Diverse Solar Contractors Can Gain an Edge Via SEIA's Diverse Suppliers Networking Event

As a rapidly expanding industry, more and more solar businesses are arising under diverse ownership. This is creating a wealth of economic opportunities for underrepresented groups, both in terms of career options and community representation. 

Encouraging diversity in solar has become a priority in the industry, especially under the current presidential administration. Leaders are taking action to cultivate opportunities for diverse individuals and businesses throughout the solar sector.

One of these is the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). As part of their latest effort to help boost Solar's diverse companies, SEIA will be hosting its Diverse Suppliers Virtual Networking Event on June 23rd at 2PM EST.

What Does This Digital Networking Meeting Have to Offer?

There will be three key speakers at the event, addressing the importance of pursuing more diverse partnerships in the industry. These speakers include:

• Dana Sleeper, The Sleeper Group

• Tom Donahue, President, Donahue & Sons

• Monique M. Dyers, P.E., Principal & CEO, Ensight Energy Consulting, LLC

The event will also shine a light on SEIA’s Diverse Suppliers Database, a recently-launched resource that helps supply chain buyers find diverse-owned businesses to collaborate with. This resource has become a highly useful tool for solar businesses, as tracking and improving solar diversity is becoming a necessary part of compliance in certain markets. If you have yet to be listed in the DSD, you can add your business information here. 

Attending This Zoom Event

This event is open to anyone who represents a diverse-owned business or is looking for guidance on how to find diverse-owned suppliers. It will facilitate connections between members throughout the solar supply chain, laying the foundation for relationships that strengthen diversity industry-wide.

If you’re interested in attending this virtual networking event, you can register here. It will take place on June 23, 2022, at 02:00 PM in Eastern Time (the US and Canada) via ZOOM. 

Solar Lead Companies Improve Opportunities for All

Diverse installers can find more sale opportunities and reduce competition pressures by partnering with the right solar lead companies. Agencies that work to deliver only the most valuable, viable leads can help installers increase the efficiency of their lead sourcing, and close more deals every month. This can be a vital leg up in establishing your business's financials and reputation.

Grid Freedom is one of the most trusted suppliers for contractors who need leads they can count on. We put all of our leads through an in-depth screening process that sorts out which homeowners are really ready to install. Contractors from all over the USA can access as many leads as they need, at any time. 

Grow Sales Numbers at www.GridFreedom.com

How Biden's Solar Tariff Pause Will Impact the Industry

Earlier this spring, the U.S. Department of Commerce kicked off an investigation into possible evasion of import tariffs by South Asian solar manufacturers. This was sparked by claims that these producers were circumventing AD/CV duties by hiding the fact that they used Chinese parts.

Immediate backlash erupted following the announcement, with many in the solar industry forecasting serious disruption to the supply chain and solar projects. Their grim predictions came true, as countless companies saw order cancellations soon after the investigation began. 

Almost 80% of the industry’s supply was effectively cut off as manufacturers went on the defensive. Some of the nation’s largest projects were faced with delays of more than a year, hindering the Biden administration’s goals to achieve a decarbonized energy grid by 2035. With tariffs expected to be raised up to 250%, even retroactively, America’s contractors feared that a stiff increase in panel pricing would come soon. 

Re-Opening the Flow of Solar Imports

Strong encouragement came from both sides of the political aisle to call off the DOC’s investigation, citing the harm to both the solar industry and the administration’s clean energy efforts. 20 governors, 22 U.S. senators, and 85 members of the House of Representatives spoke out.

In response to the overwhelming calls for action, President Biden announced that all tariffs applied to Southeast Asian solar cell products would be paused for a period of 24 months. So while the DOC investigation will still be active, these manufacturers can shelve their worry and get back to supplying America’s contractors. Projects that were threatened with disastrous delays can get back on track, and the industry as a whole can rest easy over possible price hikes. 

Biden’s actions included a spur to domestic solar production, invoking the Defense Production Act to fund American manufacturing of clean energy technologies. This move will help the U.S. build up its own resources, working to relieve the dependency on Asian production. 

Removing a Threat to Solar Panel Lead Generation 

Solar projects small and large were endangered under the looming consequences of tariff increases. With limited product availability and predicted price jumps, contractors were seeing customers shrink away from greenlighting their solar projects. 

Now, that threat has been sidelined. For the next two years, contractors and their customers can have peace of mind knowing that their solar products and project budgets are safe. 

Nevertheless, the tumultuous economy still presents difficulties for contractors seeking new opportunities. Top agency Grid Freedom is working to connect installers with homeowners who have already been screened and selected for their intent to go solar. Every lead has been vetted via live phone calls with our agents and offered with complete exclusivity.

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