Solar Smart

Irish businesses often face unsustainable, escalating energy costs. Many retail leaders struggle to balance aggressive growth strategies with a commitment to environmental stewardship. Nourish, one of Ireland's most established natural health and wellness retailers, decided to tackle this challenge head-on by adopting solar energy.
This episode explores Nourish's decades-long evolution from an obscure health food store to a mainstream retail leader and details the operational decisions that led to their new HQ solar installation. Host Morgan Pierce and Lloyd Hewson discuss tackling high electricity bills, upcycling materials, the power of SEAI business training, and the surprising speed of solar payback.
Joining Morgan is Lloyd Hewson, Head of Operations at Nourish. Lloyd has seen the industry dramatically evolve during his 25-year tenure and shares his extensive experience managing growth and embedding sustainability at the core of the business.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Nourish's 40-year evolution and growth
Retail's energy challenges and waste reduction
The HQ move and solar decision
Quantifying solar's impact and payback
Debunking solar myths and key advice
GUEST DETAILS
Lloyd Hewson is the Head of Operations at Nourish, Ireland's leading natural health and wellness retailer. He has been with Nourish for over 25 years, starting in warehouse and shop roles before moving into head office operations. He is an expert in balancing rapid business growth with sustainability and led the sustainable fit-out and solar installation at Nourish’s new headquarters.
MORE INFORMATION
Since 2020, SolarSmart has been driving solar adoption in Ireland. We’ve installed over 1700 systems for homeowners and business owners around the country. SolarSmart is now the country’s highest-rated solar installer on Trustpilot. 
Visit our website;  solarsmart.ie
This podcast was produced by dustpod.io

Achieving binding climate change goals presents an immense challenge for Ireland's vital agriculture sector, which must find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without collapsing the economy. Simply reducing herd numbers is a "knee-jerk reaction" that would harm Ireland, Europe's largest beef exporter, which already boasts a strong sustainability profile based on its grass-fed system. The real solution lies in strategic measurement, verification, and the adoption of new energy solutions like solar power.
This episode explores the critical connection between farm sustainability and renewable energy adoption, highlighting why solar is proving to be an unparalleled win for Irish businesses and homeowners. Discover how one company is verifying the country’s green resource and charting a path to energy independence, with astonishing return on investment figures.
We are joined by David Mullins, Founder and Owner Director of AgriData Ltd. David’s company is contracted to Bord Bia to provide on-farm inspections and verification for the Sustainable Assurance Scheme, placing him at the very centre of Ireland’s sustainability drive.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
AgriData sustainability inspections across Irish farms
Six kilowatt system proved solar viability 
Wall mounted winter performance exceeded expectations 
EV driving fundamentally changes environmental thinking 
Ireland's climate perfect for solar production
GUEST DETAILS
David Mullins:
Founder and owner director of AgriData Ltd. Started as a software company in 1996 selling Farm Software systems to farmers, worked on projects for DAFM, the EPA, Repak ELT (Now Circle ELT) and Bord Bia, providing inspection service to Bord Bia and back office administration services to them. Working directly in the sustainability area through our contracts. Installed a 21Kw Solar PV system, 30Kwh Battery with SolarSmart and switched to Air Source Heat pumps for heating and cooling - removed all ICE vehicles and now only use BEV's.
DAVID’S PUBLIC CONTACT DETAILS
Website: https://agridata.ie
QUOTES
We are individually responsible for what we've done to the planet. We're individually responsible for what we continue to do to the planet and what we should do.  - David Mullins
The biggest myth is that Solar doesn't work in Ireland because we don't have sun. That's absolute rubbish. It is not even remotely true. We actually do nearly as good as Spain, to be quite honest with you, because we've got long days and cool temperatures. - David Mullins
At the end of the day, they do not compare. Small wind turbines don't compare with solar at all. - David Mullins
MORE INFORMATION
Since 2020, SolarSmart has been driving solar adoption in Ireland. We’ve installed over 1700 systems for homeowners and business owners around the country. SolarSmart is now the country’s highest-rated solar installer on Trustpilot. 
Visit our website;  solarsmart.ie
This podcast was produced by dustpod.io
KEYWORDS 
#SolarEnergy #SustainableFarming #ElectricVehicles #IrishAgriculture #CarbonNeutral

Rising energy costs and increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets are creating a perfect storm for Irish business owners and financial officers today. Navigating the complex world of renewable energy can seem daunting but the financial argument for transforming your roof into a power generator has never been stronger.
In our first episode, we explore how solar technology works specifically for commercial entities and how it directly impacts the bottom line. We discuss the mechanics of energy independence, the specific grants available to Irish businesses and how to turn unused roof space into a guaranteed revenue stream through government-backed schemes.
Joining our host Morgan Pierce is Padraic Marren, the Chief Strategy Officer at SolarSmart. With a deep background in business strategy, Padraic breaks down the numbers, the technology, and the strategic advantages of adopting solar energy in the current economic climate.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Morgan’s transition from tech to solar 
How solar energy is created 
Battery storage for 24/7 operations 
ROI and payback periods 
The Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme

GUEST DETAILS
Padraic Marren is the Chief Strategy Officer at SolarSmart.ie. He plays a pivotal role in guiding the strategic direction of the company, focusing on helping commercial clients navigate the transition to renewable energy. His main skills lie in business strategy development, analysing market trends for renewable integration, and delivering customer-centric energy solutions.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/padraic-marren/
QUOTES
Solar panels actually work better in temperate, temperate climates - Morgan Pierce
Every kilowatt hour of electricity that comes in from the solar panels replaces a kilowatt hour that you purchase from your electricity supply company - Morgan Pierce
Payback on that investment in perhaps anywhere between two years and four years - Padraic Marren
They will guarantee you a rate of 13 cent kilowatt for 15 years - Padraic Marren
This SRES scheme makes a lot of sense for Ireland, because we want every possible kilowatt hour flowing out to the grid. - Morgan Pierce

MORE INFORMATION
Since 2020, SolarSmart has been driving solar adoption in Ireland. We’ve installed over 1700 systems for homeowners and business owners around the country. SolarSmart is now the country’s highest-rated solar installer on Trustpilot. 
Visit our website;  solarsmart.ie
This podcast was produced by dustpod.io
KEYWORDS
#SolarEnergy #BusinessBenefits #SolarPanels #RenewableEnergy

Introducing solar expert Morgan Pierce. She moved to Ireland with the tech industry in the late 90s and today has become one of Ireland's leaders in solar energy.
In our new podcast series, she’ll be sharing what she finds compelling about solar energy, and hearing stories from people about their real world experience with solar in their home or business. 
Press 'Follow' to get Solar Smart with Morgan Pierce. A brand new podcast coming this January wherever you get your podcasts.