As the world adjusts to a new normal due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, all businesses have been strategizing on the best way to move their business forward. For a lot of solar companies in the US, the main business model to drive sales, face-to-face selling, is being reexamined.  Human interaction does not stop at the sale, as site assessments and installations require the presence of workers to complete the project while maintaining social distancing guidelines.

Companies all over the country have already started adjusting in the form of e-permitting systems, virtual tradeshows, and virtual consultations that would have otherwise taken place at the homeowner’s kitchen table. As solar designs, proposals, and finance application processes are all now widely digital already due to the refinement of software, it’s easier than expected to shift other operations online.  

A little over 2 months into quarantine, some solar companies are publicly stating that they are thriving even without in-person selling, and it’s been reported that solar is rapidly growing in US cities. One company has even recently stated that while you may not want to “Zoom” with your family as your main form of communication, “…it’s a great way to let a stranger, or a sales person, into your home. It’s less disruptive, easier to schedule, and allows [sales reps] to get more answers from customer more quickly.”

Other companies are taking the opportunity to show easily a lot of position can be done remotely. A New Jersey-based installer, Suntuity, recently launched free virtual sales training series for those out of work or looking for a second income from home.

Here are the top 5 US Cities for recent solar growth:

  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • Honolulu
  • Phoenix
  • San Antonio

Read more about the future of virtual selling in the solar industry:

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/solar-growing-rapidly-in-us-cities-report/578785/?mc_cid=9b7ad4b437&mc_eid=832be1539b

https://calssa.org/covid/2020/4/2/san-luis-obispo-county-becomes-first-ahj-in-california-to-offer-instant-solar-permitting

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/coronavirus-is-forcing-solar-companies-to-sell-virtually-maybe-thats-a-good-thing

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