There’s Now a Brighter Tomorrow for Maryland Solar Lead Generation

 

Maryland’s solar market is poised for an upturn, thanks to a recent bill signing. On May 9, 2024, Governor Wes Moore

signed into law the Brighter Tomorrow Act (SB 783), which will go into effect June 1st. 

This new law expands the reach and affordability of solar power, targeting benefits specifically for low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents. As such, Maryland’s contractors can expect to see more customers enter the market, from demographics that were once financially held back. 

More About the Brighter Tomorrow Act

SB 783 was introduced in February 2024, following a series of amendments through the Maryland General Assembly. Written

with a holistic approach, the Act seeks to not only make solar energy more accessible to the state’s population but also to

make it a cornerstone of Maryland's energy infrastructure.

It introduces several initiatives aimed at reducing solar installation costs and improving energy equity across the state. One key example is the establishment of a residential solar grant program, managed by the Maryland Energy Administration, which will provide significant subsidies (up to $7500) to qualifying households for solar adoption​. These grants will reduce the initial cost barrier that often discourages LMI families from taking the solar leap. 

Furthermore, SB 783 paves the way for automated, digital solar permitting. This modernization is expected to streamline approvals for solar installations, reducing red tape delays and costs​. The simplification of the permitting process means that contractors can undertake more projects in less time.

These combined benefits are expected to make solar adoption a much easier process for the average Marylander, in turn boosting sales for contractors.

To Capitalize on the Uptick, Contractors Need Support from a Solar Lead Provider

With lowered barriers to entry for potential customers, solar companies can expect increasing demand. And while that sounds

like good news, it does come with a drawback: all of the buzz inevitably results in many more inquiries from customers who

aren’t actually prepared to go solar anytime soon. While they’re casually scoping out the landscape, contractors are investing

valuable resources into trying to nurture and convert real sales. 

Having the help of the right solar lead generation companies can make a big difference here. An agency that puts leads through diligent screening can ensure that only the most serious customers make it onto contractors’ calendars, minimizing time wasted on consultations that don’t bring fruit. 

Additionally, with installations now taking less time to complete, contractors will need faster identification and booking of customer meetings. Solar lead generators that require customers to commit to their first appointment can provide this directly, empowering contractors to make the most of the latest streamlining in permitting. 

Grid Freedom is one of the only agencies in the industry that follows this full-service lead generation model. Contractors get the greatest advantage when efficiency is becoming all the more critical to success. 

Discover Maryland’s Best Solar Lead Generation Service: GridFreedom.com

Exclusive Pre-set Solar Appointments can Help Contractors Weather Slashed Solar Incentives

 

After numerous cuts to solar incentives across the nation, 2024 has brought tough conditions for contractors.

Incentive reductions have been a trend from coast to coast, with several states choosing to reduce compensation for those

who return their excess energy back to the grid. 

This has dealt a big blow to local markets, in some cases plummeting demand for installations. So how can contractors cope? In this post, we examine how sourcing exclusive pre-set appointments is becoming a lifeline for solar businesses in affected areas. 

Hacking Away at Solar Support

In California, the adoption of Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM 3.0) has drastically reduced the financial benefits of solar.

This new policy effectively reduces the value of electricity exported to the grid by 75% compared to previous rates.

Its rollout brought on an 80% contraction in the state’s solar market, and companies have reported sales decreased by as

much as 30% compared to previous years​. Many contractors were forced to shut their doors. Around 17,000 jobs were lost

due to the steep drop in demand. 

Idaho followed suit soon after, cutting its own NEM program and adding a monthly charge for solar customers. The state’s main utility, Idaho Power, also covers territory in Oregon. There it also attempted to achieve similar reductions, and despite official rejection, is continuing to pursue rate reductions. 

In West Virginia, Mon Power and Potomac Edison also pushed for their own revisions, aiming to halve the original 1-to-1 compensation rate. Negotiations instead ended with a 21% drop in the compensation rate, set to go into effect on January 1st, 2025.

Arizona’s own solar compensation policy has been rife with conflict over the past years, with program cuts being re-voted every election cycle. Its latest vote saw a 10% reduction, though 37% was originally proposed. 

Finding Certain Sales Requires Stronger Leads

Such instability has made homeowners increasingly wary of investing in solar, translating to lower sales numbers for contractors. Long-term, the outlook isn’t great: projections warn of a potential contraction in nationwide solar installations due to elevated interest rates and slowed legislative support for incentives.

If contractors want to ensure a healthy revenue stream moving forward, it’s time to leverage more targeted lead-generation methods. Teaming up with a supplier that can deliver booked appointments with customers who have been confirmed as enthusiastic prospects is one of the best ways to sidestep current sales struggles. By focusing on informed leads that demonstrate a real commitment to going solar, contractors can lose less time to customers who will be scared off by recent incentive cuts. 

Grid Freedom is one of the few agencies in the industry capable of delivering leads of this caliber, 100% exclusive and competition-free. Installers have come to rely on us for solid sales opportunities, not just for lead quality, but also for our pro-contractor terms and business model. 

Contractors pay no extra fees, subscription dues, or other tacked-on charges - a problem that is all too common among other lead dealers. Moreover, our service requires no contracts or minimums, leaving one free to source leads at the frequency and number they actually need. With this resource, installers can breathe easier knowing that paying customers can be found and converted quickly, even as the market slows. 

Meet Install-Ready Customers: Book Pre-set Solar Appointments at www.GridFreedom.com