Solar Contractors are Improving Spring Sales with Exclusive Pre-set Appointments

This spring is shaping up to be a bit challenging for solar contractors. Harsh winter weather is still sending snow and rain pouring down from coast to coast, pushing the ideal conditions for installation back even further. The economic crunch is squeezing household budgets tighter, and a wave of anti-solar regulations is going into effect.

Solar installers are doing all they can to combat these difficulties, including expanding their lead generation methods. Many have found purchasing exclusive pre-set appointments to be the best measure for ensuring a steady, reliable income through the season. Read on to learn why.

Appointment-Confirmed Leads Offer Greater Security

If you’ve yet to try lead purchasing for your business, you may not yet know what exclusive pre-set solar appointments are. These are the highest quality leads offered by agencies that specialize in solar lead generation. Instead of only receiving the contact information of a potential customer, you receive already-scheduled appointments with homeowners who have passed screening and want to meet with a contractor right away. Furthermore, the “exclusive” label means that you can rest assured the lead hasn’t been shared with any of your competition.

This arrangement is favored by contractors because it removes a large part of the uncertainty that surrounds every lead. There is no worry that they are paying for a lead that may be won over by another contractor or may not even be willing to book a consultation. The fact that the homeowner was already so certain they wanted to schedule an appointment is a big predictor of their readiness to buy.

When you invest in this type of lead, you maximize your chance of ROI and minimize wasteful spending on dead-end opportunities. You’ll be able to allocate your lead generation budget as efficiently as possible, which is likely a necessity after a long, hard winter.

Pre-Booked Appointments Fill Your Calendar

Great peace of mind comes from having weeks’ worth of appointments already booked out. Sourcing all of the pre-set appointments you can allows you to plan out the months more effectively, seeing how much extra work will be needed to find other leads - if any is needed at all.

It’s completely possible for a high-performing agency to supply you with all of the leads you need to satisfy your monthly quota. Achieving this kind of stability takes a massive amount of pressure off you and your team, allowing you to focus on providing great service instead of pushing customers too hard on a sale. When you have the breathing room to relax, your team has the opportunity to improve their methods, try new approaches, and deliver a more satisfying experience to homeowners. All of these effects can drive an uptick in sales, so don’t be surprised if you see a better closing rate.

Grid Freedom is the Ultimate Source of Exclusive, Pre-Set Solar Appointments

Now comes the question: where do contractors find these exclusive appointments?

While there are only a few agencies that provide truly exclusive, pre-set bookings, the one that is gaining the most traction is Grid Freedom. Years of dependable, high-quality lead supply has made Grid Freedom a favorite among contractors, and the word continues to spread.

We offer only 100% exclusive, pre-screened, already-scheduled appointments, settling for nothing but the best. As solar specialists, our team of lead generation experts is ready to tackle the challenges of this spring and set you up with all of the consultations you need.

Book Your Pre-Set Solar Appointments at www.GridFreedom.com

California Won’t See a NEM 3.0 Update Until After the Election - Expecting a Drop in Solar Energy Leads

California’s solar industry has been anxiously waiting as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) makes progress on NEM 3.0, an update to the state’s net metering policies. The planned changes have caused significant controversy due to the fact that they would slash compensation rates to a fraction of what solar customers receive under the current NEM 2.0 policy. 

CPUC made revisions to NEM 3.0 after receiving intense criticism from the community. Their latest draft came in May, and an update was planned for release by the end of August. This deadline came and went without any new developments, instead getting pushed again to the end of September. That deadline was then missed as well, leaving many wondering: What’s causing the hold-up?

NEM 3.0 Update Postponed to Avoid Voter Backlash

California’s energy crisis and rising costs are top of mind for voters now. The state’s regulators have grown nervous that releasing a new NEM 3.0 draft will cause heavy sway at the voting booths, angering citizens into voting against those they blame for an unfavorable change to the policy. 

Therefore, it has been decided that the update will not be released until after the election. 

This announcement has stirred up even more criticism, however, with many feeling that a hold is an act that prevents voters from having a fair and transparent understanding of where exactly candidates stand on solar. There are also fears that this move confirms the NEM 3.0 update will still majorly disadvantage solar customers. 

Expecting a Drop in Solar Energy Leads 

The uncertainty surrounding the state’s NEM policy has made many prospective solar customers wary of installing. Without a fair net metering rebate, they question whether or not it even makes financial sense to invest in an installation. 

Contractors may now be looking at even more difficulties in persuading solar leads to buy. The outlook for NEM is not strong, and it’s likely that the new policy is going to be a deterrent for homeowners worried about savings. 

Partnering up with a solar marketing company is advised for contractors who want to prepare for the decline in interest that may be coming. Top agency Grid Freedom has become the go-to source for solar leads that have already qualified as serious, purchase-ready prospects. Their screening process ensures that contractors can focus their efforts on customers who already have high certainty about going solar. 

Connect with CA’s Most Serious Residential Solar Leads at www.GridFreedom.com 

Fed Up: California's Power Crisis is Driving Solar Installation Leads

California just survived an unprecedented heat wave. For a full week, record temperatures were reached throughout the state. Sacramento saw scorching 116° days, and Death Valley topped out at 127°. Even the normally-cool Bay Area sweltered: San Francisco reached 97°, and San Jose baked at 109°. 

These temperatures always cause tension for the residents who have to suffer through them, but utility companies’ calls for power conservation during this period sparked serious discontent. Californians were asked to minimize energy usage at hours when temperatures hit their peak - a request seen as not only inhumane but offensive considering these companies’ underwhelming efforts to improve the state’s energy crisis. 

Californians Can’t Count on Big Energy to Fix the Grid

California’s big utilities may have invested more in infrastructure maintenance and electricity generation, but they’ve pushed hard against opportunities for residents to take power into their own hands. 

As of February 2022, PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E had together funneled $1.7 million toward the Affordable Clean Energy for All coalition, which is behind the push for the pending NEM 3.0 update. These changes are set to seriously reduce the financial benefits of going solar, keeping residents more dependent on grid energy. Though this is at odds with the goal of reducing strain on the state’s energy grid, it’s well in line with the intent to keep profits as high as possible. 

This combined with other lobbying efforts has proven that California’s top utilities hardly see grid sustainability as a priority. Citizens will continue to face ill-timed calls for conservation and the threat of rolling blackouts if they remain reliant on these corporations. 

As they realize this, more homeowners aim to remove themselves from the equation. They want the independence and peace of mind that comes with solar, even in the face of lowering incentives. This attitude is pushing an increase in solar installation leads for contractors. 

Help New Solar Leads Seize Their Power

Disgruntled homeowners are coming into the solar market with major emotional motivation right now. Their anger toward big utilities and frustration with the energy supply has put many in a frame of mind where they want to install solar ASAP.

Contractors can jump on these solar sales leads most effectively by partnering with the right generator. Working with an agency that screens lead fully before delivery ensures that contractors connect with homeowners that are truly serious about solar adoption. 

Grid Freedom is one of the only agencies in the industry that puts all leads through intensive phone screenings with live agents. Our process ends with the scheduling of their first consultation, perfectly preparing highly-suitable leads for the final pitch. We make certain that you’re meeting with homeowners who have demonstrated real enthusiasm and readiness to take action.

Find Solar Installation Leads at www.GridFreedom.com 

NREL Explains What Drives Solar + Storage Adoption

On August 23rd, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) gave a webinar presentation hosted by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The presentation focused on what key factors propel the value of solar plus storage for residential customers and the outlook on adoption in the coming years. 

Solar + Storage Adoption is Based on Variable Value

Conclusions were drawn based on NREL’s extensive research into solar storage in terms of market growth and customer benefits. In a 2020 study, NREL cited that storage deployment is “driven by a combination of capacity and energy value”. The more residential customers can get out of adding storage to their PV systems, the more they will adopt and optimize their storage capacity.

A more recent report found that values are significantly influenced by local utility rate structures. NREL assessed a community in Arizona in which all households were enrolled in an experimental distributed generation (DG) rate program. The DG rate structure was intended to reduce grid demand during peak periods. However, the demand surcharges that resulted canceled out almost all solar + storage customer savings. 

That being said, individual household savings varied across the board, depending on factors such as peak-time usage, total demand, home size, and the size of their PV system. Therefore, certain households stand to gain much more out of solar + storage installations than others. 

NREL also found that storage adoption is heavily dependent on PV pricing. Fortunately, the prices of both PV systems and storage augmentations have shown a continual decline. The cost of solar storage in particular has dipped by almost 10%. 

Forecasting sees tremendous opportunities in store for the residential solar + storage market, especially in new construction. NREL estimates that 0.96 million new homes will be built every year between 2017 and 2030.

Leveraging NREL’s Insights 

Given the factors above, it’s critical that solar contractors make customer education a priority. Those who are affected by demand-based rates should be informed of how this can impact their solar + storage savings. If the customer would benefit from switching their utility rate structure and is free to do so, this should be encouraged. 

Customers who are locked into a demand-based rate structure that invalidates most of the cost incentive may not be the best prospects to pursue. But new construction is fertile territory for new opportunities. Contractors can win these projects by demonstrating to builders that their contribution will avoid delays and will improve a home’s market appeal. Given the extreme prices seen in real estate at the moment, construction companies have a strong concern that building homes with excessively high values can price out otherwise willing buyers. 

Leads for Solar Contractors

Clearly, finding ample solar + storage customers still presents challenges. Contractors can enjoy more success by partnering with a lead generation agency capable of delivering a steady supply of legitimate residential buyers. 

Grid Freedom is a favored firm in this domain. With 100% exclusive leads that have been personally screened for purchase potential and scheduled for their first appointment, Grid Freedom meets the highest standards of quality. Contractors across America return to the agency as a dependable source of customers, even as the solar industry experiences volatility.

Find Residential Solar Leads at www.GridFreedom.com  

Solar Lead Generation Companies Help Florida Contractors Survive the Storm Season

For most solar contractors in the United States, summer is a time of peak activity. Pleasant, dry weather makes it an ideal time to install rooftop systems without interruption. However, in Florida, summer tends to bring a slowdown. 

The subtropical climate creates rather volatile conditions, and all of the resulting storms make it a challenge to maintain a consistent installation schedule. Homeowners are also less willing to consider solar during this period since it often strikes them as a bad idea to install right when their rooftop is about to receive battering. 

Harsh Weather Still in Store for 2022

The chaos of the storm season can cause a lot of trouble for contractors who need to keep sales rolling in. And at this point, it’s only going to ramp up. 

NOAA has predicted that 2022 will have an especially active storm season and that most of this activity is going to come now that we’ve passed the middle of August. Forecasts estimate a total of 14-22 storms before the arrival of November 30th. Of that, NOAA expects that 2022 has 3-6 major hurricanes in store for the Atlantic. So while the majority of the country will be enjoying a placid end to summer, Florida is bracing for a pummeling. 

Solar Lead Partnerships Make Up for Lost Sales

Savvy contractors who want to combat the season’s depressive effect on their sales numbers are reaching out for help. They’re partnering with solar lead generation companies that are able to provide a steady influx of solid sale opportunities.

This resource is not just useful for maximizing the number of installations made through the storm season - it’s also highly effective at making up for the slump after the season has passed. 

Late fall and winter will bring many of Florida’s solar prospects back into the market, and the right lead agency can help contractors zone in on the ones that will pay off. Delivering a more streamlined sale experience to contractors can help them regain their financial footing far more quickly than if they depended on organic generation methods.

Grid Freedom is a Top Source for Florida Solar Leads

Many of Florida’s contractors have already chosen Grid Freedom as their go-to source for residential solar leads. The agency has become one of the preferred companies in the industry, thanks to its delivery of high-ROI leads that have been put through the most rigorous screening process available. 

All Grid Freedom leads are generated in-house and provided to only one contractor, eliminating any concerns about lead-sharing with competitors. The agency employs inbound generation methods, focusing on attracting residents who show an active interest in solar and serious intent to move forward with installation. 

These qualities make Grid Freedom leads the most suitable for contractors who need fast-tracked, dependable sales. Florida’s installers can learn more by visiting the website and signing up for a free membership.

Get Sale-Ready Leads at www.GridFreedom.com 

Maryland Aims to Expand Low-Income Community Solar Incentives

Incentives for community solar have been rapidly growing, especially in America’s Northeast. This includes Maryland, where legislators have finalized two bills supporting community solar. The effort is a part of a recent push to expand the state’s community solar pilot program. Maryland has been working to increase the program’s capacity and widen access to low and middle-income communities. 

Two Bills Boosting Community Solar

HB 1039 and HB 440 are the two bills that have successfully passed. 

HB1039 creates a property tax exemption for community solar projects, applying to both municipal corporate and county taxes. To qualify, projects must supply at least 50% of their generated electricity to low and middle-income families. Moreover, the rate at which this electricity is provided must be at least 20% lower than the base electricity rate such households would normally pay. 

HB 440 increases the maximum capacity of community solar projects. Limits would rise from 2 MW to 5 MW, more than doubling the potential capacity of the state’s sites. The bill also simplifies land requirements for project sites.

The bills have been fully confirmed by Maryland’s General Assembly. They are now being passed to Governor Larry Hogan for the signature that will put this legislation into law. There is currently no estimated date of signing, but Maryland’s solar industry is eagerly awaiting news. 

Growing Maryland’s Solar Energy Leads

Expanding the state’s community solar program is great news for contractors looking for new installation work. But it’s not enough for those who focus on residential solar. Those that are having a difficult time finding all of the rooftop solar customers they need can get support through Grid Freedom. 

Pre-screened, fully exclusive leads are supplied to contractors with no binding contracts or minimums. Grid Freedom’s installer-friendly terms have made it a go-to source for companies that need solar energy leads in Maryland, as well as other states. Membership is free, and contractors can have full assurance knowing each lead is safe from competition. 

Find Exclusive Solar Opportunities at www.GridFreedom.com

Shut Down the Need for Solar Leads to Shop Around

 

After spending a considerable amount of time meeting with a homeowner, you may think you’ve hit all of the hot points in your sales pitch. Money savings, energy independence, improved home value, etc. - so you start to wind down to the big ask. 

When that moment comes, how often do you hear: “I think I need to get another quote first…”?

If you’re like most contractors, it probably happens quite often.

This stall is one of the most common barriers to turning a prospect into a sale. And the worst part is that it’s hard to argue with. Since solar is such a big investment, you can’t deny that homeowners ought to weigh their options well before taking the plunge. But this hanging point can be the point of no return if you don’t respond correctly. Below, we offer some effective methods for salvaging your pitch. 

Identify What They Want to See

Before concluding your meeting, ask them what it is they’re hoping to find in other quotes. Ask them to list what their top priorities will be when they’re evaluating. 

Getting the customer to identify these points is important because, in a lot of cases, they don’t really know the answer. Saying they want to get other quotes can be a reflexive response that simply comes from general uncertainty, not an actual interest in going through the same process with other contractors. 

Guiding the conversation in this direction will do two things: 1. It will help the customer form a more sensible plan for how to judge contractor bids. 2. It will likely make them realize that your bid already has everything they’re looking for. 

Cite Past Customer Decisions

The main incentive to get another quote is to see if a better deal is out there. You can clear up the mystery by informing homeowners that many other past customers who went looking eventually came back to your offer. They found that your company was truly the best team for the job, offering the best value for money.

Of course, this should be done with tact and without pressure. It’s not a rebuttal, but instead, just a small seed planted in their mind before they explore what’s out there. Invite them to circle back after a few weeks and see what they found. Even better, offer to help them review other bids if they need help making sense of the details. 

Your confidence, openness, and support will go a long way toward making them feel that you are a dependable and trustworthy authority. This is the type of security a customer needs to get that good “gut feeling” about moving forward with you. 

Minimize the Threat of Competition with Exclusive Solar Leads

While using the techniques outlined above will certainly help keep your customers from seeking out other contractors, the best way is to start from leads that have been isolated from other proposals all along. 

When you limit your sourcing to only exclusive solar leads - those that haven’t been shared with other contractors - you’ll begin the customer relationship with greater control and ease of communication. 

Avoid the urgency that comes from other contractors zoning in. Give your clients a pressure-free experience that allows them to feel comfortable about your team and your product. Lead exclusivity creates the best environment for making a sale that the homeowner feels happy and confident about.  

Grid Freedom specializes in supplying contractors with their own exclusive leads. Once we’ve delivered one of our pre-screened, top-quality leads, it’s never shared again. We preserve the unique connection you have with the homeowner so that you can focus on building rapport and supplying the information they need. All leads are offered with no contracts or purchase minimums necessary, keeping risk out of the equation. 

Find Zero-Competition Leads at www.GridFreedom.com

Does Your Winter Sale Strategy Focus on Exclusive Solar Leads?

Winter is a tough time for those of us working in the residential solar industry. Homeowners have plenty of reasons to put off going solar until next spring or summer: unfriendly weather, holiday expenses, too little time. With all of these factors at play, contractors can experience quite a drought in solar panel sales. 

That’s why forming a smart winter strategy is so critical for staying afloat. With the right marketing tactics and focus, you can get the highest possible number of sales through the season’s freeze. 

In this post, we examine why concentrating your efforts on exclusive solar leads is one of the most effective strategies for maintaining a stable winter income. 

Exclusive Leads Cut Out Competition

One of the biggest losses of customers comes from competition. Other contractors are also feeling the winter pinch, so they’re pursuing the same leads with fervor. They’ll undercut prices and offer deals that you may just not be able to compete with.

Worse yet, when homeowners experience pestering from multiple contractors, they’re likely to fatigue fast. They can get so stressed by the countless phone calls and messages that they decide to back out of going solar altogether. 

These effects make it clear why focusing on exclusive leads will give the best rate of success. When you don’t have to worry about other contractors swiping customers from under you or annoying them into resistance, you’re free to build a trusting relationship that helps homeowners feel good about making a deal. You won’t have to quote unsustainable prices, and you can pitch without pressure. 

Leads From the Right Agency are Prepped for Sales

The best winter marketing strategy goes beyond simply finding exclusive leads. It also works to ensure that those leads are primed for talks with your sales reps before you even make contact. This can be done by working with a lead generation agency that personally screens exclusive leads and schedules consultations for the ones that make the cut. 

Companies like Grid Freedom reach out to leads via live phone calls, determining the lead’s qualifications and laying the groundwork for an eventual sale. The result is a wealth of leads that are not just competition-free, but also guided further into the sales process and prepared for the next step. 

Get Appointments with Exclusive Solar Leads at www.Gridfreedom.com 

How the New Rollout of SolarAPP+ Will Change Installation Projects

The U.S. Department of Energy recently rolled out its Solar Automated Permit Processing (SolarAPP+) tool, a platform that allows municipalities to expedite approvals of residential solar installations. 

More than 125 communities have already adopted SolarAPP+ for their permitting, and the DOE has set a goal to enroll 60 additional cities by March of 2022. These efforts are in-step with the national effort to achieve 100% clean electric power by 2035. 

So how will this rollout affect how contractors get through the permitting process? When the software becomes available in your area, what can you expect to change?

Standardizing the Review Process

SolarAPP+ is streamlining permit reviews by making them all conform to a simplified and standardized process. It automatically runs compliance checks, ensuring that system designs are safe and up to code. 

The current codes used by the system are the 2017 National Fire Protection Association 70 National Electrical Code (NEC) for rooftop PV permits, 2018 I-Codes (International Residential Code, and International Building Code) for rooftop PV permits, and CA Title 24 Modifications. The system’s review includes inspection checklists and supports state and local license verification. 

Updates to the system’s code library and functions are pending. The app will be expanded to support permits for residential main panel upgrades, reroofing, new home construction for rooftop PV and residential storage, solar thermal, multifamily PV storage, and residential EV charging.

Enhancing Speed and Capacity

SolarAPP+ speeds up approvals so that municipalities can process 5-14x the volume of permit applications. Compliant “cookie-cutter” systems will get automatic approval, allowing contractors to kick off projects right away. More complex projects will still be sped through the review process thanks to automatic checks and returns for corrections. 

With long waits for permit approvals no longer an issue, solar contractors will be able to fit more installations into their monthly calendars. This creates a great opportunity for growth, as contractors can scale up with increased sales.

 

Enjoy More Solar Sales Leads

A faster, less complicated permitting process will only make solar more appealing to residential customers, resulting in more customer conversions overall. But contractors can also bump up their sales by directly sourcing solar sales leads that have been verified as ready buyers. 

Grid Freedom supplies sale-ready leads to contractors at affordable rates. All leads come with their consultation already scheduled, ensuring that no extra nurturing is necessary to secure a meeting.

Get Customer Appointments at www.GridFreedom.com