Commercial solar power continues to boom with a new master services agreement between Envision Solar International and Morrow-Meadows Corporation, a full-service contracting company with operations along the West Coast. The MSA will enable the companies to accelerate the execution of commercial solar projects such as solar/electric vehicle charging stations under work orders for their expanding pipeline of clean and renewable energy projects with commercial, institutional, and utility customers. Envision is pleased to announce the execution of the first commercial solar power work order under the MSA and has commenced design and deployment of a 300kW Park Solar project in Arizona, which will be completed in the third quarter of this year. Read about other Commercial Solar Power Installations.

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221

Distributed Sun’s commercial solar power installation at the Hilton Hotel BWI Airport in Maryland was commissioned month. The commercial solar power installation is owned by Distributed Sun's Solar Energy Investment Company (SEIC). The Hilton Hotel BWI’s commercial solar power installation combines clean, on-site power with green power savings, generating nearly 60 megawatt hours of electric power per year, and over 2 gigawatt hours over its lifetime.  Read about other Commercial Solar Power Installations.

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221

Renewable energy in the future will include energy from a myriad of natural resources such as sunlight, wind, hydroelectric systems, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy with zero emissions was the recent message of Bill Gates at a conference.

Gate’s Renewable Energy Ultimatum: By 2050, totally rely on renewable energy that produces zero carbon emissions. Renewable energy can create a clean and beautiful planet. Learn more about renewable energy.

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221

It's the environment stupid! :)

The issue isn't a global warming myth, we need a healthy environment to live, 9.5 billion by 2050.

We spend our life savings & social benefits to prolong life.

However, we tolerate poising ourselves.

It reminds me of John Candy playing racquet ball while drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette. You laugh and cry for the guy.

Forget about a global warming myth.

Use polluted lands where we live and work for solar energy. More on the Global Warming Myth.

Gain financial independence and help the environment. If not you, who? If not now, when?

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221

California-based KB Homes and Chinese solar firm, BYD, have partnered to develop affordable solar homes in Lancaster.  

BYD Co. is known for producing plug-in cars, solar equipment, and batteries.  Now they have entered the renewable energy-real estate industry.  Combining powers with KB Homes has allowed for traditionally off-grid solar technologies to be introduced into a densely grid-tied residential area.

These modestly priced homes will be pre-equipped with solar modules and lithium-ion battery storage systems.  Normally, this technology is used in off-grid properties, but KB Homes and BYD hope that this new development will help pave the way for new impressions on residential solar energy and plug-in vehicles.

As opposed to traditional lead-acid batteries in off-grid electric systems, the lithium-ion battery storage systems will be located in the garage in dark, sleek housing units that flash led lights communicating performance levels.  They will be capable of storing up to 16 kWh of electricity.  The average Southern California household usually uses about 20kWh of electrcicity per day.  These lithium-ion ferrous phosphate batteries are the same that are used in BYD's plug-in electric vehicles which they will premiere later this year in Los Angeles.

Executive VP of KB Homes in Southern California, Thomas DiPrima, explained their goal was to first provide the solar panel-battery combo to the model home and four other production homes at no upfront cost to the homeowners.  The package would then bec ome optional to other homes in the West Lancaster subdivision and others.  These homes have starting prices from $210,000 to $257,000.

"Our long-term goal is to get to where we can do this nationwide," said Mr. DiPrima. "Our hope and our goal is to make it so affordable that it can be offered in a new home as a standard feature."

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221

Despite the global economic downturn, the solar market in the United States grew by 36% in 2009. To date, the United States is the third largest photovoltaic market in the world (behind #1 Germany and #2 Spain). 

The solar market is undergoing constant changes. Also the idea of photovoltaics has been around for over a century, only recently has it become mainstream. In 2009, changes include new companies entering the market, lower-cost panels, and changes in incentives and regulation. Solar companies need to be on top of these changes in order to remain competitive.

California leads the United States in solar installations. It has 53% stake of photovoltaic output. Most of the growth in 2009 came from utility and residential solar installations. Price cuts with minimal declines in incentives provided incentives to homeowners to install solar. In addition, new programs, such as the Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program, provided incentive for new companies to enter the solar playing field.

With so many states offering incentives to install solar, the United States is able to keep funding sources relatively disperse. This means that the United States solar market does not have the same risk as the national policies of Germany or Spain.

In addition, 16 states have enacted a Renewable Portfolio Standard. The Renewable Portfolio Standard gives the source of electricity production and requires a set amount of electricity production from renewable sources. Part of this standard is solar electricity production. 

In the next 5 years, the solar market is projected to grow to 4.5-5.5 gigaWatts. One gigaWatt is enough electricity for 70,000 homes. This is 10 times the size of the current solar market. With market growth like this, it is extremely tempting to enter the lucrative (and growing) solar market. 

Wanting to enter the solar market but do not know how? Contact Rich Hessler Solar (949) 208-0221 for ideas on how to enter the solar market.

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221

A core competency is an essential piece of the advanced pv sales process that impact success. All of these sales pieces are measurable, controllable, and trainable. Unfortunately, many pv solar sales organizations do not utilize these techniques.

Without a foundation of essential sales elements or pv advanced sales training, organizations have a difficult time closing deals. By working through each of the items of the sales cycle, solar companies can strengthen their sales team.

The most important task is to determine which activities are directly linked to revenue. Revenue is the way success is measured in sales. With this in mind, it is easier to determine what is and is not an essential component to sales. 

The sales process begins with lead generation. This includes lead referral programs, vendor collaboration programs (lead exchange), informational seminars, and other programs.

Once a company has a lead, it needs to be converted into an appointment. The Lead-to-Appointment ratio is an important indicator on the quality of the leads. A quality lead will turn into a sale while a poor quality lead will waste sales representatives’ time. 

The next step is for the salesperson to achieve the next step objective. Measuring this step will give the company information about the effectiveness of the salesperson. Finally, the salesperson needs to close the pv solar system to deliver the most important metric, a paycheck.

Each of the steps is measurable, allowing companies with advanced metrics to focus on the area needing the most improvement. With adequate pv advanced sales training, companies can obtain a quick improvement in their target metric. 

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221

The Los Angeles Business Council promises excellent jobs and 600 MW of electricity if the city can institute a solar finance program. The proposed solar finance program would be funded by the Department of Water and Power. It would allow Los Angeles to create 3% of its electricity from the sun and attract solar companies to the area to create jobs.

The program, which has been implemented in Florida and Germany, is already a success. It will encourage business owners and homeowners to install solar on their homes and commercial buildings.

All excess electricity generated can be sold back to the utility company at a set rate for the next 20 years.

Solar has already created 4,300 local jobs, but investment by the city of Los Angeles through solar financing would further propel the solar industry.

The program will be paid by the Department of Water and Power. It is estimated that the program will cost $35 million a year from its $4 billion budget. Already, the budget includes $800 million for renewable energy programs. By teaming up property owners, Los Angeles can deploy solar with this robust finance program.

Looking for Solar Finance for your business?
Contact Rich Hessler Solar 

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221

The United States Recovery Act has been bolstering up solar after the 2008 market slide (due to the world-wide recession). This is partially due to new solar financing options.

Advanced Green Technologies is working hard to put solar panels in with business owners. They are offering a 0-0-3 program, no down payment and interest free for 3 months. This would allow business owners to purchase a solar system, take advantage of tax credits, and pay down the loan before interest payments begin.

Tennessee Valley AUthority proposed adding nuclear reactors, but it is warming up to solar. It created a program, TVA's Generation Partners program, which will provide a $1,000 incentive for small solar projects. It has also guaranteed a price for buying excess electricity.

California started it's PACE program, allowing homeowners to pay back the city for a solar installation through property taxes.

When homeowners meet specific criteria, solar can be added to a mortgage during a refinance. This will decrease interest rates and increase the return on investment (ROI) of a solar system. 

Solar finance are starting to pop up all over the United States to encourage deployment of photovoltaics. Solar panels provide renewable, reliable electricity with no emissions after production and no moving parts. They have a 20-30 year electricity production warranty (and will continue to produce electricity for decades after that).

With these types of programs, it is inevitable that the price of solar will continue to decrease as demand for cheaper renewable energy grows stronger every year.

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221

PGE Finances SunRun Solar Installation

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Rich Hessler Solar Sales Training (949) 208-0221