Building NRN's Solar Solution with Alan Hunter and Jess Padman
Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford speak with Alan Hunter, CEO and Founder of NRN (National Renewable Network), and Jess Padman, Director of Energy Products, about their innovative approach to making renewable energy accessible to everyone—without the upfront costs, maintenance headaches, or complexity.
This episode explores how NRN has reimagined solar and battery adoption by removing the financial barrier. Instead of customers buying their own systems, NRN installs, owns, and maintains the assets, then licenses them to energy retailers who use the capacity 24/7 for their hedging strategies. Customers simply get lower energy bills—typically saving $700-$1000 annually—without any capital investment or maintenance risk.
Alan shares his journey from door-to-door solar sales to discovering that the traditional ownership model wasn't working for many Australians. Jess explains the sophisticated digital platform that makes the entire customer journey seamless, from quoting through to installation tracking.
The conversation tackles critical industry challenges: why only 15% of battery owners join VPP programs (even among early adopters), the conflict of interest across stakeholders when customers own their assets, and why $2.3 billion in battery subsidies aren't solving grid problems. Learn how NRN's model eliminates these conflicts by positioning energy retailers as the true customers, how they size systems to maximise retailer profitability while delivering customer savings, and their vision for expanding into heat pumps and EV charging—potentially even vehicle leasing as part of the energy plan.
(05:00) NRN's business model: install, own, maintain, and license to energy retailers
(11:00) Digital platform advantage and keeping customers engaged through simplicity
(18:00) Evolution from residential PPAs and partnering with solar retailers
(24:00) Why only 15% of battery owners join VPPs, and the $2.3 billion subsidy question
(30:00) Working with distribution networks and government partnerships
(35:00) Startup advice and future expansion into heat pumps and EV solutions
(40:00) System sizing strategy and the need for retailer-network collaboration
The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.
Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.
Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.
To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io
