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 

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 

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.

Sign Up Free to Access Full-Service Solar Panel Lead Generation

Get Instant Business Buying Residential Solar Leads

When your business has hit a slow period, there’s not much time before cash flow can become a problem. You need to secure new leads fast, but using the standard marketing methods may not get you, customers, in the short time needed. 

For this reason, many solar contractors in your shoes go straight to buying residential solar leads. Instead of risking a lengthy period during which marketing yields no solid prospects, they ensure that they get concrete opportunities before finances are at risk. 

In this post, we review why buying solar leads creates a fast track to sales, giving you instant business the moment they’re acquired. 

Skip the Lead Generation Process

The first way that buying leads shaves time off the sales journey is by allowing you to skip the solar lead generation process entirely. Absolutely no marketing work is required from your team since the lead has already been produced by a third-party agency. That effort is absorbed by their staff completely, freeing up your people to focus on actually making sales. 

Qualified Leads Eliminate Need for Screening

When you make sure to buy high-quality leads, you cut the risk of leads fizzling out. Agencies that meet the highest standards of lead integrity put them through an intensive screening process before they ever reach your hands. 

That means that you not only get the security of pursuing solar leads already verified as dependable, but you can check off screening from your list of pre-sale duties. 

Pre-Set Appointments = No Nurturing Required

Depending on which agency you choose to source from, even the final step of lead preparation can be taken care of for you. The best agencies only deliver leads who have already been scheduled for their first consultation appointment with you, the purchasing contractor. 

Your team won’t have to convince a customer to agree to a meeting, and there won’t be any need for coordinating what date works for them. All of that is already settled, leaving only the matter of making your pitch and closing the sale. 

Grid Freedom Connects You with Ready Customers

Purchasing your leads from Grid Freedom gives you a direct path to the moment of sale with serious, pre-screened homeowners. Our process eliminates all but the most eligible and enthusiastic customers, passing them on to you only after they’ve been secured for their first consultation. 

You can skip all of the preliminary work required in traditional lead production, saving you valuable time when you need to land sales quickly. Our agency has become the go-to source for leads that provide instant value and ROI. 

Get Your Immediate Customer Appointments at www.GridFreedom.com   

This Year's Key Motivators for Solar Leads

Now that we’re gearing up for the solar high season, it’s important to know what’s motivating customers in 2022. The recent circumstances of the economy and local climates have been shaping the mindset of those interested in solar, and it’s been showing in the market’s trends. 

If you want to close more sales this spring and summer, you’ll want to make sure you tailor your marketing toward the top priorities of today’s homeowners. We review these key drives below. 

Coping with the Ever-Rising Cost of Living

It’s painfully obvious that this year has seen a sharp increase in the cost of living throughout the United States. The inflation rate hit a staggering 7.9% in February, the highest it’s been in 40 years. Nationwide rent prices have increased about 20-25% from the previous year, while home prices are estimated to spike over 16% before this year’s end. Even utilities have gone up, with natural gas rising by 24%, and electricity by 9%. 

These price hikes are putting a serious burden on the American household. Families are seeing more and more of their budget going toward the basic necessities, leaving little room for savings, let alone spending that improves their quality of life. 

Residents who are feeling this pinch are looking for ways to cut down their living expenses. These customers are naturally drawn to solar because they stand to save a significant amount on their monthly energy bills. Having an installation could help them achieve some budgetary breathing room. 

Electric Vehicle Adoption

The extreme jump in gas prices is also pushing Americans to find some form of relief. Those that want to cut their dependence on oil are looking to convert to electric vehicles. However, this option is only really viable if they have the ability to affordably charge their EV at home. While some may have access to charging stations nearby, those that don’t live in highly developed areas will need to depend on on-at-home charging. 

EVs require a significant amount of electricity to charge, which can be too much of a burden for homeowners who are already struggling to cover their high utility bills. Solar is becoming an especially attractive option for this growing group since it can easily cover their charging needs. 

Grid Independence in the Face of Extreme Weather

The past few years have seen a number of power disasters result from extreme weather events. Not wanting to endure the instability of grid power again, homeowners who live in vulnerable climates are overwhelmingly seeking out solar. 

Recent research collected by Solar Reviews has found that the latest weather disasters sparked major interest in solar. California’s harrowing wildfire season saw a 358% increase in solar quote requests, while the 2021 Texas blizzard saw a rise of 850%. When the Pacific Northwest endured its deadly heatwave, there was a 919% jump. 

In all of these scenarios, thousands of homeowners were affected by ongoing power outages that left their families exposed. Texas residents found their experience especially violating self-sufficiency since the state’s lack of market regulations resulted in many being forced to pay exorbitant rates based on demand. 

These homeowners want the security of self-sufficiency. They no longer trust utilities to keep the lights on or to be fair about how they do it.

Improve Your Chances with Exclusive Solar Leads

Addressing these key motives among homeowners will give you an advantage as you strive for more sales. But if you want to give yourself an extra boost, try focusing on exclusive solar leads.

Already pre-screened and booked for their first appointment with you, exclusive leads from Grid Freedom cut out all worry over the competition. You can count on these customers not being shared with any other contractors, giving you a smooth path toward landing a sale. 

Our agency specializes in delivering leads of the highest quality, with optimal profits and closing timelines. We go the extra mile to thoroughly vet our leads and ensure they offer promising opportunities. 

Get One on One with Customers at www.GridFreedom.com  

Why More Solar Panel Leads are Coming to Mississippi?

Mississippi’s solar market has been growing at a steady rate, helped by the greenlighting of utility-scale projects and incentivizing policies. Now, the residential sector is getting a further boost thanks to an update to the state’s net metering program.

So just how dramatically will the new changes impact solar customers? Will we see more solar panel leads sprout from a rise in demand?

What’s New for Mississippi’s Net Metering

While the base net metering rate hasn’t changed (remaining at 2.5 cents/kWh), the program has been expanded to provide more accessibility to low/middle income (LMI) households. Now, there’s no cap on the amount of LMI customers who are eligible for an extra 2 cents/kWh in compensation. To qualify as LMI customers, households must meet or fall below 250% of the federal poverty line.

Added to the program is a new $3,000 rebate that will be issued upon purchase of solar residential systems ranging from 3-6 kW.

Systems for commercial facilities and community applications will be subject to a different set of rules that are still in development. However, this is a high priority for the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC), which aims to stimulate the community solar market in particular.

Solar Will Become Far More Affordable for Mississippi Homeowners.

It’s been well established that Mississippi households are among some of the most energy-burdened in America. The average electricity bill in the region is $138, second only to the Pacific states.

Mississippi’s low electricity rates are offset by lower incomes, less energy-efficient homes, and a climate in which air conditioning is a must. Low-income electricity usage is higher than the national average, putting vulnerable households in a position where they are paying 12-14% of their total income just for power. Even those who have more wealth still experience undue strain when it comes time to pay their utilities.

As such, the expanded net metering and the upfront cash rebate can go a long way toward helping Mississippi's residents secure more affordable energy. Contractors will likely be seeing far more solar panel leads arise as homeowners find it easier to make the investment. 

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) confirmed this positive forecast in its official statement responding to the program update:

“We commend the Mississippi Public Service Commission for updating its net metering rules and expanding solar access in Mississippi. The net metering program now covers Mississippi households that are 250% of the federal poverty line and below, which will help even more Mississippians experience the cost-saving benefits of solar energy.

While we are disappointed that the Public Service Commission did not offer the full retail rate for net metering, the order will move Mississippi’s solar policy forward, and SEIA will continue to advocate for straightforward and smart policies that grow the solar industry. As we’ve seen in Arkansas, easy-to-understand net metering programs can encourage rooftop solar adoption and provide benefits to all ratepayers.”

Make the Most of Mississippi’s Solar Lead Bump

Contractors who want to secure their fair share of the new influx of customers can do so by partnering with Grid Freedom. Our agency supplies exclusive, pre-screened solar panel leads on an as-needed basis for contractors throughout the United States. Leads are delivered ready to meet, with buyer qualifications verified and consultation appointments already scheduled.

Get More Solar Panel Leads at www.GridFreedom.com

Is Your Solar Marketing Company Attuned to the Current Market

Between government stimulus and vaccination ramp-ups, there’s hope in sight for the American economy. But it still remains that many of the people who would usually be solar customers are struggling. If you’re working with a solar marketing company to drum up new leads, you’ll only have success if that company understands the current market conditions and has made sure their methods are still effective in these troubling times. 

Unfortunately, the vast majority of solar lead agencies haven’t adapted their lead generation strategy, which in many cases, wasn’t strong to begin with. This post gives a quick overview of the major pitfalls common among marketing companies, and why you should look for an agency that does better.

Cold Approaches are Falling Flat

It’s no secret that contacting leads cold has always been hit-or-miss. But now, the success rate is lower than ever. A far greater portion of the populace is unable to afford going solar, and the general uncertainty has made many households postpone the thought of making any big investments. 

Agencies that are able to get a high number of viable leads right now are the ones that put their focus on identifying homeowners that are genuinely interested in solar and actively contemplating a purchase. They will use inbound marketing, a strategy that focuses on attracting leads who are seeking out information about going solar.

Minimal Screening Lets Duds Pass

Slacking off on screening means that contractors end up eating the cost of leads that were never actually viable. Far too many agencies get their leads in, only to limit their screening to only the verification of contact information and current address. They don’t take the time to actually determine the lead’s readiness and ability to buy. 

With far fewer homeowners actually in a position to purchase solar, this means that many unfit leads slip through the agency’s system and are put up for sale to contractors, even when a bit of investigation would reveal that they aren’t worth paying for. An ideal solar marketing company will make sure to have staff vet leads via personal phone calls where they assess lead quality through human conversation.

Shared Leads are Swarmed by Competition

It’s not uncommon for budget lead companies to sell shared leads - leads that are bought by more than one contractor. This arrangement already presents problems in normal circumstances, but now, when contractors are already competing over a staggeringly low number of leads, it becomes even more ineffective. 

Contractors are in a position where they need to spend their marketing dollars wisely. Investing them in leads that they need to compete over is far too risky. Instead, contractors can get the highest ROI by purchasing only from agencies that sell their leads on an exclusive basis.

Grid Freedom Delivers Top Leads Even in Today’s Tough Market

If you’re looking for a trustworthy solar marketing company that has a market-tested process, consider Grid Freedom. We avoid all of the unsuccessful tactics listed above, using only methods that get results - even when times are tough.

Get Sale-Ready Leads at www.Gridfreedom.com

New York has Been Surging with Solar Developments in Q1 2020

By the end of 2019, the state of New York had achieved a solar capacity of 2 gigawatts. And the state is on track to up that number significantly in 2020. The first quarter alone has seen many solar project completions and announcements.

All of this activity has been in an effort to meet New York’s goal of having a 6 gigawatt capacity by 2025, and having 70% of its electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. 

 

Bogart Solar Brings Community Solar to Greene County

The Bogart Solar project became operational in early February. Totaling 3 megawatts, the community solar build is allowing the people of Catskill to enjoy the benefits of solar energy, even if they can't get solar installations themselves.

Catskill’s new installation is capable of powering more than 300 homes in a single year. The project was made possible by Generate and Cypress Creek Renewables.

 

Solstice Opens 2 New Community Solar Farms

Early March saw the finalization of two big community solar projects led by Solstice. Located in Orange and Ulster counties, the two installations are ready to power as many as 800 homes throughout the neighboring regions. That’s about 6 megawatts total.

The farms should help local residents see a 10% reduction on their utility bills. 

 

Upstate NY Will See 17 New Solar Projects

By 2024, the upstate region will have 17 new solar projects fully operational. Governor Cuomo announced in mid-March that there would be projects kicked off in multiple regions: a 19.99 megawatt build in Greenwich, a 200 megawatt facility in Conquest, and many more.

It’s predicted that all of these new facilities will produce more than 2.5 million megawatts per year. That will be sufficient to power over 350,000 homes. 

 

If You Want to Ride the Solar Surge, You’ll Need Great Leads to Make it Happen

New York has built a lot of momentum in its solar developments. If you want to ride the wave of growing solar interest, you will need access to serious leads. Grid Freedom can help you connect with leads that have been personally verified as promising solar buyers. 

 

Learn More About Upgrading Your Leads at www.Gridfreedom.com