Hi, I’m James — the solar nerd behind Rooftop Solar Company.
This site is where I share everything I’ve learnt from years on the roof, in ceiling spaces and inside switchboards, so you can actually understand what’s happening with the panels on your roof – or the ones you’re thinking about installing.
Who I am
When I was about 10, I was gifted a snap circuit kit toy. I loved it and, from then on, never stopped playing with electrical circuits! Towards the end of high school, most of my friends were unsure about ‘what to do next’. I, on the other hand, had it all clear – an electrical apprenticeship!
I started my career as an electrician, doing the usual mix of domestic and light commercial work around Sydney. Pretty quickly, I found myself spending a lot of time in roof spaces and plant rooms, working on air conditioning installations.
Being around AC systems all day was a bit of an eye-opener. I could see how much power people were burning just trying to stay comfortable through Aussie summers. That’s what nudged me towards solar – it just made sense to fix the problem at the source.
I went on to start my own business installing both air conditioning and solar systems. I designed and installed rooftop solar for homes, small businesses and a few bigger projects. After years of early starts, hot tin roofs and steady growth, I sold the business and moved into full-time solar consulting.
These days I live in Castle Hill with an office based in Parramatta, but my work takes me right across Australia. I travel for projects and for fun, and wherever I go, I’m the person walking around looking up at roof pitch, panel layout and cable runs. I genuinely love what I do and I’m not shy about being a full-blown solar energy geek.
What I do now
As a consultant, my job is to help people cut through the noise. I work with homeowners, business owners and project teams who want systems that actually perform, not just look good on paper. I’m not locked into any one brand or installer, so I can be honest about what’s worth paying for and what isn’t.
I spend a lot of time:
- Reviewing existing systems and figuring out why they’re underperforming
- Advising on new system designs so they suit the roof, climate and usage
- Helping people understand their inverter data, bills and realistic savings
Most of the time, it comes down to practical design, decent gear and not getting sucked in by shiny “extras” that don’t add much real-world value.
What Rooftop Solar Company is about
Rooftop Solar Company is my way of sharing the kind of straight, on-site advice I used to give at kitchen tables – without the sales pitch.
You’ll find plain-English explanations of how solar works, what affects performance and how to look after both your panels and your roof. I also write about real situations I’ve seen around Australia: systems hammered by heat, storms or salt air, installs that were done brilliantly, and a few that were… less than ideal.
This isn’t a glossy marketing site. It’s a practical, slightly nerdy blog aimed at helping you make smarter choices about solar, whether you’re just starting to look into it or you’ve had panels for years.
Why I started this blog
Over the years, I’ve met plenty of people who:
- Signed up to systems that were poorly designed for their roof or usage
- Never got shown how to read their inverter, monitor or power bills properly
- Had no idea how much difference basic maintenance and safe cleaning can make
That gap in understanding is what pushed me to start Rooftop Solar Company. I want homeowners and business owners to feel confident asking questions, challenging quotes and getting systems that genuinely suit them – not just whatever happens to be on special that month.
Let’s keep it solar-smart
If you’re wondering whether solar is worth it for your place, if your current system is doing what it should, or how roof condition, shade, cleaning and design all fit together, you’re in the right spot.
Have a read through the articles, bookmark anything useful, and come back whenever you need a no-nonsense take on rooftop solar. I’ll be somewhere between Parramatta and the next project – still looking up, still learning, and still way too excited about panels on roofs.