Convincing Retirees that Solar is a Smart Investment

 

Retirees are a huge portion of the homeowner population. Baby Boomers account for 42% of homeowners nationwide, and for many members of the generation, the pandemic pushed them into early retirement. 

Given the prevalence of retirees among homeowners, it’s important that contractors consider how effective their marketing methods are in appealing to this demographic. In this post, we review some of the common trends you’ll see among retirees, and evaluate how they can be leveraged in your sales pitch. 

Use Financial Strategy to Alleviate Affordability Concerns

With only their savings, pension, and/or social security to rely on for funding the rest of their lives, retirees can feel uneasy about making a big purchase like solar. As a contractor, you’ll need to walk them through the financial moves that can help them afford it and maximize their returns. 

Government incentives and traditional financing may not be enough for these buyers. Zero-down loans will be far more helpful, than even those that offer zero-payment, deferred-interest periods. 

Talk About Home Value Boosts 

Whether retirees aim to sell their home, or they’re planning on making it a part of their estate, the boost solar will give to their home’s value is a key point to discuss. Retirees may be a lot more amenable to solar if they have the assurance they can recoup their investment when they put their homes on the market. 

Many will also see solar as a wealth-building investment for the inheritance they pass on to their loved ones. Their home will only appreciate in value as solar becomes more of an essential item for real estate buyers. 

Speak to the Desire for an Elevated Lifestyle

It’s also interesting to note that many entering retirements actually look to upgrade their homes. While a large portion of retirees tend to downsize, about 22% express an intention to move up. This is motivated by a desire to finally live the lifestyle they’ve always wanted, in the type of home they’ve always dreamed of. 

These retirees want ample space, in a home that has no shortage of luxuries. They want to finally have a home that has all the bells and whistles. For these customers, adding a sleek new solar installation can be quite a draw. 

Though this particular subset of retirees will be less concerned about budgetary constraints, they will still find appeal in lowering their energy bills. This type of buyer will also find great satisfaction in the self-sufficiency solar systems provide them. 

Empower Your Solar Panel Lead Generation

Converting retirees into enthusiastic solar buyers is made a lot easier by leveraging the points above. But by and far, the quickest path to purchase comes when your leads have already been hand-selected for their viability. 

Here at Grid Freedom, we specialize in attracting and pre-screening leads, and helping contractors find customers worth pursuing. All of our leads are supplied with their first appointment already scheduled, leaving you fully prepped for the sale. 

The reliable ROI of our leads has made Grid Freedom one of the most trusted agencies in the country. Join free to see the caliber of leads you can acquire on a regular basis. 

Get Meetings with Homeowners at www.GridFreedom.com

Making Up for Project Losses with a Solar Marketing Company

 

Despite the immense growth of the sector as a whole, many individual contractors have reported some serious hardships in the past few years. Sales dropped for numerous companies, either through rough patches or the entirety of the recent timeline. 

In response, more and more contractors are seeking outside help. Turning to a solar marketing company has emerged as a top strategy for rebounding. 

If you’ve found yourself in these same shoes, you’ll find that working with the right agency can more than makeup for the losses you’ve experienced. Below, we discuss the topic in further detail, from the causes of recent sales struggles to the necessary qualities of a successful agency partnership. 

What’s Been Keeping Contractors Down?

The answer to this question is varied and complex. It’s no secret that the pandemic wrought havoc on the global economy, stalling production and delaying shipments for extended periods of time. The construction industry is still suffering the blow to material supplies, which has, in turn, halted much of the new construction and renovation that solar contractors rely on for new business. 

Add to that the fact that job losses and inflation have seriously cut the budgets of would-be buyers, and it’s clear why there’s such a scarcity of residential solar opportunities. 

But the problem had roots before the pandemic even hit. The Trump administration enacted tariffs that raised the prices of many foreign solar product imports. Controversy over foreign manufacturing is still causing trouble today, with the U.S. Department of Commerce announcing an investigation of tariff circumvention by solar manufacturers. 

Surveys have found that within just one week of this announcement, hundreds of solar contractors have reported an extreme impact on their finances. Around 200 companies claimed that they have had solar panel deliveries delayed or outright canceled in response. Pivoting to domestic sources won’t be much of a solution either, as American manufacturers are stating that their own production abilities are being significantly hindered due to the use of Chinese components. 

It seems that from all sides, contractors are experiencing a serious squeeze. Whether from the domains of supply or demand, hard pressures are creating obstacles to making consistent sales.

How Solar Agencies Help

Working with a proven solar marketing company can give contractors quickly, secure access to customers who are actually ready and able to buy. 

Companies that can deliver quality leads adhere to the industry’s top standards for solar lead generation, using attraction-based marketing and implementing targeted screening that accurately assesses a homeowner’s suitability. Once the most promising leads are selected for sale, their viability should be maximized via complete exclusivity  - meaning that after the lead is sold to one contractor, it’s never sold again. 

This may seem like a basic expectation for paid leads, but sadly, a vast number of agencies do not offer exclusivity. They will sell leads that are being accessed by multiple contractors, tanking the likelihood of anyone closing.

Agencies that stick to the right principles are few and far between. But Grid Freedom has quickly become well-known for its dedication to policies that put contractors first. All leads sold by Grid Freedom are 100% exclusive and already qualified via a live screening procedure that ends with the scheduling of the first appointment. 

This system fast-tracks sales for contractors, allowing them to quickly make up for lost numbers. When you purchase leads from Grid Freedom, you are able to source as many (or as few) as you need, giving you the flexibility to adapt to your organic sales performance. 

Get Top Prospects from a Trusted Solar Marketing Company

Visit www.GridFreedom.com

Why There's Hope for More Solar Installation Leads in Spring 2021

After a hard 2020, it may be difficult to see things getting better anytime soon. However, solar contractors can expect business to start picking back up this spring, thanks to a few recent changes. Let’s take a look at the biggest developments that can be expected to create more solar installation leads.

Coronavirus Vaccinations

By January 15th, 12,279,180 Americans had received the COVID vaccine. The vaccine program is being rolled out in stages, with at-risk groups and essential workers being among the first to get access. It is expected that the general population will be able to get vaccinated sometime in the middle of spring. 

The gradually-increasing immunity of the country’s population will bode well for solar contractors, as lockdown restrictions will ease, allowing recovery of employment rates and overall economic health for U.S. households. People will be increasingly open to considering solar installations as infection risks lower and financial stability is regained.

The Solar ITC was Renewed

The latest coronavirus stimulus package issued by the federal government included terms that extended the Solar ITC. Instead of the percentage lowering as was scheduled, the 26% credit will be stretched through another 2 years.

 

This means that homeowners who would have been priced out by the previously-planned drop will still be able to afford an installation. Solar contractors can use the recent renewal to remind homeowners that the 26% rate won’t be available forever. Combining the ITC with one of the recently-launched financing programs like PowerSwitch ZERO gives homeowners an affordable opportunity to go solar, even with the pandemic’s pressures still in play.Biden’s Climate Plan

President Joe Biden is introducing the largest climate plan in the nation’s history. It will include significant funding for solar programs that spur innovation research and promote the widespread adoption of solar. We can also expect to see moves that improve trade terms, making solar equipment more affordable to source - and therefore more affordable for the end buyer. 

Biden’s heavy focus on clean energy promotion paired with solar-friendly policies are likely to help solar in its recovery, giving it much-needed momentum after a difficult year. 

Lead Opportunities will Grow in Spring

Though challenges persist, spring is poised to bring more customers back into the market. The timing of the changes cited here makes it so that we will see the first effects during the season. 

If you’re looking to take advantage of these dynamics, you can do it the easy way by getting leads delivered to you via Grid Freedom. Our agency does all of the legwork to source the best leads available, sparing your staff the work of marketing, screening, and scheduling consultations. We’ll give you spring’s most profitable leads without any effort required on your part.

Get the Solar Installation Leads You Need at www.Gridfreedom.com

How Solar Installers can Make the Most of Summer's Solar Surge

As the sun shines bright for the summer, more people will start thinking of going solar. With the sun beating down on their house and daylight hours becoming longer and longer, it becomes easier for many homeowners to understand that there’s an opportunity to seize when it comes to solar.

This season also creates a great opportunity for solar installers. With more people inquiring about solar installations in the summer, this is the best time for acquiring more customers. The problem is, many solar installers don’t have the sufficient time, staff, or budget to devote to marketing campaigns big enough to draw in as many homeowners as they would like.

Where to Find Summer Leads for Solar Installers

Lacking the resources for marketing doesn’t mean you have to miss out on summer’s surge of solar buyers. The solution is simply to outsource the lead-generating and qualifying process, leaving you only with the task of sitting down with interested homeowners and making the sale.

The best way to accomplish this is by purchasing qualified leads for solar installers from a reputable agency. For example, here at Grid Freedom, solar contractors can buy exclusive, high-quality leads that have been fully vetted to create the best sales opportunity possible.

Summer “Deal-Sealers” to Use with Homeowners

This gives installers like you the ability to get the best value, only paying for leads that can truly be lucrative. All you have to is meet the lead at their home and start talking business.

When talking with interested homeowners in the summer, you have a few unique selling points that you can highlight to drive home the sale. These benefits are particularly relevant for the season, so don’t neglect to use them.

• Solar Helps Compensate for Cooling Costs

Summer almost always creates a spike in energy costs because of extra cooling needs. The energy generated by new solar panels can go straight toward powering a homeowner’s air conditioning systems. Or, in cases where the generated energy will be sent back to the power grid, homeowners can receive energy bill credits that cancel out some or even all of the costs.

• The Greatest Savings can be Gotten Now

By installing solar panels in the summer, homeowners can take advantage of the season when the panels will operate at peak capacity. This translates into the best energy-generating period of the year. Come fall, the days will become shorter and the light will dim. If homeowners put off installation until later seasons, they’ll miss out on big savings. 

If you’d like help taking advantage of this summer’s spike in solar interest, get in touch with us today. We’ll show you how to connect with homeowners who are truly ready to buy this season.