Selling your solar power is more complicated than just setting up a web page or creating a Facebook campaign. There are legalities, financials, and a lot of uncertainty. However, as the world becomes more aware of the positive impact that clean energy can have on our planet, more and more people are looking to cash in on their rooftop solar panels.
The Different Stages Of A Solar-Powered Future
In the past, people may have looked at owning solar power as a quick way to make money. However, with the increasing cost of energy and subsidies, it is no longer a financially viable option for everyone. Instead, people are looking for different ways to make money from the energy they generate. This article will walk you through the different stages that you or your business might encounter as you begin your journey to becoming completely solar powered.
From Rooftop To Rooftop
As the name would suggest, you’ll begin your transition to solar power by taking your rooftop project and expanding it to other buildings. This is a lot more complicated than adding a few more solar panels to your home. You’ll have to put in the work to determine what type of system is best for your needs and what the most cost-effective way of doing business is. Once you’ve made the decision, you can begin the process of finding the correct grant and financial assistance to make it happen.
Going Ventriloquist
If you’ve read any of our previous articles, you’ll know that we typically end up talking about some sort of grant or subsidy that you may be entitled to as part of the renewable energy legislation. However, while grants and subsidies are a great way to make sure your solar project is financially viable, they don’t necessarily make up the whole story. You’ll also need to look into microgrants, which are essentially loans for small businesses and non-profits that are committed to environmental causes. These are ideal for people like you who want to generate their own power and don’t necessarily need a lot of money to make it happen.
Creating Your Sales Pitch
Creating a strong sales pitch is one of the most critical parts of successfully selling solar power to potential customers. In an interview with the Solar Power Industry Magazine, Will McCrea, founder and CEO of EcoProducts, said this about his company’s sales process:
“We begin by asking the customer to imagine themselves as the buyer. Then, we ask them to write down all the reasons why they should buy this product. This helps them articulate the value proposition more clearly. Once we have a clear understanding of what the customer wants and needs, we can craft a compelling argument as to why this product is exactly what the customer wants and needs. This is where marketing comes in. A great salesperson should be able to articulate the benefits of the product clearly and concisely.”
In addition to crafting a convincing sales pitch, you’ll also want to think about how you will go about convincing potential customers to buy your product. For many people, the decision to go green and buy renewable energy is a conscious one. Therefore, you may find that presenting the financial benefits of going solar makes the most sense. In our opinion, this is one of the most effective ways of selling renewable energy. As a product, solar power is often compared to other energy sources, such as coal or gas. In general, the costs of these other energy sources are a lot higher than what you’ll spend on solar power. In the long run, this makes a lot of sense considering that solar energy is sustainable (at least for now) and won’t affect the environment in the same way that coal mining or gas drilling does. As a result, you may find that presenting the environmental benefits of going solar is also a powerful selling point.
Setting Up Shop
Once you’ve gotten the green light from the bank and have begun generating your own power, the next step is to set up shop. In other words, you’ll need to find a place where you can install the systems and begin selling your product. If you’ve been following our blog, you’ll know that we spend a lot of time talking about the various legal, regulatory, and financial challenges that you may encounter. Setting up shop means that you’ll have to deal with all these issues. Moreover, you’ll also have to work with an accountant to ensure that you’re handling all your business finances correctly. In our opinion, it’s best to consult with a lawyer and an accountant before you begin setting up shop. They can help you navigate the various legal and financial challenges that you’ll face and assist you in creating a sound business plan.
Pricing
Knowing how to price your product is one of the most important things that you’ll need to learn as you begin your business. In general, the more expensive your product, the more you’ll have to charge. However, there are a lot of exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you’re providing a service, such as electricity, you may want to consider charging a premium for the service. This way, you’ll be able to increase your income while also reducing your customer’s energy bills. When it comes to pricing, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:
“How much do I need to charge to be able to make a profit? How high can I go? Am I missing an opportunity somewhere?”
In our opinion, the best way to find out how much you should charge is by looking at other companies’ products and determining how much you would’ve charged if you were selling that product. In some cases, you may have to make small adjustments to the price, depending on how much you were able to negotiate with the supplier for the product you looked up. For example, if you bought a 100kW system and it was discounted by 10%, you may have to increase your price by 1.5%.
Marketing And Promotions
The final step of the sales process is to market and promote your product. This is typically done through advertising and word of mouth. However, in the world of solar power, it’s a little different. People are turning to online platforms like Google and Facebook to find information about solar companies and products. As a result, you may find that the most effective way of marketing and promoting your product is through social media.
On our blog alone, we get over 200,000 views a month. That’s a lot of potential customers. Moreover, many of our readers are people who are searching for solar companies and products online. As a result, we’ve been able to discover a number of new customers through online marketing and word of mouth. In our opinion, having a strong online presence through social media platforms is the best way to get the word out about your product and start attracting potential customers.
Creating a successful solar business doesn’t have to be hard. As long as you’re willing to put in the work, it is possible to make a lot of money. Moreover, it’s a great way to fight climate change. We hope that this article has helped you understand the various steps that you need to take in order to create a successful solar business. From generating your own power to selling your product, here are some of the most useful tips to keep in mind:
Don’t Be Fooled By Big Numbers
When you’re selling solar power, it’s important to be aware of how much various governmental and financial institutions are willing to pay for your product. This is why it’s important to look into what is known as “big numbers.” For instance, the U.S. government will often purchase large quantities of solar energy in order to help spur the clean energy industry. In some cases, they may offer financial assistance, but in general, purchasing large quantities of solar energy is seen as a way of demonstrating their support for the industry.
Focus On The Local Market
In addition to looking into national and international markets, you’ll also want to pay close attention to the local market. Specifically, you’ll want to determine what the needs and wants of your potential customers are. Moreover, you can use this information to your advantage in creating a strong marketing strategy. In our opinion, doing business in the U.S. is considerably different than doing business in other parts of the world. For instance, many people in other parts of the world may not have access to the internet or email, which makes it much more difficult to market and sell your product online. As a result, you may want to consider focusing your marketing efforts on local businesses, schools, and non-profits in your area.