Off-grid solar

MEET DALE: OUR OFF-GRID ENGINEER

Dale joined Talk Energy before we even offered off-grid systems, questioning why a company with strong industry backing and skilled electricians wasn’t already delivering them. At the time, we made a conscious decision not to, knowing that without the right expertise, the risk of failure in an off-grid system meant leaving a client without power entirely. That standard mattered to us. Over the past three years, Dale has been central to changing that, helping build our in-house engineering capability from the ground up and giving us the confidence to deliver complex, fully independent energy systems.

With over 20 years in the renewable energy sector, Dale is a seasoned electrical engineer and accredited designer whose experience spans residential, commercial, and large-scale solar projects across Australia and internationally. His background includes designing and assessing systems from small standalone setups through to large commercial installations, along with developing off-grid, hybrid, and battery storage solutions across a wide range of applications. He has worked across every stage of the project lifecycle, from site assessment and energy auditing through to system design, compliance, commissioning, and client handover, giving him a practical, end-to-end understanding of how energy systems perform in the real world.

Throughout his career, Dale has also played a key role in building processes and standards within the solar industry, creating system documentation, training teams, and troubleshooting installations to ensure performance and compliance. He has been involved in pioneering hybrid battery integrations and early off-grid designs, including some of the first systems of their kind in WA, where there were no established rules to follow. This ability to operate at the edge of what’s possible is exactly what makes him so valuable in the off-grid space today.

At Talk Energy, that experience translates into real-world outcomes. Dale has project managed a 114kW lead carbon battery system for a cattery in Herne Hill, doubled the available energy supply for a vehicle servicing property in Boyanup, and developed alternative energy solutions for clients who had been declined renewable options by their retailer. He thrives on solving the intricate and often unconventional challenges faced across WA’s rural and regional network, where reliability is critical and every system must be tailored to the environment it serves.

Outside of engineering, Dale has a creative side. In his spare time, he enjoys writing and playing music, with a particular passion for alternative rock. While his experience could easily take him into large-scale mining or corporate energy roles, he chooses to focus on helping everyday Australians access reliable, independent power. That balance of technical depth, practical experience, and genuine care for the end user is what defines Dale and the systems he delivers.