There is no doubt that the solar contracting business is booming. In fact, the SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) predicts that there will be a 25% – 50% solar market growth for 2016 with the largest growth being seen in the employment sector. This means more opportunities to become a solar contractor in this fast growing market.
The process to begin becoming a solar contractor in California is pretty much the same as any other contractor. Start by reading our checklist for starting a contractor business in California. In addition, there are a few more things that are specific to the solar industry to consider.
Enroll in Solar Certification courses
Ideally, you’ll want to earn a NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) solar certification as these are the most accredited. There are many courses available but some of the most popular programs are:
Sales, Marketing, and General Business Courses for a Solar Contractor
Whenever an industry is booming, so is the competition. You to get ahead and stay ahead of the competition. In order to do this, you’ll need to add some serious sales and marketing skills to your toolbox. Many of the solar certification institutes provide sales courses in their curriculum.
Furthermore, a solar contract can be quite daunting to a customer, especially if they’ve heard of some of the horror stories tied to solar leases and contracts. You’ll want to provide an easy to understand contract and lease to your potential clients so they not only understand the contract they are entering into, but also any additional implications.
Get Proper Insurance and Bonding
We mention it in our checklist, but we cannot stress enough the importance of having adequate contractor insurance coverage and secure contractor bonds. The last thing you want when starting a business is to get derailed by some unforeseen event. Insurance protects your business and gives you the sound of mind you’ll need to focus on a new business adventure.
If you’re ready to get a solar contractor bond, all you need to do is fill out the “Free License Bond Quote” form in the red box in the sidebar (or at the bottom of this page).
When you’re ready to get your solar business insured give us a call or fill out our free online solar insurance quote form to get started.
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