The Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit – Is it refundable? Essentially every single homeowner in U.S. who purchases a solar PV system for their home is going to be applying for the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit (also often called the Investment Tax Credit or ITC), currently a 30% federal… Continue reading “The Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit – Is it refundable?”
The Four Categories to Qualify for the Low Income Community Bonus Adder The Low Income Community Bonus Adder provision in the Inflation Reduction Act is different from all the other bonus adders and the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) itself, because it is an allocated credit. That means there is a limited number… Continue reading “The Four Categories to Qualify for the Low Income Community Bonus Adder”
What Are Demand Charges for Commercial Customers? It’s often a natural career progression within solar sales to begin in residential solar and then progress to working with more commercial customers. The reason being is the sales cycle for commercial clients tends to be much more complex than… Continue reading “What Are Demand Charges for Commercial Customers?”
What are the Types of Manufacturer Warranties? Product Warranties. Performance warranties. Labor and installation support warranties. There’s a lot to compare when evaluating solar components for your projects. When home or business owners choose to invest in a solar energy system, the warranties provided by the manufacturers… Continue reading “What are the Types of Manufacturer Warranties?”
New Free Course Announcement: What is RETScreen Expert? Benchmarking, Feasibility, Performance, & Portfolio We all know that we need a lot more clean energy on the grid to curb climate change; although, it’s typically not easy knowing what exactly to do or where to start when it comes to clean energy project development.… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: What is RETScreen Expert? Benchmarking, Feasibility, Performance, & Portfolio”
New Free Course Announcement: Domestic Content Bonus Adder The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has opened up tremendous new incentives for solar projects – including a potentially lucrative 10% tax credit adder for using domestically-made components and products, known as the Domestic Content Bonus Adder. Although, actually qualifying for… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: Domestic Content Bonus Adder”
Learn the Basics of the Energy Community Bonus Adder Provision When we think about the term energy communities, as in the bonus adder provision included in the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re referring to legacy fossil fuel communities anchored in the extraction, processing, or generation of energy using coal, oil, and… Continue reading “Learn the Basics of the Energy Community Bonus Adder Provision “
What Are the Types of Solar Incentives? Solar incentives often make or break the motivation for a homeowner to get solar. Depending on the physical location, your client may be eligible for various types of incentives at the utility, state, and federal level. It’s important for solar… Continue reading “What Are the Types of Solar Incentives?”
What’s the Difference Between a Product and Performance PV Module Warranty? Manufacturer warranties on solar PV modules instill confidence for homeowners as well as for the companies who install them. These warranties provide assurance regarding the durability and energy output of solar modules, offering protection against defects and performance degradation over… Continue reading “What’s the Difference Between a Product and Performance PV Module Warranty?”
New Free Course Announcement: Inflation Reduction Act Solar Provisions: Direct Pay Elective Pay (more commonly known as Direct Pay) creates a pathway for nonprofit organizations to utilize tax credits. It was included as a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act passed in August 2022. Prior to Direct Pay, it was difficult… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: Inflation Reduction Act Solar Provisions: Direct Pay”
What is the Purpose of a Residential Solar Construction Agreement? Cultivating a thriving residential solar business involves so much more than installing solar equipment—it requires meticulous attention to the legal and logistical framework that underpins each project. At the heart of this framework lies the construction agreement, a cornerstone document… Continue reading “What is the Purpose of a Residential Solar Construction Agreement?”
What are Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)? Homeowners who produce solar energy on their property can generate solar renewable energy certificates (often called SRECs or RECs) based on the amount of clean energy their solar panels generate. These SRECs can then be sold to companies or utilities… Continue reading “What are Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)?”
What is the Residential Clean Energy Credit and IRS Form 5695? If a homeowner is purchasing solar for their home in the United States, undoubtedly, they will want to apply for the Residential Clean Energy Credit. Solar sales professionals need to understand the basics of this tax credit, so that it… Continue reading “What is the Residential Clean Energy Credit and IRS Form 5695?”
New Course Announcement: Customer Contracts & Agreements Residential solar systems come with contracts that span 20-25 years. Solar company staff need to become experts in each of the agreements and contracts that are utilized in the development and execution of residential solar construction projects, so that they… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Customer Contracts & Agreements”
What’s Winning Online Solar Sales? When it comes to the online solar buying landscape, the team at EnergySage is well positioned as a thought leader. Founded in 2009, EnergySage was created to educate homeowners about solar and the solar purchasing process. Back in 2012/13, they… Continue reading “What’s Winning Online Solar Sales? “
Tim & John’s “Clean Power Hour” Podcast Why did you decide to start your business? What are you hoping to accomplish this year? What makes you tick? Knowing these things are prerequisites for a positive work relationship, and they’re hard to learn from a website or a… Continue reading “Tim & John’s “Clean Power Hour” Podcast”
New Course Announcement: Commercial Electric Tariffs: Impacts on Solar Incorporating commercial solar sales into your business can be an advantageous income stream for residential solar businesses looking to diversify their revenue sources. There are many opportunities in this sector as companies, non-profits, and local municipalities look to reduce their… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Commercial Electric Tariffs: Impacts on Solar”
1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Webinar – Selling Solar-Driven Home Electrification in a Virtual World In today’s rapidly evolving market, online selling has become indispensable. Gone are the days where brick-and-mortar stores were the primary hubs for shopping. The post-pandemic digital age has ushered in a new era of convenience, accessibility, and efficiency, compelling all… Continue reading “1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Webinar – Selling Solar-Driven Home Electrification in a Virtual World”
How to Get Your NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification The NABCEP PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Board Certification was created for experienced solar sales professionals who have demonstrated knowledge in qualifying prospects, site analysis, conceptual system design, performance analysis and financial incentives of PV systems. PVTS Board Certified Professionals can… Continue reading “How to Get Your NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification”
Strategies to Succeed in Clean Energy Business Development With the clean energy deployment moving faster than ever, relatively new companies as well as new solar professionals are coming in droves to support the transition. With each new solar system on the grid, technicians and system owners must be… Continue reading “Strategies to Succeed in Clean Energy Business Development”