Battery storage: Is it worth it?

Smart meters, grid payback, and off-peak charging

How to futureproof your property

Costs, MCS certification, and cowboy installers

New tech: micro-inverters, iBoosts, EV charger integration

Pay-as-you-go commercial charger systems

And more!

Contact Gary Phillips at:

📧 gary@beyondsolar.com

🌐 beyondsolar.com

📞 0800 048 7901

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:19 – Welcome back Gary Phillips

00:44 – Solar panel updates and key misconceptions

01:59 – Sponsors

03:03 – Understanding solar usage and household energy

05:06 – Batteries and solar panel efficiency over time

07:07 – Cleaning panels and spotting a solar scam

10:03 – Battery types, warranties, and costs

12:23 – Innovative solar financing: mortgage integration

13:51 – Real-life savings: a 73% bill drop!

15:00 – Business solutions and PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)

16:03 – Exporting back to the grid & Smart Export Guarantee

17:14 – What is DNO approval and why it matters

18:34 – Panel quantity, house orientation, and shade impact

19:58 – Off-peak grid charging explained

22:03 – Pitfalls of government grants and cheap installations

24:06 – Gary’s trusted solar brands and pricing

26:06 – Battery and inverter recommendations

27:57 – Where to install batteries at home

29:00 – Going off-grid and planning a complete system

31:06 – How long batteries last – real talk

34:08 – Energy usage strategies for families

36:16 – Recycling panels and batteries

38:02 – Panel costs vs myths

39:31 – Boiler room sales tactics to avoid

41:00 – Are solar panels ugly? Aesthetics and design improvements

42:58 – Tesla solar tiles – worth it?

44:38 – Damage, shade, and micro-inverters

46:02 – Proper system design using Google Earth and sun path

48:10 – Real stories: retrofits and savings

50:04 – Support and customer service insight

51:22 – What happens in a power cut? Auto switch integration

53:03 – Simon’s usage: What would a full system cost?

55:08 – Selling a house with solar: does it increase value?

1:04:00 – Real customer case study: from cold to warm

1:06:11 – Gary's biggest industry frustration

1:07:47 – Price list transparency and value for money

1:08:52 – Feed-in tariffs, grid export, and payback

1:09:43 – Dealing with system teething problems

1:11:13 – Optional extras: EV charger, iBoost, etc.

1:12:54 – Water heating with solar

1:15:04 – Common user errors and education

1:18:02 – Using your EV as battery storage

1:19:42 – Wrapping up and final thoughts

1:20:26 – Gary's contact info

1:21:46 – Bonus sponsor shout-outs

#SolarPanels #CherrywoodPodcast #BeyondSolar

Welcome to Cherrywood Podcast, your source for inspiring conversations and compelling stories. Join us as we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals from various fields, offering insights into personal growth, entrepreneurship, creativity, and more. Subscribe for positivity, authenticity, and engaging discussions.

Contact:

📧 Email: info@cherrypro.co.uk

📞 Phone: 07857 283 005

🌐 Website: www.cherrypro.co.uk

📱 Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherrywoodproductions

📸 Instagram: @cherrywoodpro

Guests Song Choices playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3YxsMkrJLbFQSjeRKfzcCQ?si=21a21d1ef9534479

Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests on Cherrywood Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or producers.

🎙️ Welcome to another Cherrywood Podcast!Simon hosts a special lads-only episode with James, Max, and Nav from Learn Chess Academy, a chess company changing lives across the UK — from kids’ confidence to adults’ wellbeing.#LearnChessAcademy #CherrywoodPodcast #ChessLife🧠 Inside this episode:How chess builds resilience and emotional intelligenceNav’s cancer survival story and rediscovery of chessHilarious stories from competitive games (including a board flip!)What “Queen’s Gambit” really meansWhy kids LOVE their chess clubs — even if they don’t know they’re learning!From online tournaments to in-person coaching, Learn Chess Academy proves chess is anything but boring.⏰ Timestamps (condensed):0:00 – Welcome to the lads-only podcast with Learn Chess Academy0:39 – Simon’s son at Medway Junior Chess Club1:14 – Origins of Learn Chess Academy & Julian the founder1:49 – Nav: Ranked top 2.5% globally3:42 – Sponsor shoutouts4:14 – Nav’s official chess title & classical tournaments6:06 – Thinking ahead: chess vs speed chess7:06 – Chess and life skills: patience, analysis, resilience8:30 – Day-to-day in a full-time chess company10:20 – Nav’s journey: from losing every game to finding purpose13:06 – How the company adapted after COVID15:00 – Virtual school classrooms & online club tournaments21:20 – How cheating is detected in online chess23:00 – BBC2 Chess Masters: Nav's experience27:00 – Chess helps mental health & wellbeing30:00 – Why kids think it’s fun – even while learning32:17 – It’s not about creating Grandmasters — it’s about confidence34:42 – Chess is age-proof: 7-year-olds beating teens36:58 – Simon’s hilarious Queen-King switch prank40:00 – What is the Queen’s Gambit?44:40 – Chess as strategy, tactics & life training47:04 – True stories of transformation through chess49:00 – That moment you become “one with the board”52:26 – Chess rage: from misplays to board flips54:29 – What your child will experience at a Learn Chess session56:22 – Fun first, trophies second – and sweets always1:01:10 – Simon's observation about the banner… and the wine1:03:32 – Random question game: aliens, kangaroos, death brushes1:12:00 – Podcast playlist song picks1:14:00 – How to contact Learn Chess Academy1:15:15 – Final thanks and goodbyes🔗 Sponsors:🏗️ De Medici Associates – Chartered Civil & Structural Engineers🌐 www.demediciassociates.com🏠 Right at Home Medway – Trusted care for adults in their own home🌐 www.rightathome.co.uk/medway📞 01634 979 950📖 Hindsight Directory – Advertise to 30,000 homes via Royal Mail🌐 www.hindsightdirectory.co.uk🎬 Cherrywood Productions – Award-winning video & photo services🌐 www.cherrywoodpro.com🪚 Bond Carpentry – Licensed to Drill📞 07738 732 931🚐 Snug Dubs Campervans – Room to roam, park anywhere🌐 www.snug.co.ukWelcome to Cherrywood Podcast, your source for inspiring conversations and compelling stories. Join us as we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals from various fields, offering insights into personal growth, entrepreneurship, creativity, and more. Subscribe for positivity, authenticity, and engaging discussions. #podcast#WeddingVendor#entrepreneurContact:📧 Email: info@cherrypro.co.uk📞 Phone: 07857 283 005🌐 Website: www.cherrypro.co.uk📱 Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherrywoodproductions📸 Instagram: @cherrywoodproGuests Song Choices playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3YxsMkrJLbFQSjeRKfzcCQ?si=21a21d1ef9534479Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests on Cherrywood Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or producers.

In this episode of the Cherrywood Podcast, we welcome Louise from Simply Be Skincare, who not only talks us through her inspiring journey into skincare and beauty treatments but also gives Rachel a live facial treatment on the podcast!From microdermabrasion to LED red light therapy, Louise explains each step in detail, discusses her skincare range, and shares hilarious travel tales, dream revelations, and some top beauty advice. It's one of our most relaxed and fun episodes yet – with skincare, banter, and a lot of laughs.💬 Let us know in the comments if you've tried any of the treatments Louise mentions – or if you've had a skincare disaster story of your own!⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Intro with Louise from Simply Be Skincare01:10 – Louise’s early career & redundancy moment02:50 – How she launched her skincare business06:00 – Rachel’s skincare habits & family skincare chat07:30 – What age should skincare routines begin?08:30 – Real-life skincare disasters10:00 – Golf talk & hilarious holiday stories14:00 – Spiders, resorts & weird travel experiences17:00 – Live microdermabrasion begins!20:00 – What does the treatment do?23:00 – A-lift & red light therapy explained27:00 – Microneedling – what is it and how does it help?30:00 – Weddings, videography & memories that last34:00 – Skincare filters vs real life – keeping it real39:00 – Simply Be product range & natural ingredients42:00 – Skincare advice for everyone – dos and don’ts44:00 – Painting dogs, artistic hobbies & charcoal noses48:00 – Wrapping up the treatment – Rachel's glowing!51:00 – Louise’s favourite products & skincare tips53:00 – What she loves most about her job54:00 – Louise’s socials & where to find Simply Be54:30 – Quick-fire questions (dreams, déjà vu & life advice)1:03:00 – Sponsors & outro#SkincareRoutine #Microdermabrasion #CherrywoodPodcast💼 This episode is sponsored by:🔹 De Medici Associates – Chartered structural and civil engineers with a global reach.🌐 www.demediciassociates.com🔹 WR At Home Medway – Quality home care services, from companionship to live-in support.🌐 www.wrathome.co.uk/medway | 📞 01634 979000🔹 Hindsight Directory – Reach 30,000+ homes with this full-colour A5 magazine across Kent.🌐 www.hindsightdirectory.co.uk🔹 Bond Carpentry – From bespoke cupboards to garden houses, licensed to drill!📞 07738 732931🔹 SnugDubs Camper Van Hire – Roam anywhere in comfort.🌐 www.snugdubs.co.uk🔹 Cherrywood Productions – Award-winning video and photography for weddings & businesses.🌐 www.cherrywoodpro.comWelcome to Cherrywood Podcast, your source for inspiring conversations and compelling stories. Join us as we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals from various fields, offering insights into personal growth, entrepreneurship, creativity, and more. Subscribe for positivity, authenticity, and engaging discussions. #podcast#WeddingVendor#entrepreneurContact:📧 Email: info@cherrypro.co.uk📞 Phone: 07857 283 005🌐 Website: www.cherrypro.co.uk📱 Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherrywoodproductions📸 Instagram: @cherrywoodproGuests Song Choices playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3YxsMkrJLbFQSjeRKfzcCQ?si=21a21d1ef9534479Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests on Cherrywood Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or producers.