We've reached a point where solar technologyhas become affordable to the average homeowner. The cost of cells has been brought down dramatically by the large-scale production of solar panels and the manufacturing process has been improved to make the cells more reliable and efficient. That's why many home improvement contractors are now including solar system installation as a service. Let's look at how home improvement contractors can benefit from this relatively new technology in home construction.
Why Should Home Improvement Contractors Offer Solar Technology?
First, the cost of solar is coming down so the technology has reached a point where it can be justified economically. Coupled with federal and local incentives and depending on your location, the cost of a solar system is one that can be paid off by the homeowner in a relatively short period of time and homeowners will get the instant satisfaction of seeing their energy bills go down. Long-term energy cost savings is the number-one motivator for homeowners to invest in solar for their homes especially if they live in a hot climate.
Can Solar Installation Be Good for Business?
Offering solar installation as one of your home improvement services makes a lot of sense. Rising energy costs are driving homeowners to look into the technology and, depending on where you live, the desire for energy independence could be a huge factor. The aging energy infrastructure in the US has led to some areas experiencing blackouts in the summers or if there is strong weather and the power goes out, homeowners want the peace of mind that they have a backup system.
If you are already offering other smart-home solutions, solar is a no-brainer as those customers tend to be attracted to technologies that make their homes more efficient and green. Consider the services you already offer and the customers you serve to see if solar is a fit in terms of your services, if you’re not already being asked about it by customers, start surveying them to see if there is interest. Get online and see how many installers are in your area of operation. A lot can mean there’s a market and you might be able to take a slice of it, none in the area means there isn’t a market, yet…
How Hard is it to get Certified to Install Solar?
It’s clear there is a market for residential solar installation, the bureau of labor and statistics has said the solar installation industry will grow by over 50% over the decade. So is it important to get certified to install solar systems?
Since this is a newer industry, a lot of installers are actually not certified in any way. Check with your state to see if a certification is required but even if it is not, it’s worth being certified to stand out from the competition and ensure you’re performing quality work. You can check out the NABCEP for national certifications as well as certifications like the PVIS that have been around a long time and are considered the standard. Many times there is OSHA requirements that go along with obtaining these certificates so keep that in mind as well.
Certifications should not be confused with state licensing as each state will have its requirements when it comes to solar and or electrical work but these certifications are important in establishing your home improvement company’s authority in your local market.
Conclusion
Expanding your home improvement services to include solar may make a lot of sense depending on where you operate. Even if there aren’t a lot of installers around you today, the demand does not appear to be slowing down so you may have the opportunity to get in early on the growing demand. Getting licensed and even certified can help you dominate your local market and share the benefits of solar with your customers.
To make solar technology much more prevalent, financing options should be available for your homeowner customers. EnFin is here to be your lending partner for residential solar contractors and installers. We offer solar panel financing options by working with Qcells, which is currently the number one solar manufacturer in the country. Contact us today to learn more about solar financing by EnFin.
