Moving from niche to necessity: Dr KT Tan on how the UK is rethinking its solar approach

What if solar isn't new, but the way we use it is? In this episode of the Solar&StorageXtra podcast, guest host Ken Davies is joined by Dr KT Tan, Chief Technical Officer at Viridian Solar and a board member of Solar Energy UK. With over 20 years of experience in the solar industry, KT brings a wealth of knowledge, from the technical evolution of PV systems to regulatory challenges. In this conversation, KT shares the story of his unlikely leap from biotechnology into solar, and what led to the discovery of solar power in the first place. KT and Ken also unpack the intricacies of integrated PV design and the role of product reliability in building industry trust, with KT providing his wisdom as a stalwart member of the solar sector. The pair show a clear view of the challenges - and the immense potential - facing domestic solar in the UK and beyond.   Key topics & Timestamps 0:26 – Introducing Dr KT Tan, CTO of Viridian Solar 1:11 – KT’s move from biotech to solar 4:49 – Solar in the UK: public perception vs. and potential 8:14 – Balancing energy generation with building material 16:36 – Designing PV panels for installation, durability, and performance 22:52 – Fire safety and regulatory confusion 29:11 – Challenges in the rooftop solar market 31:31 – Opportunities abound: construction, expansion, and innovation 34:09 – Outro   Credits: Guest host: Ken Davies Guest: Dr KT Tan, Chief Technical Officer at Viridian Solar Producer: Catie Owen, Editor of Solar&StorageXtra Marketing: Katie Devaney, Marketing Director for Solar & Storage Live Europe This podcast is a Terrapinn production. Discover the latest solar and storage news at solarstoragextra.com  For podcast, editorial, thought leadership and commercial opportunities, get in touch with the Solar&StorageXtra team: [email protected]