Entering summer, our worsening climate has become a major worry. Reports warning of looming troubles are filling news headlines from the international to local level. People are responding to these concerns in various ways, one of which includes the pursuit of residential solar installations. In this post, we examine how the two big problems of the season are pushing more homeowners toward solar.
Extreme Drought is Pushing People Toward Green Living
Drought has become a worldwide problem. In America, approximately half of the lower 48 states (almost 89 million citizens) are experiencing drought conditions. Most of the counties in the West have received official “Drought Disaster” designations from the USDA.
Such extremity has prompted calls for local residents to take water-saving measures, making changes to habits such as bathing frequency, toilet flushing, lawn watering, and dishwashing. Having state and city officials plead for these lifestyle changes has brought the issue to the forefront of people’s minds. More and more citizens are recognizing the serious consequences of climate change and resource scarcity.
This is motivating many to transition to greener practices, including the adoption of eco-friendly technologies. Homeowners who are aiming to reduce their own resource consumption are seeking out not just water-saving installations, but also other sustainable features like solar panels.
Wildfire Season is Bringing Grim Blackout Forecasts
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently announced that utility customers can expect more blackouts throughout the 2022 fire season.
Worsening weather conditions and dryness created by the drought are set to increase the risk of fire sparked by utility infrastructure. In California, it’s expected that the number of preventative power shutoffs (PSPS events) will peak in mid-September. Extreme heat is also expected to overwhelm electricity demands, causing widespread grid failure.
People living in wildfire-prone regions have come to expect this volatility, and their tolerance is wearing thin. Without air conditioning or refrigeration on the hottest days, residents have to endure conditions that can cause heatstroke, and even result in significant losses as food and medication spoils. Being unable to charge devices also poses a risk for citizens who rely on electronics for notice of evacuations and road closures.
Many of the affected customers already experience power instability through the winter months. From last Christmas to January 5th, more than 350,000 residents in California’s Sierra region were without power due to a winter storm. Many of these citizens were forced to go without heating, lighting, and even warm meals during this period. While PG&E partnered with local agencies to provide warming centers and food supplies to the affected areas, many of these resources were out of reach for customers who lived in more rural zones or lacked access to transportation.
Year-round incidents like these have diminished confidence among residents that their utility providers can be counted on. Basic necessities can be gone at a moment’s notice, causing disruption at best, and serious danger at worst.
Citizens who have been suffering through these conditions are seeking solutions that give them continuous, dependable energy, even when the grid is down. Now at the start of summer, a number of these homeowners want to get solar installed before the risk of blackouts is highest.
Climate Pressures are Driving Solar Lead Generation
With these concerns increasing demand for solar, it’s possible to find many solar customers right now. The key is zoning in on those who are serious and fully ready to make a purchase this season.
Grid Freedom helps contractors like you directly connect with customers who want to buy solar now. We’ve already put in all of the work to attract and screen every lead, ensuring that you only meet with those who’ve been verified as keen and eligible buyers. Each lead comes on a 100% exclusive basis, with their first consultation already scheduled.
