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 

Now is the Time to Push Hard on Summer Leads

We’re well into summer now, and while some contractors have more business than they can handle, others need a bigger influx of customers before the season ends.

For contractors in the latter camp, it’s critical that they focus hard on generating residential solar leads now so that they’re financially set by fall’s arrival. Below, we go over why this mid-summer period is a critical point for seasonal sales, and offer a proven solution for finding new customers ASAP.

Schedules Still Have Room to Plan Big Projects

With more than a month left of true summer, homeowners still have some free time on their hands. Those with children don’t have to worry about school resuming until around the end of August, and pressures are still relatively low in many workplaces.

 

As soon as the transition to fall begins, however, their schedules are going to get a lot busier. That’s why many homeowners that are approached at the end of summer choose to postpone their installations until the next year.

 

Leads that are sourced right now still have enough time to go through the consultation and planning process without too many obstacles. They’ll be able to thoughtfully consider a solar proposal without any rush - something that can easily dissuade even the most interested customers.

Lead Times Can Still Accommodate the Best Weather

After a lead greenlights their installation, there’s still the matter of ordering the panels and scheduling the installation. These factors can add several weeks to the timeline for fulfilling a customer’s contract.

 

Deals made in late summer, therefore, run the risk of installation taking place during the arrival of autumn’s storm season. This can lead to project delays, which will further extend the time it takes for contractors to close an account. On the other hand, leads that are converted to confirmed buyers right now will give contractors plenty of time to complete the installation before the weather becomes a big concern.

Get Help Sourcing Residential Solar Leads ASAP

If you’re a contractor that needs to find many customers before summer wanes, you’ll need the help of a partner that can provide pre-screened, ready-to-meet leads. Grid Freedom is known as one of the top agencies capable of providing contractors with confirmed customer appointments immediately.

We generate our leads in-house and set them up for their first consultation with you. Our process fast-tracks the sales process while also allowing you to focus your efforts on the most promising customers. Sign up today to get access to the leads you need right now.

Find Ready Customers 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

Diverse Solar Contractors Can Gain an Edge Via SEIA's Diverse Suppliers Networking Event

As a rapidly expanding industry, more and more solar businesses are arising under diverse ownership. This is creating a wealth of economic opportunities for underrepresented groups, both in terms of career options and community representation. 

Encouraging diversity in solar has become a priority in the industry, especially under the current presidential administration. Leaders are taking action to cultivate opportunities for diverse individuals and businesses throughout the solar sector.

One of these is the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). As part of their latest effort to help boost Solar's diverse companies, SEIA will be hosting its Diverse Suppliers Virtual Networking Event on June 23rd at 2PM EST.

What Does This Digital Networking Meeting Have to Offer?

There will be three key speakers at the event, addressing the importance of pursuing more diverse partnerships in the industry. These speakers include:

• Dana Sleeper, The Sleeper Group

• Tom Donahue, President, Donahue & Sons

• Monique M. Dyers, P.E., Principal & CEO, Ensight Energy Consulting, LLC

The event will also shine a light on SEIA’s Diverse Suppliers Database, a recently-launched resource that helps supply chain buyers find diverse-owned businesses to collaborate with. This resource has become a highly useful tool for solar businesses, as tracking and improving solar diversity is becoming a necessary part of compliance in certain markets. If you have yet to be listed in the DSD, you can add your business information here. 

Attending This Zoom Event

This event is open to anyone who represents a diverse-owned business or is looking for guidance on how to find diverse-owned suppliers. It will facilitate connections between members throughout the solar supply chain, laying the foundation for relationships that strengthen diversity industry-wide.

If you’re interested in attending this virtual networking event, you can register here. It will take place on June 23, 2022, at 02:00 PM in Eastern Time (the US and Canada) via ZOOM. 

Solar Lead Companies Improve Opportunities for All

Diverse installers can find more sale opportunities and reduce competition pressures by partnering with the right solar lead companies. Agencies that work to deliver only the most valuable, viable leads can help installers increase the efficiency of their lead sourcing, and close more deals every month. This can be a vital leg up in establishing your business's financials and reputation.

Grid Freedom is one of the most trusted suppliers for contractors who need leads they can count on. We put all of our leads through an in-depth screening process that sorts out which homeowners are really ready to install. Contractors from all over the USA can access as many leads as they need, at any time. 

Grow Sales Numbers 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

Drought & Wildfire Season Will Spark Solar Panel Lead Generation

Entering summer, our worsening climate has become a major worry. Reports warning of looming troubles are filling news headlines from the international to local level. People are responding to these concerns in various ways, one of which includes the pursuit of residential solar installations. In this post, we examine how the two big problems of the season are pushing more homeowners toward solar. 

Extreme Drought is Pushing People Toward Green Living

Drought has become a worldwide problem. In America, approximately half of the lower 48 states (almost 89 million citizens) are experiencing drought conditions. Most of the counties in the West have received official “Drought Disaster” designations from the USDA. 

Such extremity has prompted calls for local residents to take water-saving measures, making changes to habits such as bathing frequency, toilet flushing, lawn watering, and dishwashing. Having state and city officials plead for these lifestyle changes has brought the issue to the forefront of people’s minds. More and more citizens are recognizing the serious consequences of climate change and resource scarcity. 

This is motivating many to transition to greener practices, including the adoption of eco-friendly technologies. Homeowners who are aiming to reduce their own resource consumption are seeking out not just water-saving installations, but also other sustainable features like solar panels. 

Wildfire Season is Bringing Grim Blackout Forecasts

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently announced that utility customers can expect more blackouts throughout the 2022 fire season. 

Worsening weather conditions and dryness created by the drought are set to increase the risk of fire sparked by utility infrastructure. In California, it’s expected that the number of preventative power shutoffs (PSPS events) will peak in mid-September. Extreme heat is also expected to overwhelm electricity demands, causing widespread grid failure. 

People living in wildfire-prone regions have come to expect this volatility, and their tolerance is wearing thin. Without air conditioning or refrigeration on the hottest days, residents have to endure conditions that can cause heatstroke, and even result in significant losses as food and medication spoils. Being unable to charge devices also poses a risk for citizens who rely on electronics for notice of evacuations and road closures.  

Many of the affected customers already experience power instability through the winter months. From last Christmas to January 5th, more than 350,000 residents in California’s Sierra region were without power due to a winter storm. Many of these citizens were forced to go without heating, lighting, and even warm meals during this period. While PG&E partnered with local agencies to provide warming centers and food supplies to the affected areas, many of these resources were out of reach for customers who lived in more rural zones or lacked access to transportation. 

Year-round incidents like these have diminished confidence among residents that their utility providers can be counted on. Basic necessities can be gone at a moment’s notice, causing disruption at best, and serious danger at worst. 

Citizens who have been suffering through these conditions are seeking solutions that give them continuous, dependable energy, even when the grid is down. Now at the start of summer, a number of these homeowners want to get solar installed before the risk of blackouts is highest.

Climate Pressures are Driving Solar Lead Generation

With these concerns increasing demand for solar, it’s possible to find many solar customers right now. The key is zoning in on those who are serious and fully ready to make a purchase this season.

Grid Freedom helps contractors like you directly connect with customers who want to buy solar now. We’ve already put in all of the work to attract and screen every lead, ensuring that you only meet with those who’ve been verified as keen and eligible buyers. Each lead comes on a 100% exclusive basis, with their first consultation already scheduled. 

Find Leads Ready for Installations at www.GridFreedom.com