Getting Into The Industry Becoming A Solar Installer
What is important when you are getting started with your business? Or when you are looking for a job in the solar industry? You want to pick up skills as effectively and quickly as possible.
The best method to get into a topic is to participate in a well-designed training course. Subject matter experts compile the most relevant knowledge for you, explain it in a way that is easy to understand and then monitor your learning progress in exercises and personal exchange. We offer a 5-day training course, the SuperSolarSchool, that provides you with exactly that. It offers an overview of all steps that are relevant for solar installations. You get solid knowledge of all those fields and have a basis to decide what you want to specialise in.
As a next step, you can do further qualifications. For planning and design we have the 3-day Solar Power Designer for Commercial PV Systems advanced course and a 1-day course focusing on designing 3D PV systems with the PV*SOL design software.
What Are Some Insider Tips For Jump Starting A Solar Panel Business
You must hit the ground running as soon as you find your first customer. Before that, take the time to develop your knowledge of the entire solar industry, emerging technologies, and installation options. Research the various government rebates and work with a financing institution to provide payment options for your clients. You will need to be able to offer something unique to your clients that other companies cannot provide. Make sure your company is properly insured, as accidents will happen that can pose hazards to your crews and your customer’s property.
Careers In The Solar Industry
The solar industry is one of the growing industries in the US. Not to mention, it has become one of the largest sectors that are creating employment opportunities. This industry needs experts belonging to different careers like tech and mechanism. For this reason, around 250,000 Americans have worked in the solar sector since the fall of 2019, which is double in number than 2012.
The primary reason for the rise in jobs is that numerous new solar companies have established in recent years, making it possible to introduce significant jobs. Here are some fields in this industry that need professional and skillful individuals.
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Review And Update Your Resume
Your resume should be a reflection of your education, experience, skill set and accomplishments that make you a good fit for the position. A hiring manager may look through your application documents and decide whether they want to contact you to schedule an interview. It’s important that the resume you submit is one that provides the hiring manager with the most relevant information about you as it relates to the role you’re applying for. Compare your resume to the job description to make sure you’re sharing the most pertinent details that hiring managers are looking for.
Step : Create Your Business Website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that itâs out of their reach because they donât have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldnât delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You donât need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Using our website building guides, the process will be simple and painless and shouldnât take you any longer than 2-3 hours to complete.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
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Step : Register For Taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN for free through the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. If you would like to learn more about EINs and how they can benefit your LLC, read our article, What is an EIN?.
Learn how to get an EIN in our What is an EIN guide or find your existing EIN using our EIN lookup guide.
Small Business Taxes
Depending on which business structure you choose, you might have different options for how your business will be taxed. For example, some LLCs could benefit from being taxed as an S corporation .
You can learn more about small business taxes in these guides:
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
Employers That Recruited In The Last 2 Years
- Certification Provincially Regulated
- Strength Required Lift over 20 kg
- OBJECTIVE
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Interest in operating equipment and tools to install and service interior and exterior prefabricated products
- METHODICAL
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Interest in comparing information to measure and mark guidelines for installations
- innovative
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Interest in repairing and servicing interior and exterior prefabricated products
The interest code helps you figure out if youd like to work in a particular occupation. Its based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory , which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means its a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Solar installers work with clients and customers to determine what solar energy-generation technology options will best suit their needs. They then sell, deliver, install, service and maintain the equipment at customers homes, businesses or construction sites.
For larger projects, especially those involving new construction, solar installers work with or supervise project teams and coordinate with tradespersons and contractors to ensure the safe, effective and efficient installation of equipment.
A solar installer’s duties typically include:
Most of a solar installer’s time is spent working out of doors, with some time spent in attics, basements or garages.
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How Community Solar Works: A Pros And Cons Analysis
Green Coast is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through a link on this page. Learn more.
Community solar is sometimes hard to understand. There are different ways that community solar farms are shared amongst residents. Heres exactly how community solar works, including a full pros and cons analysis of the asset and opting in for the energy savings.
Lack Of Control Over Output Or Operations
The solar garden subscribers are not allowed to take control of solar power operations. They are not even in a position to know the actual output their solar garden is producing.
Similarly, in case of natural calamity or system failure, your garden will go offline. As a result, the production or supply of electricity to the grid will become zero and your savings for that time also go to zero.
These problems may also arise in the rooftop solar arrays, but you have complete control over it. You can simply call a technician and get your solar system fixed within a couple of hours.
Recommended Reading: Can Solar Panels Power A House During A Power Outage
Write A Marketing Plan Packed With Ideas & Strategies
Demand for solar energy is on the rise. Due to increasing concerns over global warming and a desire to reduce energy costs and personal carbon emissions, an ever-increasing number of consumers are weighing solar power as a serious option.
Getting a solid customer base is essential in the solar panel installation industry. Basically the only way to get customers for your solar installation business is to go out and explain the benefits of solar and show potential customers pictures of different systems. Advertising does little beyond getting your name out, and solar systems get sold through personal interaction, not through a yellow pages ad.
Meeting potential customers can be done in a variety of different ways. You will be mostly marketing to the affluent in your community, so you need to figure out where these people spend their time and what activities they like to do. Maybe there is a home show in your area where you could set up a small table advertising your services. Or, you could visit some of the local clubs and pass out some brochures or sponsor an event. The local Chamber of Commerce is a really great way to get customers for your installation business. You will not only meet business owners
How Much Investment Is Necessary To Build A Solar Farm
The power generation capacity of a large-scale solar farm is at least 1 megawatt . This capacity is equal to that of a power plant, which is capable of offering a constant supply of electricity to almost 200 households.
The cost of building a solar farm largely depends on different factors, including available space and sunlight hours. The cost of a utility-scale solar farm is something around $1/watt. Hence, you can easily calculate that to build a 1 MW solar farm, you have to invest approximately $1 million.
The cost of the residential or community solar farm is relatively higher, which stands at $3 to $4 per watt.
The reason for this difference is the fact that while building a large-scale solar farm, you buy solar panels and other equipment in bulk, which lowers their price to a great extent.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Solar Rebate
Develop Strategies To Boost Brand Awareness And Create A Corporate Identity
The solar panel installation industry, by comparison, is still relatively new, and many companies are searching for their own version of V Power. Ways to get your own V Power may include
- Research the customers mind set in each local market
- Nail your message
- Ride the locavore movement
23. Create a Supplier/Distribution Network
The need to develop alternative energy sources has been widely accepted in the world. Solar energy is one of the alternatives being developed and its potential contribution is highly touted. The possible utilization of solar energy for heating and cooling of public, commercial and residential buildings has gained considerable attention and support.
Information on the application and viability of solar energy for heating and cooling buildings is being distributed by both public and private sources in an attempt to generate awareness and interest. Recognizing that information alone will not result in widespread adoption, both Federal and state governments are offering financial incentives to encourage interested consumers to incorporate solar options into their homes.
24. Tips for Running a Solar Panel Installation Business Successfully
Managing a solar installation business isnt an Easy task. Whether its a small local installer working on one system a week on neighbourhood homes, or a large installer working on 500 systems a week in multiple states, the logistics, engineering, financing, customer relations and project management are daunting.
Protect Your Intellectual Property With Trademark Copyrights Patents
Every day, the sun radiates down onto the earth a thousand times more energy than we could ever use. The demand for technologies capable of tapping into that energy is booming as pressure mounts to find solutions to climate change and sustainable development
Solar photovoltaic systems which convert light energy from the sun directly into electricity produce no greenhouse gases in their operation, have no moving parts, require virtually no maintenance, and have cells that last for decades. Intellectual property is the area of law that deals with protecting the rights of those who create original works.
It covers everything from original plays and novels to inventions and company identification marks. The purposes of intellectual property laws are to encourage new technologies, artistic expressions and inventions while promoting economic growth.
When individuals know that their creative work will be protected and that they can benefit from their labour, they are more likely to continue to produce things that create jobs, develop new technology, make processes more efficient, and create beauty in the world around us. Seek the advice of an IP attorney to help you understand the various segments to protecting your intellectual properties.
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Electric Quotes From Customers
Customers are often wary of providing their electricity bills. Just a few days can mean the difference between landing a new customer and losing them, so make this process as seamless as possible for your customers.
Most electric customers receive a bill in the mail every month. If they dont, they can likely access it online from their utility. Either way, Aurora can provide a forecast of year-round energy usage from just one months bill taking into account factors like weather, HVAC, and more. If the bill isnt available, get the kWh from your customers meter. Next, divide the kWh by the number of days that have elapsed since that billing cycle , and multiply the result by 30 to get a rough energy use estimate.
Take this opportunity to remind your customer that making efficiency upgrades in the home could drastically improve energy efficiency.
And dont forget to study up on thenet metering rules for your state. Being able to sell excess power back to the grid can be a huge selling point for solar installations.
Go Through Specialized Training
Many careers in renewable energy require some training in the field, especially if you’re trying to get into a more technical position. Once you’ve determined your interests and the career you want to pursue, explore courses and other training opportunities that will offer you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your chosen concentration. You can likely find opportunities that will fit your schedule, even if you are currently employed elsewhere. You can also show a hiring manager that you’ve gone through training, which can help you stand out as an applicant.
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What Happens During A Typical Day At A Solar Panel Business
As owner, your dayâs activities will vary depending on what jobs you have lined up. Typical duties might include:
- Installing solar panels, back-up battery systems, and connections to main power grid
- Contacting potential customers for initial survey
- Working with customers to find grants, rebates, and special financing available to those entering the solar program
- Calculating the amount of potential solar energy a particular location could generate with a variety of products
- Scheduling installation crews and delivery of panels to site
- Conducting a final survey and checklist of a completed installation
- Maintaining proper accounting and payroll procedures
- Hiring staff for a multitude of responsibilities
- Developing potential commercial and municipal customers for large installations and projects
- Providing maintenance and repair for existing solar panels, possibly including previous customers
What Do Solar Salespeople Do
Jenna Ahlman, an inside sales representative at Blue Raven Solar based in Utah, spends her day calling prospective solar customers over the phone to see if their homes are a good fit for solar. Ahlman is a solar salesperson, and her role is the link between solar companies and the people they serve.
I spend my day talking to people who say theyre curious about solar but arent convinced that they should look into it. I tell them why its important and give them information, said Ahlman.
Residential solar salespeople spend their time gathering leads, explaining the value proposition of solar to interested people and following up with potential customers.
Solar sales can be broken out into two types of jobs: inside and outside sales.
Inside solar salespeople connect with households over the phone, calling lists of potential leads or responding to inbound inquiries to talk with the goal of arranging a time for another salesperson to visit the customers home.
Dont want to sit at a desk? Outside salespeople usually start their career in solar sales by canvassing door to door to set up appointments, before moving into a more senior position that entails longer, more detailed home visits. Viktoriya Vorobyova from Venture Solar, who is based in Brooklyn, New York, described it as like cold-calling but in person.
Not all solar companies have door-to-door canvassing teams, but it remains a mainstream tactic for local installers.
Read Also: How To Calculate Savings From Solar Panels
How To Get A Job In The Energy Industry
Our modern lives depend on reliable and cost-effective energy being widely available. Renewable energy is the way of the future and the energy sector is booming as a result. If youre ready to energize your career, check out the energy industry! The strongest candidates in the field have great attention to detail and strong critical thinking abilities. and prove to employers that youve got the skills it takes to succeed!
How And When To Build A Team
As soon as your business loan is in place, you must start building your sales, survey, installation, and maintenance team. Unless you are an experienced installer, it is wise to include an industry expert as one of your first team members who can help guide you in building the best staff. You may require an executive assistant as your schedule gets crowded with meetings, marketing, and social events.
Read our solar panel business hiring guide to learn about the different roles a solar panel business typically fills, how much to budget for employee salaries, and how to build your team exactly how you want it.
Next Steps
Check out our How to Start a Business page.
Sign up at the Business Center to access useful tools for your business.
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