What does it actually take to electrify your life and why would someone leave a traditional economics career to do it?
In this episode of The OpenSolar Podcast, host Melissa sits down with OpenSolar CEO Andrew “Birchy” Birch to explore his personal journey from economics and corporate energy to building a global solar platform and fully solar-powered lifestyle.
Birchy doesn’t just talk about solar, he lives it. From running a 600-year-old Devon farmhouse on solar and heat pumps, to raising a climate-conscious family and driving EVs for over a decade, he shares what electrification looks like in real life. The systems, the savings, and the mindset shift it requires.
🎙️ In this episode, we cover:
🔁 Why Birchy left economics for solar energy
🏡 How to electrify your home — from heat pumps to solar panels to EVs
💸 Affordability: how Birchy cut his energy costs by more than 50%
🌍 The S-curve of global solar adoption
🧒 Raising a family with climate literacy and clean energy habits
Whether you're curious about going solar, unsure how to make the switch, or already part of the clean energy movement, this conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of what’s possible, and how to take action.
This episode is for:
Anyone seeking clarity and motivation in the transition to a sustainable future
Homeowners who want to cut energy bills and reduce emissions
Clean energy professionals and solar contractors
Listen now and discover how one person’s shift from economics to electrification is helping reshape the future of energy.
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Andrew Birch “Birchy” - Andrew Birch or Birchy, as he’s known across the solar world, is a clean energy economist and the Co-Founder of OpenSolar. With over two decades of experience accelerating the global solar movement, Birchy is on a mission to make solar accessible, affordable, and scalable for all.
His career has spanned the full arc of solar’s rise, from grassroots beginnings to global impact and he's known for combining deep industry insight with a bold, optimistic vision for the future.
Find out more at www.ebirchy.com