How To Sell Solar Energy To Government

Federal Programs And Policies

At the federal level, several key policies, programs, and regulations help promote solar energy deployment. Many of these policies help reduce the capital costs associated with developing new solar projects, making solar a more attractive option for communities across America. Other federal programs provide useful data and research to help local governments develop their own solar programs. The most important federal programs, initiatives, and agencies include:

• The Federal Investment Tax Credit , which provides a tax benefit for installing residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar.
• The Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System , which reduces the income subject to federal taxes for solar project owners.
• The Public Utilities Regulatory Act , which can mandate that utilities purchase energy from solar and other qualifying facilities.
• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission , an independent agency that regulates power markets.
• The Solar Energy Technologies Office, which oversees the solar-related programs and activities at the U.S. Department of Energy .
• The U.S. Energy Information Administration, which provides comprehensive data on U.S. energy markets.

Power Generation From Solar

Every second 657 million tons of hydrogen are converted to 653 million tons of helium in our sun. The missing 4 million tons are converted to light and heat energy via Einsteins E=MC2 equation and radiated into space. At an average distance of 93 million miles from the sun, the earth collects approximately 4 lbs. of total energy, which supports life on earth as we know it. For every kWh of electricity generated by solar energy, the following emissions are avoided since that kWh need not be generated from a fossil fuel power plant. In one year, the approximate avoided emissions in lbs/year are:

Financial Products And Consulting:

You can offer specific financial products to solar businesses such as construction financing and joint venture financing. Additionally, you can also act as a consultant for solar energy companies and help them understand the different government programs and the kinds of finance options available for them.

You May Like: How Much Does It Cost To Solar Panel Your House

How To Sell Solar Power Into Your Grid And Make Money

Related

• What Are the Benefits of Solar Power to Business?

From sloped roof installations to flat roof tilt-up arrays and building integrated models, possibilities for commercial solar power generation are varied and numerous. Companies joining in on the solar trend have the added bonus of selling excess power to the utility for money in the form of credits and savings.

The basic principle behind solar energy systems is relatively simple: solar panels installed on a roof or set of buildings generate DC power via photovoltaic cells a solar inverter transforms DC power to AC, which travels to a breaker box, which supplies the companys electricity.

Should I Change The Angle Of My Array Manually Throughout The Year

Most on-grid system owners do not change the angle of their array ever. On-grid system arrays are typically bolted into a set position.

Off-grid system owners have greater needs during the winter months. Therefore, it often makes sense for them to change the tilt twice a year, at the spring and autumn equinoxes. Changing the tilt angle twice a year will typically increase annual production by 4-5%. Ground mount arrays are usually easier to access than roof mounts.

If you have an off-grid system that you plan to change the tilt of, we recommend that you ensure your solar array has been designed to allow for you to manually adjust the angle of the solar modules in a safe way. All other adjustments should be made by an electrical professional.

You May Like: How Much Does A Solid Wood Interior Door Cost

How Much Does A Solar Panel Cost

Prices have been coming down steadily over the years. The total cost will depend on how many kilowatts of power your array will generate. According to consumer reports, after solar tax credits are accounted for, the cost for a solar panel system on an average-sized house in the U.S. in 2021 ranges from $11,000 to $15,000.

Establish Your Business And Enterprise

there are several ways you can set up your business. One of them is to buy a franchise of an existing business. This approach allows you to skip some of the business-building and get on board with an established enterprise that already has a foothold in the market.

Clearly, you have to offset the advantage of a quick start against the cost of buying into the franchise and any ongoing commission payments. Still, it can be a great first step in the industry, so its worth researching what franchise opportunities are available.

The alternative is to go it alone and build up your own business from scratch. To do this, youll need to establish a business presence and meet regulatory requirements like registering the business and getting a tax identification number.

Youll also need to obtain any relevant sales permits and make sure that you research the licenses you need to produce, install, and sell solar technology in the area or areas you plan to operate.

Designated solar contractor licenses are available in several states, so you should check if these are applicable in your area.

Before you do any trading, make sure that you take out some insurance for your business. General liability insurance is essential, and if you are going to employ staff or use vehicles in your company name, you will need the relevant insurance and liability policies.

Read Also: What’s The Average Cost Of A Solar Panel

Sell Solar Energy Back To The Grid To Create A Passive Income Stream

When you buy a solar energy system, whether it be an entire home or just panels on the roof, the electric company becomes your partner. The utility company must sign a contract with you before you can break ground on your system. Then will pay you for any excess electricity that is generated by the panels. You can then use these proceeds to offset any future electric bills at your home. Its really all win-win when you think about it, both parties benefit from using solar power. Basically, if your panels are generating a surplus of solar power, you arent just saving money. Youre earning money too. This is called net metering, a great addition to your streams of passive income. In addition, read on to learn about Renewable Energy Credits , a great way to make money while saving the world.

You May Like: Government Jobs For History Majors

How To Sell Solar Panels Like Pro

The home solar industry has been one of the great business success stories of the past decade as technological breakthroughs, and government subsidies have made home solar systems compellingly affordable.

Thats why Im thinking of getting into the solar panel resale market. Perhaps thats something you thought of too?

Technology will keep improving, and despite the great savings available so far only a fraction of US households have made a move to solar. It seems like now its the perfect time to enter the business.

Ive done a lot of research, and I want to share some tips and advice about how to sell solar panels with you.

You May Like: What The Average Cost To Install Solar Panels

Become An Open Line Of Support

Selling solar is all about timing as well. Maybe your prospects like what they are hearing but just need some more time to sit on making a final decision. You can show prospects tons of benefits for getting solar, but ultimately they will decide to buy by trusting their gut. Dont pressure anyone to buy on your sales goal schedule, let them decide when the time is right for them. Keep an open line of communication open so they can call, email, or text you whenever they have a question build a trustworthy relationship over time. The sales cycle can be long with solar related products, so be patient and be a trusted advisor throughout the process.

You can also provide incentives as time goes on to encourage prospects to finalize their purchasing decision. You may have to take a bit of a financial hit out of your commission, but if it speeds up sales and nets you more, then its more than worth it overall. Be sure to also provide references and testimonials should your prospects want to hear about first-hand experiences from your current clients. Anything you can do to make your prospects feel good about yourself as a sales consultant and what you are trying to sell them will go a long way, and in the end, will result in more business for you.

Solar Energy Technologies Office

The Solar Energy Technologies Office is part of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and funds innovations in solar technologies. In its own words, SETO supports early-stage research and development in three technology areas: photovoltaics , concentrating solar-thermal power , and systems integration with the goal of improving the affordability, reliability, and domestic benefit of solar technologies on the grid. Funding from SETO supports all facets of the solar market, including improvements in the technical efficiencies of PV systems improvements in grid performance and reliability and the creation of new business models.

A sub-program within SETO works to lower the soft costs of going solar, which are the non-hardware costs that drive up the expense of installations. Local government processes in areas such as permitting, inspection, and planning and zoning can drive up solar soft costs. To reduce these costs, SETO provides networking and technical assistance, data analysis, business innovation, and training. One program funded by SETO isSolSmart, which provides official designation to local governments that reduce soft costs by addressing obstacles to solar energy development. SolSmart provides no-cost technical assistance to help communities achieve designation.

Recommended Reading: How Much Does Solar Power Cost Per Kwh

You Can Sell Excess Solar Power Back To Govt But It May Take Around 7 Years To Break Even

• email

• Small-scale embedded generators can get around 72 cents for every kilowatt hour pumped back into the grid via a bi-directional electrical meter.
• These solar power systems cost upwards of R200,000 and can be paid off in seven years by combining savings with municipal feed-in tariffs.
• But additional monthly charges and the systems 15-to-25-year lifespan are causes for careful consideration.
• Energy experts are calling for feed-in tariffs to be increased, to shorten the pay-back time.
• For more articles, go to www.BusinessInsider.co.za.

Major municipalities across South Africa are allowing commercial and residential property owners to feed renewable energy back into the power grid. That means small-scale embedded generators are now reaping double the benefits of solar photovoltaic systems but recouping the initial capital is a long and often complicated process.

South African homeowners looking to unshackle themselves from Eskoms erratic supply and surging electricity tariffs are increasingly turning towards solar-powered systems. It is estimated that South Africas electricity tariffs have increased by 300% over the last decade, while renewable energy is becoming more affordable, with the cost of solar dropping by 90% since 2000.

Municipalities, which act as grid overseers and the links between Eskom and properties, have now developed SSEG regulations aimed at benefitting private property owners and city supplies.

That could change.

Who Are The Decision

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the nodal Ministry of the Government of India for all matters relating to new and renewable energy. The broad aim of the ministry is to develop and deploy new and renewable energy for supplementing the energy requirements of the country. They provide direct and indirect tax benefits such as sales tax, excise duty exemptions, and custom duty exemptions.

Also Check: Can Solar Panels Damage My Roof

What Is The Ideal Tilt Angle For My Solar Array

A solar module will produce the most electricity when it is perpendicular to the rays of the sun. Therefore, the general rule of thumb for the best annual production is to set the tilt angle equivalent to the latitude. For summer production, the ideal angle is latitude 15°. For winter production, set it at latitude +15°. If you live in Edmonton, please check out the NAIT/City of Edmonton Reference Array System on the SESA website for more detail.

How To Get Started In Selling Solar Panels

to conclude, heres a quick checklist of what you should do to get started in the solar system business.

• Conduct initial and ongoing industry research. Consider obtaining a professional certification
• Research the market and choose your niche. Look at whats out there and decide what you can do better.
• Develop contacts in the solar industry and learn from their experiences.
• Define, establish and begin your business!

If you have any questions or comments on how to sell solar panels, then please share them.

4.65

Also Check: Are Solar Panels Free In Nj

Talk To People Who Have Been There Before

whether or not you know anybody involved in the solar industry, its a great idea to make some contacts and find out how things work.

A very successful solar business always began by simply cold-calling people already involved in the industry. This is a very practical approach since it helps you to build a network of contacts while you learn from the successes and failures of people who have been there before you.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Act Of 1978

The Public Utilities Regulatory Act of 1978 is a federal policy designed to conserve electricity, improve utility-sector energy efficiency, and promote equitable electricity rates.In recent years, PURPA has played a significant role in expanding the growth of solar energy in many parts of the United States. This is a result of PURPAs mandate that utilities purchase power from small renewable energy producers when the cost of that electricity is less than what the utility would pay to deliver its own power.

Specifically, PURPA requires utilities to purchase from energy producers known as qualifying facilities . Power producers can qualify as a QF by meeting one of two standards:

• Small power production facilities: Facilities that are 80 MW or less in capacity and generate renewable energy .
• Cogeneration facilities: Facilities that simultaneously produce both electric and thermal energy, with the latter having a productive use .

PURPA mandates that utilities purchase electricity from QFs if the electricity can be provided at an avoided cost. The avoided cost is defined as the cost the utility would have incurred to generate or otherwise acquire the electricity from a third party. In recent years, PURPA has had a particularly significant impact in regions where there are few other state-level incentives for solar energy development.

You May Like: How To Build A Solar Cell At Home

If You Decide Solar Panels Are Right For You Find A Registered Installer And Get Three Quotes

As we’re MoneySavers, not electricians, picking installers isn’t our speciality. You can see the firms shortlisted for the British Renewable Energy Awards 2020, run by the Renewable Energy Association, or ask friends and colleagues for recommendations.

The system and the installer should meet the standards of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme . And make sure the installer is a member of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code.

As always, get at least three quotes, and get ’em in writing. When comparing quotes, check the following are included: scaffolding, removal of the existing roof and other roofing works, internal wiring works, sorting out a connection agreement with the energy supplier, electrical connection work, and a generation meter. Fitting the panels themselves is a one or two-day job.

Once they’re fitted, registering your panels is a must you’ll need an MCS certificate, which you’ll use to register for smart export guarantee payments with a licensed energy supplier.

Never borrow from solar companies to pay for the panels

Some installers let you buy solar panels on credit. If you don’t have the cash upfront, panels aren’t for you. The loan’s interest could dwarf the savings.

Solar panels are generally low maintenance

The Energy Saving Trust says little maintenance is required on a properly installed, well-designed solar PV system, though you’ll likely need to replace the inverter a gadget that is a key part of the mechanism within about 25 years .

Where To Buy Solar Panels

If you also want to buy solar panels, you can contact the Renewable Energy Development Authority of the state government. For this, offices are built in major cities of every state. Apart from this, solar panels are also available with private dealers. For this, you have to first contact the authority for your loan amount. The form will also be received from the authority for subsidy.

Also Check: What Is A Solo Ira

If You Already Have Solar Panels And Get The Feed

If you already have solar panels and get the feed-in tariff, the closure of the scheme won’t affect you. Depending on when your panels were installed and certified you’re guaranteed to get the payments for at least 20 years:

Why Bother Selling Solar Panels In The First Place

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association , the pace of solar installations across all market segments has been steadily increasing over the past decade. Check out these 3 reasons why its worth your while to get into the solar game:

Reason #1: Falling prices equals growth

One of the biggest strikes against solar for the past several decades has been the cost. But thats all changed. The cost to install solar has dropped by more than 70% over the last decade, leading the industry to expand into new markets and install thousands of systems across the U.S.

Specifically, an average-sized residential system has dropped from $40,000 in 2010 to roughly $20,000 today . And recent utility-scale prices range from $16/MWh $35/MWh, meaning solar is now competitive with all other forms of electricity generation.

Reason #2: Solar is leading in new electric capacity additions

In 2020, 43% of all new electric capacity added to the grid came from solar. This is the largest share in history and marks the second year in a row that solar has added the most capacity to the grid compared to other sources.

And its no fluke. Solar has ranked 1st or 2nd in new electric capacity additions in the last 8 years increasing its share of total U.S. electrical generation from just 0.1% in 2010 to nearly 4% today.

Reason #3: Its now a 50-state market

And now that you know why you should sell solar panels, heres the how.

Also Check: How To Build A Solar Panel From Scratch