Why Do It? …
That’s the question I got last Tuesday while at the Loma Brewery in Los Gatos (why am I at a Brewery on a Tuesday, especially when I barely drink…it has a coffee shop in back☺
Why do it? Why build a Client-Oriented Solar Company?
(BTW, I don’t like the term ‘customer’, it conjures up a transaction and not a relationship – the distinction is from one of my marketing hero’s, Jay Abraham).
My first thought when asked this question is ‘why not’? That response is more about me being a smart ass than telling the whole story.
This journey started about 2 year ago when I started talking with my now partner, Mike Thompson about the lack of good installers, the increase in productivity of the panels, and the dire state of the planet.
We decided that day to build a different kind of solar company – one that would use the latest innovations (like Smart Solar with Energy Curb and a rock solid warranty from CertainTeed) and be 100% focused on the Client.
In fact, we won’t be done when the solar gets installed…we will continue to look at ways to utilize other green tech solutions to lessen our collective carbon footprint and save money.
It’s not about personal income or individual success necessarily (I mean, I like money as much as the next guy). It’s more about doing the right thing and getting the word out about solar and the many financial AND environmental benefits.
Some people think going solar will cost them a ton of money.
Others think that financing solar with no money out of pocket is a scam. (I’m sure there are scammers out there, but going solar with no money out of pocket AND saving money on power is real!!).
Bottom line, I think it’s the right thing to do, and it seems there are so many installers doing it poorly, that Mike and I decided now is the time!
Residential Solar – Why Do It?
We in California have seen a home solar adoption rate of less than 2%. At the same time we’ve seen PG&E rate increases that have doubled inflation!
I don’t want to get into a tirade on PG&E, after all, there are some great people who work there.
But the company is mismanaged, they pay their executives way too much, and after claiming responsibility for the Santa Rosa and Chico/Camp fires, they have exposure for paying tens of millions of dollars as they move towards bankruptcy!
Suffice it to, say they have got their work cut out for them as they try to dig out of this massive hole they have created.
Back to the question – why build a solar company?
Let’s face it, what do I know about solar?
I’m not going to profess to know everything there is to know about solar, like my business partners Rob (who I call the ‘solar savant’, and who has installed and managed massive solar systems and spent years fixing broken systems and doing commercial maintenance) and Mike (who has financed thousands of systems over the last 8 years and seen 100s of installers come and go).
Both have not only helped many clients pick solar technology, but they also know what not to do and what doesn’t work.
I rely on them for the highly technical stuff, so we have that base covered.
But what I do know is this…
- The sun produces enough in an hour to power the planet for a year.
- Solar can be acquired for the average homeowner with no money out of pocket and still save money on their power bill.
- If we don’t figure out a way to lessen our impact on the planet, we are setting up our children and grandchildren to have a miserable existence.
- I do not want my grandkids looking back at our generation and saying “why didn’t they do something about this, they knew that they were damaging the planet back in the 1960s, but just kept polluting and not adopting green solutions…why did no one listen?!”
- Everyone talks about having a mission or a purpose in life to get you out of bed every day.
This is my purpose, and our mission at Golden Bear Solar is to dramatically increase the number of solar users and help California homeowners take their power back from PG&E.
I’m excited to get the word out about the advantages of solar AND how easy it is to install and maintain. We make the process as easy and cost effective as possible.
The federal tax credit can save even more money (which is going down next year), and with the many financing options, you can install a new solar system without spending a dime.
I’m excited to work with other environmentally conscious people in our community to extend the reach of solar and leverage this free power resource that could literally save our planet For future generations.
That’s why I’m growing a solar company!!
Got any questions? Join us from the comfort of your home for our upcoming Solar Power Happy Hour where we’ll answer your questions live.