3 Ways Technology Can Improve Solar Sales

The solar industry continues to thrive. California, Florida and Texas are leading the nation with continuous growth in demand for solar energy, and other regions are not far behind. However, in a market that is ever-changing, it is important to ensure that your company stays ahead of the pack when it comes to innovation. Hello, automation! Let’s dive into how you can integrate emerging technologies to improve solar sales. 

1. Optimizing shade analysis

It’s a sad fact that the sun won’t always be shining. Even when it is, objects like trees and water towers get in the way throughout the day, which is why analyzing and predicting times of shade is critical. Historically, system designers have estimated the amount of sun (or lack thereof) that a module receives with CAD, Excel or pen and paper. 

However, this process deserves a digital upgrade. Save your pen and paper for Sudoku puzzles, amd start utilizing software tools like HelioScope, which performs a shading analysis based on the amount of sunlight a module receives over an entire year. Software that runs the analysis for you will account for data from all times of the day and all seasons, even calculating the sun angle and sunlight down to the hour. 

 

Software that runs the analysis for you will account for data from all times of the day and all seasons.

 

2. Mimicking Mother Nature

It is no surprise that the most efficient of all solar tech ideas are born out of imitating Mother Nature, the most efficient of all. Flowers’ growth and source of energy from the sun comes from their ability to follow the sunlight throughout the day. Taking a page from nature’s book, smart technology like the Smart Flower utilize sun tracking to optimize solar energy for the entire day. Products based on biomimicry can improve solar sales because they:

• Are self-contained, quick and easy to install
• Can produce 40 percent more electricity
• Are unique and aesthetically pleasing 

 

 

3. Usage data for good use

One of the most important tools for solar sales – both to demonstrate initial ROI and to accurately project system demand – is gathering customers’ current usage data. Traditionally, installers ask customers to send or read off of one month’s utility bill. The problem is twofold: usage changes from month to month and does not give the full picture of a customer’s needs. 

 

Monthly estimates change over time and do not give a full picture of your customer’s needs.

 

Secondly, asking a customer to go and find a copy of their utility bill (often buried in their email inbox or in a recycling bin) creates an unnecessary hassle. Sometimes customers will even give up and give a verbal estimate of their monthly bill, leading to an even more inaccurate ROI estimate. 

With modern technology, solar installers can have access to a big picture view of energy usage straight from the source. The Urjanet Utility Data Platform connects directly to thousands of utilities worldwide, retrieving up to 12 months of accurate, complete usage data. By automating usage data collection, solar installers can streamline the customer experience, generate more accurate ROI estimates, and improve solar sales. Ah, the sweet sound of a win-win.

Take the leap to improve your solar sales 

The latest technology is already here. All that’s left is for you to make the leap into a better experience for customers and a stronger business. Set your business apart by implementing one or all three of these ideas to improve solar sales.

 

Ready to learn more? Get your free information on how Urjanet can help you streamline your customer experience, increase revenue, and get automated access to customer usage data from nearly 1,000 electric providers worldwide. 

You might also like:

• 4 New Utility Rate Policies Boosting Solar Rewards
• How to Maximize Your Solar Investment and Track ROI
• 2 Major Shifts That Are Changing European Solar Markets

---

---