How Solar Contractors are Dealing With Supply Chain Troubles

It’s no secret that America’s solar industry relies heavily on manufacturing from China and other Asian nations. Even though solar PV cell technology was developed in America, China was quickly able to dominate the market with unbeatably-low prices thanks to cheap labor of dubious ethicality. Now, China has a firm grip over 80% of the global polysilicon supply.

Straining Contractor Budgets

This has left America’s solar contractors in a precarious position. Already, import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration had elevated costs for PV panels. While this policy was formulated with the intent to re-spark American manufacturing, it required placing a greater cost burden on the shoulders of contractors. 

It came not long before the start of the pandemic, which practically shut down the Chinese supply chain for months. Even after the initial turmoil, logistics have still suffered greatly, continuing to drive up pricing and delay shipping fulfillments. 

A survey of Chinese manufacturers showed a 20-40% price increase for solar panels over the first half of 2021. In the first quarter of the year, America’s contract prices for solar experienced a 15% jump over last year’s position. 

Contractors are struggling to afford the panels and racking equipment they sell. Many have had to increase the prices on solar systems as a result, but price hikes during the pandemic’s economic fallout only further depress already-meager sales numbers.

Recruiting Help for Lead Generation

How are some contractors pulling ahead despite all of these setbacks? Refining their lead generation process has proven to be an effective method for finding customers that are capable and willing to pay the current rates for solar systems. 

Actually implementing this change is tough to pull off alone, however. That’s why countless contractors across the country have chosen to outsource the work to agencies that specialize in quality lead curation. 

Grid Freedom is one of the top choices in the industry. Offering unbeatable screening, appointment-setting, and complete exclusivity, the agency is able to deliver customers that have the highest level of sale security for contractors. No obligations such as purchase minimums or contracts also keep terms in the favor of installers. 

Boost Your Customer Supply 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

What's Happening at Smart Energy Week 2021

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is holding its annual Smart Energy Week at the end of this month, on September 28th and 29th. Due to COVID-19, the event will be held entirely online, making it even more accessible to solar pros all over the country. 

This conference is one of the best opportunities for those working in the solar industry to learn about new trends and innovations, make key partnerships, and pave the way for future growth. 

Representatives from the National Wildlife Federation, Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and other high-profile organizations will be making presentations on a variety of topics, from solar policy to electrification. Below, we’ll give a quick rundown of what you can expect to see covered during the event.

Solar Market Insights

Opening the event is a lengthy discussion of insights into the Q3 market. Analysts from Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables will lay out their observations, and predictions for the time ahead. Another session will evaluate manufacturing trends, and how shifting to a circular economy can boost the health of the industry overall. 

There will be an on-demand presentation available that focuses on the trends arising in utility-scale solar, from technology to cost. This session will review how the data forecasts a major industry expansion in the years to come.

Grid Integration & Electrification

A number of presentations will be tackling the hurdles of electrifying the energy grid on both the macro and micro levels. Experts will assess what it’s going to take to go carbon-free and meet specific state goals by set deadlines. Advocacy, policymaker support, distribution planning, and other measures of acceleration are brought up as hot topics throughout the conference.

Battery Storage

Several events during Smart Energy Week will take a special look at leveraging battery storage solutions. From appraising long-duration storage planning to case studies of real utility storage projects, experts will explore the best ways to expand storage capacity across the country. 

There will also be an on-demand session discussing how code changes are impacting energy storage installations, and what new factors contractors will need to account for to ensure that their installation projects meet no delays or disruptions.

Rooftop Solar

Expanding rooftop solar is a major factor in the spread of solar, and thus gets special attention in a few sessions. The Lawrence Berkely Laboratory will be presenting on the income and demographic trends of residential customers, and proposing strategies for how to achieve more equitable access to solar across the general population. 

A subject also being tackled is the need for solar contractors to market to low-income households. Even with new financing programs and support making it easier for these homes to go solar, they are less likely to convert simply because they are not receiving as many quotes as higher-income customers. This is proving to be a significant barrier in the expansion of residential solar.

Boost Your Solar Business

Participating in SEIA’s Smart Energy Week is a great way to spark growth for your company. You can register for free. 

If you’re a contractor looking for concrete ways to grow your business right now, sourcing high quality leads from a direct source is one of the most immediate and impactful solutions available. Grid Freedom provides the market’s best leads to contractors on a purely as-needed basis, with screening and appointment-setting already taken care of.

Get Exclusive Solar Leads at www.GridFreedom.com

Will the DOE's New 40% Expansion Plan Bring You More Solar Sales Leads

The Department of Energy has been busy making changes since the new administration took over in January, and another update bodes well for the solar industry. By 2035, the DOE is aiming for 40% of the nation’s electricity to be powered by solar sources. 

This plan was announced via the newly-released Solar Futures Study, a research collaboration between the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). It found that this 40% rate would be achievable with “aggressive cost reductions, supportive policies, and large-scale electrification”. Reassuringly, the study’s projections also show that the goal could be reached without an increase in electricity prices.

What’s in the Plan?

So how exactly does the DOE plan to meet this new target? A number of measures have been proposed based on the study’s extrapolations.

 

●     Annual solar capacity additions would need to increase four-fold, culminating in a total of 1,000 GW added to the national grid. The study proposes executing an average of 30 GW of solar capacity per year up to 2025, then 60 GW per year from 2025-2030.

 

●     Storage infrastructure must be expanded rapidly - we will see a seventy-fold increase specifically in storage that holds solar power up to 12 hours. Advances in storage technology will be needed in order to fulfill the grid service needs estimated by 2035.

 

●     To handle the large volume of installations and maintenance needed, the solar industry will need to expand its workforce by as much as six times, totaling around 1.5 million employees.

 

●     Rooftop solar expansion is essential, as it will reduce the need for grid-sourced power and infuse excess power back into the grid. Electric vehicle adoption is expected to greatly increase the demand for rooftop PV systems, and the DOE recognizes the need to improve affordability via tax credits, low-interest financing, and other incentives. An additional 200 GW in rooftop installations are forecasted by 2050, and the study has determined there is technical potential for 1,100 GW in total rooftop capacity.

Your Future is Full of Solar Sales Leads

The push for expansion described by the Solar Futures Study is going to bring a wealth of new business to contractors across the nation. You can ensure that your company doesn’t have to compete for these new leads by sourcing from an agency that isolates them from other contractors. 

Grid Freedom is well-known for providing exclusive leads of exceptional quality. Leads are only sold once - to you, and no one else. And this is only after undergoing an extremely thorough live screening process to ensure the customer has the highest buying potential. You’ll be able to cut out all the hassle of lead generation and competition, making it possible to fit in more sales and scale up your business.

Get Access to the Best New Leads at www.GridFreedom.com

Climate Change is Creating More Opportunities for Solar Contractors

The fact that worldwide climate conditions are worsening is no cause for celebration. But the effect is resulting in an increased demand for renewable energy sources, which is a major boon for solar contractors. 

In this post, we examine the specific factors that are contributing to this demand, and discuss how working with a solar marketing company is the best way for contractors to connect with the market’s growing influx of customers.

Increasing Temps are Sending Energy Bills Soaring

Average temperatures are rising everywhere. Year over year, we are seeing record breaking highs and heat waves. Since 1979, American averages have risen by as much as half a degree per decade. Globally, 2011-2020 was the warmest decade on record.

This steady climb up the thermometer is making summers miserable without adequate air conditioning. In the pacific northwest, where many older homes do not have A/C systems installed (due to historic temp averages being much lower), recent heat waves have even caused a number of deaths. 

Clearly, air conditioning is becoming a greater necessity. And these systems are having to work harder just to keep up with the heat. The greater frequency of A/C use combined with higher utility prices is causing energy bills to rise. More homeowners are consequently seeking out solar in an effort to cut down their cost burden.

Wildfires are Creating Power Instability

Summer in the western states has become synonymous with wildfire season. After being held responsible for some record-breaking blazes in recent years, utilities like PG&E have resorted to scheduled blackouts to mitigate risk of new fires breaking out. 

In more densely populated cities like Sacramento and San Francisco, these power outages have been relatively minor inconveniences usually lasting only 30 minutes to an hour. But in more rural areas, towns and their residents have suffered through days-long blackouts that cause serious disruption. 

Homeowners who have been failed by their utility providers are looking for ways to become more self-sufficient. Solar installations have become far more popular as a result, especially systems with battery storage equipment. 

Green Energy Conversions are Incentivized More and More

The dramatic impacts of climate change have created a sense of urgency among lawmakers who are aiming to mitigate carbon emissions. Many states have already announced goals of achieving completely clean energy production within the next decade or two. 

Goals like these are sparking new programs that incentivize homeowners to make green upgrades to their homes. From installing new appliances to getting solar installations, homeowners are becoming increasingly able to get assistance with sustainability projects they may have been putting off due to costs. More solar customers are being generated thanks to state and federal programs like the Solar ITC and utility rebates.

A Solar Marketing Company can Help Contractors Connect with New Customers

It’s unfortunate that climate change has created the dynamics outlined above, but solar contractors can help battle against climate change by bringing solar to the many new interested customers. 

One of the most efficient methods for connecting with real, serious buyers is teaming up with an agency that already takes care of the lead attraction and screening processes. Marketing companies like Grid Freedom have become the go-to agencies for leads, thanks to a curation system with uncompromising standards. By providing only the most viable leads available, Grid Freedom is helping contractors focus their efforts on customers that generate worthwhile profits.

Get solar leads at www.GridFreedom.com

Sales Fall Low When You Don't Prioritize Sourcing Exclusive Solar Leads

Have your sales numbers been dropping? Or have you always struggled to meet your quotas? This issue could stem from sourcing leads that aren’t isolated from the rest of the market, meaning that you’ve got other contractors competing to win over the same customers.

Lower Quality Leads Waste Valuable Sales Slots

Many contractors don’t want to put in the extra investment it takes to source only exclusive solar leads. They’d rather find ways to out-compete their rivals. But this attempt at money-saving can actually backfire, since contractors end up wasting time on customers that decide to buy from another installer. 

Every time one of your crew members communicates with a lead or goes to meet them for a sales consultation, they’re investing time and resources. If a significant number of those leads get swiped by competitors, then you’ve lost an investment that could have paid off with a higher quality lead. 

Instead of wasting your calendar slots on iffy leads, why not devote them to only leads that other contractors aren’t vying for?

Exclusivity Keeps Conversion Rates High

If you end up with a higher number of sales by changing your lead qualification criteria, the necessary investment is going to be worthwhile. 

Leads that have been separated from other contractors already have a much higher rate of sale just by that factor alone. Because they aren’t also being wooed by other companies, you won’t need to worry about them being promised better pricing or harassed into submission. You can cut out the noise and focus on working up a fair deal that actually meets their needs.

Finding Exclusive Leads Takes the Right Partner

Of course, locating these isolated leads is tough without having a stringent generation process in place. You’ll have the most success if you team up with an agency that already has this system perfected and productive. 

Grid Freedom is an agency that specializes in attracting fresh solar leads and providing them to contractors on a completely exclusive basis. The leads are completely organic and never once shared with another solar business. Your access is fully protected, giving you the best standing to make a successful pitch. 

Get Exclusive Solar Leads at www.GridFreedom.com

Does Your Solar Panel Lead Generation Plan Put all of Your Eggs in One Basket

“Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” The old adage is popular advice, but surprisingly, a lot of small businesses don’t follow it. This is true even for solar panel contractors, who tend to take on all of their lead generation work themselves. It’s unfortunate that, despite their best efforts, they just can’t consistently pull in the sales they need when they’re all on their own. 

If it sounds like your solar business may be committing the same mistake, we’re here to help. We’ll walk you through why the solo strategy often doesn’t work, and how you can change things up by building outside sources of solar leads.

Your Team Can’t Do it All

Modestly-sized contractor businesses have to operate with far fewer staff than the big companies, especially in the wake of COVID. Most of these positions consist of installers, engineers, and assessors - the ones who are doing the hands-on work of working out how to get solar panels up and running. This leaves few slots open for a sales and marketing team. 

Even if you have a few good sales representatives, a lot of their time gets tied up by actually interacting with customers. They’re on the phone trying to set up consultations, or meeting with clients to drive home sales. When all of that’s taken care of, there’s little time left for them to develop actual marketing campaigns and implement them. It’s not uncommon for sales reps to only have limited knowledge of the nuts and bolts that go into actual advertising and the systems used to generate fresh leads. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a couple of marketing specialists on hand, you’ll at least have some expertise at your disposal. But this doesn’t change the fact that their time and resources are limited - there are only so many leads they can reasonably be expected to churn up.

Partnership Provides Resources Beyond Your Means

The easiest solution to the problem is finding a third-party team to supply you with additional leads. Now, outsourcing may sound like just another expense, but it can actually help you get greater value than if you directed those funds to in-house efforts. 

Because outsourcing agencies (solar marketing companies) specialize in generating solar leads, they’ve developed an entire business infrastructure around it. Their operations are fully dedicated to attracting and identifying leads that contractors like you will want to pursue. They’ve already got the inbound funnels and advertisements created. Recruiting their help allows you to benefit from their dedicated systems and expert staff.

Diversify Your Solar Panel Lead Generation and See Results

Working with a solar lead agency gives you greater security by introducing new streams of incoming customers. Your staff can manage what they’re capable of, without the pressure of lead generation goals they can’t realistically make on their own. 

Grid Freedom is one of the most popular agencies among small solar contractors. It’s chosen for its trick-free terms and ability to provide high-ROI leads at affordable rates. Memberships are free, and every lead is supplied on a completely exclusive basis.

Pull in New Leads at www.GridFreedom.com