Get Free Solar Panel Quotes
Find out how much solar panels would cost you
Do you need solar panels for your home or business? Fill in our form - Get a free quote - Start saving on energy bills
Why get solar panels?
  • Generate free, green electricity
  • Reduce your electricity bill by up to 64%
  • Get paid for what you don't use

The renewable energy revolution, with Jan Rosenow – Positive Energy Ep10

Louise Frohlich
Written By
Maximilian Schwerdtfeger
Reviewed By
Published on 26 August 2025
  • Jan Rosenow, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the Environmental Change Institute (ECI), is our tenth guest on Positive Energy
  • The ECI is an interdisciplinary unit within the University of Oxford
  • It has helped governments and communities respond to the risks of environmental change since 1991
  • Watch the podcast on YouTube or listen on Spotify below

Watch episode 10 of Positive Energy – powered by The Eco Experts, with Leader of the Energy Programme at Oxford University, Jan Rosenow, in conversation with Max Schwerdtfeger and Roland Ellison

For episode 10 of Positive Energy, we’re proud to welcome Jan Rosenow, Leader of the Energy Programme and Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the Energy Climate Institute (ECI) at the University of Oxford.

Rosenow’s research focuses on renewable energy efficiency, climate policy and the implementation of decarbonisation strategies. His contributions have earned him a spot in the top 100 players in the global climate space. 

The ECI conducts interdisciplinary research across eight core programmes including climate, energy, ecosystems and infrastructure. It advises governments, businesses and communities on how to respond to the risks of environmental change.

The institute prides itself on developing future pioneers of change, with research that focuses on “the complex processes of global environmental change, the exploration of sustainable solutions” as well as “motivating change for the better through partnerships and education.”

Solar thermal panels

Get a solar panel quote

Answer a few simple questions, and a trusted solar panel installer will be in touch with a bespoke quote for your home or business.

In this episode, we speak to Rosenow about renewable energy. This includes barriers to clean energy adoption – from EPC ratings to political criticism of the Net Zero strategy – and why we need to stay optimistic as the UK navigates an energy transition. 

As Rosenow says: “If you’re negative and you just point to the problems, it’s not going to get you anywhere.”

Rosenow tells us about how we can future-proof our homes to make the most of low-carbon technology such as solar panels, and how one key UK policy change will pave the way for greener homeownership.

He also discusses whether social media is a force for good or bad when it comes to communicating the benefits of clean energy.

Rosenow explains: “It’s nothing to do with being woke. It’s all about finding a pathway that allows us to produce energy that’s better for the environment, that’s cheaper, more reliable and more efficient.”

Engineer repairing double glazed window

Get a double-glazing quote

Answer a few simple questions, and a trusted double-glazing installer will be in touch with a bespoke quote for your home.

Check out our guides below: 

Get a free quote for a solar panel for your home by using our quick quote tool.

Heat pump installation can help reduce carbon footprint

Get a heat pump quote

Answer a few simple questions, and a trusted heat pump installer will be in touch with a bespoke quote for your home or business.

Episode 1 – Bean Beanland

Episode 2 – Ramin Hakimov

Episode 3 – Chris Hewett

Episode 4 – Claire Gardner

 Episode 5 – Pauric Foody

Episode 6 – Leah Robson 

Episode 7 – Bean Beanland (again!)

Episode 8 – Lucy Shea

Episode 9 – Simon Peat

Written By

Louise Frohlich

Joining Eco Experts in April 2024 as Editorial Assistant, Louise has a keen interest in low-carbon technology and enjoys writing about anything sustainability related.

More about

Reviewed By

Maximilian Schwerdtfeger

Max joined The Eco Experts as content manager in February 2024. He has written about sustainability issues across numerous industries, including maritime, supply chain, finance, mining, and retail. He has also written extensively for consumer titles like City AM, The Morning Star, and The Daily Express.

In 2020, he covered in detail the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) legislation on sulphur emissions and its effects on the global container shipping market as online editor of Port Technology International.

He also explored the initiatives major container ports and terminals have launched in order to ship vital goods across the world without polluting the environment.

Since then, he has reported heavily on the impact made by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on the supply chain of minerals, with a particular focus on rare earth mining in Africa.

As part of this, in 2022 Max visited mines and ports in Angola to hone in on the challenges being faced by one of the world’s biggest producers of rare earth minerals.

His most recent sustainability-related work came much closer to home, as he investigated the eco-challenges faced by independent retailers in the UK, specifically looking at how they can cut emissions and continue to thrive.

Max lives in South London and is an avid reader of books on modern history and ghost stories. He has also recently learned to play the game Mahjong and takes every opportunity to do so. He is also yet to find a sport he doesn’t enjoy watching.

More about