Everything You Need to Know About May’s RE+ Southeast Clean Energy Conference

If you’re a solar contractor in the southeastern U.S., you won’t want to miss May’s RE+ Southeast Conference. This major networking event will take place May 16th-18th, giving pros a chance to grow regional business opportunities while learning about important developments affecting the market. Below, we highlight some of the key workshops and presentations on the agenda. 

What’s On the Schedule?

The entire schedule for RE+ Southeast can be found here. A variety of workshops, presentations, panel discussions, and networking sessions are planned. Here are the most noteworthy of each day. 

May 16th 

Solar 101 Workshop 

One day prior to the official conference kickoff, SEIA will be hosting a workshop that provides a complete overview of the region’s solar landscape, arming you with the information you need to make the most of everything covered at RE+S. 

May 17th

IRA – The Renewable Energy and Economic Development Boom: Forecasts and Predictions

A discussion of the beneficial impacts anticipated from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), spanning from clean energy deployment, manufacturing developments, and electrification.  Experts assess how states are responding, and how IRA funding can be used. 

State Briefings

A number of briefings will be held, dedicated to several states in the region: Arkansas, the Carolinas, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennesse, Virginia, and the Gulf states (Alabama, Louisiana & Mississippi). These briefings will review the current market conditions for each state and evaluate the issues they’re faced with. 

Adapting to Climate Change: Strengthening the Southeast through Resilience

Strengthening the Southeast’s power grid is discussed in the context of the region’s severe weather events. Policy and technical solutions are discussed, including wider market reform and mass deployment of renewable energy infrastructure. 

Quick Talk: New Approaches for Clean Energy Workforce Development

Reviewing the need for collaboration between government entities and contractors in growing the clean energy workforce. Training, certification, and incentive programs are highlighted, as well as strategies for sourcing IRA funding. Experts analyze how these efforts actually reduce costs for solar contractors. 

May 18th

Carbon Reduction in the Carolinas

Panelists outline how the industry can meet the goals set by House Bill 951, which requires reducing carbon emissions levels by 70% (from 2005 levels) by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Also discussed are Duke Energy’s newly proposed programs working toward 100% clean energy.

Third-Party Ownership – Does it Make Sense in the Southeast?

Industry leaders share their thoughts on the viability of solar lease or power purchase agreements (TPO) as an alternative to traditional solar financing. Pros and cons, regulations, and opportunities are all covered topics. 

The Evolving Rooftop Solar Landscape

Net metering developments in Georgia, North Carolina, and Arkansas are reviewed, as well as the wider debate on customer compensation for solar generation. Issues are considered in the context of both power grid demands and state net-zero goals. 

How to Attend RE+ Southeast

If you wish to attend RE+, submit your registration here. Early bird registration and exhibitor signup has closed, but standard admission is open until May 15th. 

The event takes place in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center: 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313.

Will RE+ Southeast Help Me Find More Solar Appointments?

Much of the information offered at RE+ will be useful in understanding regional customer demands and challenges. With the insights gleaned at the conference, you’ll also be able to effectively leverage resources that can potentially drive up your total sales numbers. 

But if you’re looking for a direct path to generating more leads, it’s best to seek the help of a trusted solar marketing agency. Grid freedom is known as a top provider of qualified solar appointments, allowing contractors to focus only on leads who have already committed to meeting. 

All leads are screened and signed up for exclusive solar appointments, meaning that you are the only contractor who they’ll be put in touch with. This reduces threat of competition and allows you to make a deal without putting undue pressure on the homeowner. Enjoy higher closing rates and see your lead generation budget achieve excellent ROI. Signup is free, and no extra fees or contracts are required. 

Book Meetings with Qualified, Exclusive Solar Buyers at www.GridFreedom.com

How Will Georgia's Net Metering Cut Impact the Solar Market?

 

Back in 2020, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) created a pilot program enabling 5,000 residential solar customers to sign up for energy buy-backs. Though this program is not technically considered net metering, it is similar enough to be treated as such by the solar industry. 

There was much anticipation toward the end of 2022 that the PSC would choose to expand this program, giving more of Georgia Power's 2.4 million+ utility customers the opportunity to receive compensation for their excess solar energy generation. However, the PSC declined to broaden the program, instead making changes that would negatively affect the small group of customers enrolled. 

New Changes Decrease Savings

Not only did the PSC say no to program growth, but they have also imposed a new $100 interconnection fee. This is actually an improvement on the fee Georgia Power had originally proposed, which was $200. Additionally, the PSC has announced a rise in rates charged to all electricity customers. This increase is forecasted to be as high as 12% in just three years’ time. 

Under the program’s new rules, Georgia Power is supposed to pay 6.68 cents per kWh to solar owners, but only after they have paid the full retail rate for the electricity they’ve consumed. This is quite a difference from the original arrangement, where the compensation was automatically subtracted from the customers’ monthly bills. Now, they must pay upfront before seeing any returns - which will only be diminished.

Is Hope on the Horizon?

The Georgia Homegrown Solar Act of 2023 (SB 210) was just introduced by Senators Jason Anavitarte, Randy Robertson, Chuck Hufstetler, Sonya Halpern, and Ed Setzler. This bill would raise the program cap from 0.2% of annual peak demand to 5%, increasing the number of homeowners who could enroll. The system size cap would be raised from 10 kW to 15 kW, and a 20-year grandfathering right would be extended to customers who adopt a net metering agreement. 

Finally, the bill calls for all fees imposed on solar customers to “be just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory”, “be based on the actual cost of providing the service for which the fee is imposed”, and “apply to other customers in the same customer class, including customers that are not customer-generators”.

Should this bill be successfully passed, Georgia’s power market would be far friendlier toward residential rooftop solar owners. Other provisions in the bill lower the potential for customer exploitation, and even widen opportunities for community solar. However, the bill still has a long way to go. The next step of the approval process will take place when the bill is presented to the Georgia Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

In Summary: Georgia’s Contractors May See Fewer Solar Appointments This Year

Without the opportunity to sign up for net metering compensation, fewer homeowners are going to be sold on the investment value of solar. Electricity price hikes will continue to be a driver of demand, but as long as anti-solar policies continue to hold, contractors will face more obstacles in persuading customers. 

Fortunately, there’s help for meeting homeowners who are already convinced. Grid Freedom provides contractors qualified solar appointments with residents that have passed live screening for the best sale prospects. Find ready-to-meet customers in Georgia and the rest of the nation, with no marketing or lead nurturing needed. 

Sign Up for Qualified Solar Appointments at www.GridFreedom.com

The Best Way to Get Solar Leads Now That California’s Boom Has Ended

California has long been America’s biggest solar market, providing the lionshare of installations and driving past surges in demand. However, that’s all about to change. The rollout of NEM 3.0 puts the Golden Era to a stop on April 15th.

Why are California’s Contractors Expecting a Slowdown?

California’s solar customers have long enjoyed net metering benefits that made rooftop systems a strong investment with quick returns. But after the CPUC officially approved the new NEM 3.0 program, those subsidies have been marked for the chopping block. 

As of now, any customers who complete and submit interconnection applications to their utilities will be subject to the new NEM 3.0 terms, which will slash compensation rates by about 75%. This severe cut will slow down the payback time for solar, turning what was once a 5-6 year period into one as long as 10 years. 

Forecasters are expecting NEM 3.0 to cause a 3% market contraction next year, with California installations diminishing by 38%. These projections are causing a state of panic throughout the industry, causing many to pressure the CPUC to pause the program’s kickoff. But so far, there’s no sign of stalling. 

How Can Contractors Source High-Quality Solar Leads Now?

The changing landscape of California’s solar market will require contractors to be more resourceful in how they generate their leads. The new focus should be on finding leads that have already proven their commitment to going solar, allowing installers to avoid investing too much time in customers who are likely to be scared off by the new NEM rates. 

Working with the right solar marketing agency makes all the difference in finding these high-security leads. Countless California contractors have chosen Grid Freedom as their most trusted source of steady customers, relying on the agency’s thorough screening process to yield only the most promising opportunities. 

All Grid Freedom leads are fully qualified and confirmed for their first consultation appointment. Their interest and readiness has already been verified by a live agent, who has discussed their plans and goals with them in detail. This gives installers the best possible preparation for making a sale, especially in a market where customer hesitance will be at its highest. 

Every lead is offered under fully exclusive terms, with no contracts, purchase minimums, or extra fees. Contractors can simply order the number of leads they need at any time, and come back whenever their organic leads are running low again. It’s the perfect backup in a time of unstable demand.

Find a Steady Supply of Confirmed Solar Sales Leads at www.GridFreedom.com

What Minnesota's Clean Energy Bill Means for Solar Contractors

 

Last month, Minnesota’s Governor Walz signed a new bill that sets a goal of 100% clean energy production. This development is poised to stimulate a great deal of growth in the state’s solar market for nearly the next two decades. So what can installers expect to come?

How Minnesota’s 100% Clean Energy Bill will Impact Solar Demand

The new push for carbon-free electricity is targeting the utility sector, setting the following milestone goals:

 

●       By 2030: 80% for public utilities and 60% for other utilities

●       By 2035: 90% for all utilities

●       By 2040: 100% for all utilities

 

These targets have been set with the interests of all parties in mind, aiming to provide clean and affordable energy to citizens as quickly as possible, while allowing sufficient time for utilities to plan an efficient and responsible transition.

Many new jobs are expected to come to the energy sector, specifically in communities where carbon-based plants are being decommissioned. Solar is expected to make up a significant part of new additions to the energy grid, creating numerous opportunities for contractors working in utility installations. Of course, planning has only just begun, but solar installers can expect to see a steady increase in demand.

Top Solar Lead Companies can Help Drive Sales Among Minnesota’s Residential Customers

While the new bill is set to boost utility-scale solar directly, it does not include any new incentives for residential solar. Minnesota homeowners do, however, still have access to the Solar Sense program, as well as net metering compensation and tax benefits.

That being said, solar contractors may want to seek the aid of a solar marketing agency if they are looking to improve their performance in the residential sector. A top solar lead generation company like Grid Freedom can provide instant access to homeowners who have signed up for their first consultation.

These pre-qualified leads enable you to increase the number of solid prospects filling your calendar, minimizing the need to invest in raw leads that have yet to be screened or verified.  Every lead that comes from Grid Freedom has been produced via inbound marketing and screened via phone interviews with live agents. In addition, they are offered only to a single contractor, eliminating worry over the competition.

These criteria are rare among solar marketing agencies, who typically rely on a quantity-over-quality sales model. Maintaining the highest standards for all leads is what has made Grid Freedom one of America’s top solar lead companies. Bookings are available year-round, in Minnesota and every other state.

Get Confirmed Appointments with Homeowners at www.GridFreedom.com

 

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’s Biggest Cities Will Require Instant Online Solar Permitting as of 2024

The solar permitting process has long been a major obstacle for contractors. Red tape and case backlogs have often caused solar projects to be delayed for weeks or even months, creating instability in cash flow and greater hesitance among solar panel leads. Fortunately, many of California’s contractors will soon have a more efficient means for obtaining permits. 

Instant Online Permitting Soon Required for CA’s Larger Cities

This September, bill SB 379, the Solar Access Act, was signed into law. This new legislation will require automated online permitting to be used in cities with more than 5,000 residents, and counties with more than 150,000 residents (including all cities within those counties). 

These new rules will go into effect on different dates, depending on qualifications:

• September 30th, 2023: Cities & counties over 50,000 residents

• September 30th, 2024: Cities under 50,000 residents

New Software Systems Coming 

Of course, for the transition to go smoothly, an efficient system needs to be put in place. California’s cities and counties are permitted to use whatever programs will allow for the online submission and automatic processing of permit applications. 

However, the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has provided a free program already designed for this purpose: SolarAPP+. The web-based app can be smoothly integrated with existing local government permitting software. 

The adoption of SolarAPP+ and other automated online permitting tools will require investments that may be too large for certain municipalities. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has responded to this need with the CalAPP program, which will issue $20 million in grants to support the rollout.

How will solar panel lead generation be impacted?

Easing the flow of the permitting process is bound to make solar installation much faster and simpler. For residents who have been intimidated by the bureaucracy and long wait times, the transition to instant online permitting will remove much of the friction that keeps them from forging ahead with solar. 

Naturally, however, the buzz over the new change is bound to draw attention from leads that aren’t actually likely to buy. Contractors can filter for serious customers by working with an agency that delivers fully pre-screened leads, selected for their purchase readiness.

Grid Freedom is a top agency that provides contractors with confirmed appointments with thoroughly-vetted leads. Each homeowner has been evaluated by live agents via personal phone interviews, allowing for a true understanding of their eligibility and interest. 

Connect with CA’s Best Solar Customers 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