Can I start a PV Installation Business??

[hakaveli]

Okay, so here's my situation. I'm a Business Major who is currently unemployed. I have zero experience and little knowledge in Solar Panel installs. But I have studied and received certificates in basic and automotive (DC) electrical theory and have extensive knowledge in various technology-related fields. I'm sure that with enough research I could learn to install a home solar panel system myself!

My father recently had an-off grid system installed in our home. The receipt says he paid $13,000 for Twenty (20) 250-watt panels. So he paid $13,000 for a 5kwH system (he got a "discount" because he agreed to give the tax credit to the company who did the install). I looked up the prices on-line for the components and I came to the conclusion that the parts themselves were less than 10,000 altogether. Being a business major I quickly began wondering if I could learn how to install these home grid photo voltaic solar panel systems myself and install them for other homeowners myself for a healthy profit? Assuming I can become a self-taught expert with a couple of successful installs under my belt (with the help of this forum and youtube):


1) Are there any factors I should heavily weigh before pursuing this idea?
2) Will the state (California) require me to achieve certain electrical-related certificates before I can install these types of systems in others' homes?
3) I landed an interview with a solar install company but for a sales position. Would it be possible to eventually move toward being an installer for that company (to get experience doing actual installs) or is that not the ideal way of going about it?


This is a summary of the sale position I have a Job Interview for this coming Wednesday:
Your Primary Role:
• Educate homeowners on the benefits of solar power.
• Describe the potential financial and environmental benefits.
• Show homeowners how easy it is to switch to solar power.
• Sign homeowners up to one of our many affordable solar programs.

Qualified Full-Time Consultants Receive:
• Paid training in hourly pay, commissions and bonuses.
• Uncapped commissions and weekly bonus incentives.
• Ability to earn monthly residual income from installed systems.
• Full benefits, including health, dental, vision, and 401K.
• Corporate sales trips for qualified reps.

Thanks in advance for any input you guys can give. I'd greatly appreciate it, and sorry for the lengthy post!

[tehan]

Try to get the sales job. You get paid to learn the business! And selling solar is a rarer and more valuable skill than installing solar.

[donald]

I agree. Sales is the way to go.

Marketing, sales, and running the business well is what makes or breaks this type of business.

[solar pete]

You need to be able to crawl before you walk. So go get the sales job and if they dont already do it ask about the NABCEP training, they do a course for beginner sales people that will be of great benefit I believe, good luck with it, cheers

[solarix]

Solar installation is not rocket science, but does need an electrician's license. You can easily hire people to do the work - the hard part is building the business. Solar is still not mainstream with the public (yet) so finding the progressive customer like your Dad is a challenge. But the potential (assuming the utilities don't kill us off somehow) for solar is great if solar can become the energy source of choice. Work for another dealer, learn the business, then go out on your own (just not in my territory please)

[Naptown]

Solar installation is not rocket science, but does need an electrician's license. You can easily hire people to do the work - the hard part is building the business. Solar is still not mainstream with the public (yet) so finding the progressive customer like your Dad is a challenge. But the potential (assuming the utilities don't kill us off somehow) for solar is great if solar can become the energy source of choice. Work for another dealer, learn the business, then go out on your own (just not in my territory please)

And please do the NABCEP training and uphold the code of ethics.
There are enough charlatans in this business already to the point that barely a day goes by without seeing some scam, over estimate of cost or production, lying about utility rates etc.
You want to do this then sales or working on an install crew is where to start. I suggest install Crew as it will teach you what it takes to estimate costs.
But keep in mind that this is a cutthroat business. A couple cents a watt could mean win or lose.

[peakbagger]

Unfortunately, large corporations have commoditized solar and many solar sales jobs are just high pressure commission based sales where ethics is a detraction.

There is also a significant potential for a "cliff" in the industry in about 18 months when the solar incentives go away. The incentives were originally intended to buy the price of panels down to point where they had a reasonable payback so that the volume went up. The price of solar has plummeted to the point where the fed rebate is not needed and is really just a raid on the treasury. Even though solar is now affordable I expect a major ramp up and then collapse in sales when the rebate goes away. The industry may recover but a lot of folks will get burned. If you want experience in high pressure sales and realize its only a 18 month job, the go for it. If sales is something you are good at, its a lifetime career and the experience you gain in those 18 months could be a good thing on your resume.

[North Texas]

Like others have said, learn the business while getting paid to do it. I can promise you its not easy to just jump in and get your feet wet in a new business you know nothing about. Been there done that, not solar though.

[Panelmal]

Without a construction backround and/or connections to the industry you are already planning to be in way over your head. Start with sales, when you do make a sale make an effort to show up to the job with the install crew. Bring coffee and tell them you want to help out and learn what they are doing. Offer to be the ground guy. Pay attention, take notes. Good luck.