May 14, 2015 | By RGR Marketing Blog

Solar’s Success Story

Not too long ago, the cost of solar power was quite a bit higher than it is today. In the last decade alone, the price of installing a photovoltaic system has fallen dramatically, due in no small part to technological advancements and cost savings associated with economies of scale. Third-party financing has also made going solar a much more viable option for those who were previously unable to afford the substantial up-front costs.

We’re now at a point where solar power has reached economic parity with purchasing energy from the utilities in most areas. True, the payback time frame is faster in some states than in others, but by and large, solar is an excellent investment, no matter where your clients live.

Your customers may still be a little bit hesitant, but once the rank and file realizes how much money solar energy can save them, even the most reluctant environmentalists and climate change deniers will be jumping on the renewable energy bandwagon.

Green Energy Versus Red Tape

But while the costs of solar technology itself have dramatically fallen, in many parts of the country, the onerous licensing and permitting processes remain. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that these “soft costs” can account for as much as 64% of the total cost of a solar system.

As a solar installer marketing your business, you’re probably aware of certain jurisdictions where obtaining the necessary permits for installing a solar system is an arduous and time-consuming process. These markets tend to be under-served by businesses like yours, because nobody wants to have to carry the inventory while waiting for permitting delays to be resolved.

Some suspicious souls say these regulatory quagmires are purposely implemented by politicos beholden to big energy; others say they’re just outdated laws in need of recalibration for a new era. Regardless of their origins, they can be costly and aggravating. Fortunately, hope may be on the horizon for red tape-weary solar installers and their clients.

Solar Permitting Thought Leaders

A few years ago, the state of Vermont introduced the country’s first standardized solar permitting law. Under the new program, solar registration and permitting only takes 11 days. Unless the utility raises concerns about a legitimate problem by day 10, permits are granted, and installations are allowed to go through as planned. The program has been quite successful, reducing permitting times from an average of 45 days to a mere 10.

California has also introduced a standardized solar permitting law. The Solar Permitting Efficiency Act, signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in late-2014, is designed to streamline solar permitting processes and prevent HOAs from levying unreasonable fees.

As California tends to be a national bellwether for public policy, it stands to reason that other states may soon follow suit. Here’s to hoping.

[Photo Credit: Silicon Beat]

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