Neville Medhora: “In Austin they have started a program that allows residential homes to recieve up to a $5,000 check per year simply for having a solar system on your home (that generates a certain amount of power). You could offer free installation of solar panels on homes in exchange for these yearly checks. A lot of people would jump at the chance for “absolutely free” solar panels, especially in green-place like Austin. Outfitting a home with a solar panel system generally costs $15,000 - $20,000. For commerical buildings, the city writes checks of up to $100,000 per year. Looking out at my aparment complex, putting solar panels on each roof would be discreet and bring in 100 grand per year, plus save the complex tons of money. This was an idea I was pretty involved with for a while. The solar industry is becoming huge in the United States, take advantage of it!”
Neville Medhora on February 28th, 2005 at 7:54 am
It is a great idea isn’t it! Take a look at countries like Germany, and you will see the extreme popularity of solar power.
With the price of energy going up and becoming more scarce, solar energy is a great contender to help lessen the price of our energy consumption.
Thanks for the post Dane!
-Neville
Michael Trimble on February 28th, 2005 at 10:07 am
So residential ROI would kick in about year 5, assuming the muni funds don’t play out and the equipment doesn’t break? That’s a very, um, patient business plan, isn’t it?
Neville Medhora on February 28th, 2005 at 6:42 pm
The business would have to be heavily leveraged to make money right away.
One of the reasons I didn’t follow through with this plan is for that reason. The plus side is, you would hardly have any competition in the “Free solar power” field.
The concept is like buying a house for rental purposes. You focus on paying off the initial mortgage at first, but once it is paid off, everything is profit.
Rudy Rangel on September 9th, 2005 at 3:56 pm
Sounds like a great opertunity.
I wonder if California would do something like that. There is plenty of Sun over here. I am looking into staring this type of business thanks for the tip.
Rob Leonard on November 24th, 2006 at 10:56 pm
My question is , how can I get into the solar power industry coming from an urban area . Could you or someone help me out. Just point me in the right direction. I to realize the benefit and potenial of solar power. With the knowlegde that every roof top is $$$. It bother me that I could get left behind with this !!
Jessie on January 12th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Solar power, great idea. I am willing to go into a partnership with family and start a small local solar farm if permitted by locat and state……..Ca. Does anyone have any sugguestions on this idea…please comment.
Jessie
paul on January 28th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Dont know about the upfront investment idea- there is a no cost MLM open to anyone who wants to offer rental solar panels for a reduced cost in utility bills and help greenup the country- great opportunity to get involved save money and make money getting others to get involved.
http://SolarPowerMLM.com/
S. Toyonaga on March 2nd, 2007 at 3:11 pm
I was wondering, are there any solar power businesses that are interested in franchising with other countries?
It’s not a bad idea, I think. Italy just put out a budget law that all new buildings have solar water heaters. It’s a great way to make money, but what about a densly populated area like Japan, China or India?
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Ryan Vergara on June 28th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
I really hope somebody can give me an idea as to how to make Solar PV marketbale here in the Philippines, especially in our urban areas. Considering we are a tropical country, it will make all technical sense. But, unfortunately, lack of policy support from government hinder the propagation of this technology. Well, I hope to pioneer some sort of a solar urban boom here.
krishna on December 26th, 2007 at 12:01 am
I would like to start with a small business in solar energy. could some one guide me ho to go about this.
Jon-Erik on January 7th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Krishna please write me an e-mail at jonerik.dillon@hotmail.com I might have some ideas for you concerning the solar biz.
C. Lacquey on January 10th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I am very interested in this solar power business. Is there some sort of guide or start up website? Seems like a good business opportunity. Thanks for any help that might be offered.
Andre on January 17th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I am also very interested in a solar power business.I am living in South-Africa and we are currently experiencing huge blackouts throughout the country because of the national power supplier`s incapability to supply the huge demand that is currently experienced. I would like to start a business.Please help me with information.THANK YOU!
Charles Odeghe on January 24th, 2008 at 3:31 am
Hello Neville,
I would love to hear back from you. For almost a year now myself and my brother who currently works for a solar energy company have been thinking of opening a store. A store where we sell solar panels, heating systems for pools and more. There are also more stuff which I don’t want to really go into details here such as installation service and workshop for the community. Our location will be somewhere in California..
You stated above the in Austine, the state is giving out $5,000 check, if one does the installation for free, how do you get paid for the installation service? Because I know very few middle class ppl can afford solar service, and I think the govt should strategically develop a way for it to be more affordable.
I’m about writing up a business plan. I’m also interested in Ethanol production..
Expecting to hear bach from you…
Charles..
James W on February 20th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
http://www.solar4power.com/solar-power-retail-opportunities.html
I ran acroee this link but don’t have any experience with them.
aaron on April 21st, 2008 at 1:52 pm
ive got the best idea ever in the world including the solar powered plated:. If you would like to email me and ask eney questions about ideas or eney thing else feel free to ask meat : aaRon04270@aim.com
thank you,
Aaron
aaron on April 21st, 2008 at 1:52 pm
ive got the best idea ever in the world including the solar powered plated:. If you would like to email me and ask eney questions about ideas or eney thing else feel free to ask me at : aaRon04270@aim.com
thank you,
Aaron
Prem anand on May 7th, 2008 at 3:35 am
I am very passionate about solar energy and very well understand its potential in the coming years. In countries like india where i stay the power situtation is very bad. Please let me know if i can get any dealer opportunities for solar home lighting systems.
Scott Richardson on May 7th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Hello all
I am an Australian living in China for six years. I currently run an export business for many products including solar panels.
All procedures from PO processing to quality control and delivery are handled by an experienced Production team that go inot the factory and approve each process before shipping.. Our gurantee of quality and our excellent service has seen sales rise over 30% per month.
We mainly sell to distributors in Europe and the USA but are always open to new opportunities for partnership.
Regards
Shekhar Bhutkar on May 15th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Hi Scott,
I am Indian living in Australia for a few years. I am pasionate about the educating others about the Solar power conversions. I think as a business it has real potential for the Indian market to import solar power products into the market. Any website would you suggest to get an idea of the product range that can be availed?
ashok kumar on May 17th, 2008 at 3:48 am
I am also very interested in a solar power business.I am living in India and I believe I as a business it has real potential for the Indian market to import solar power products.
I would like to start a business.Please help me with information.THANK YOU!
Ashish Jain on May 19th, 2008 at 2:29 am
I just wanted to know more on solar power exploration in India. I am looking to set up a business in India on solar power segment.
Ashish Jain on May 19th, 2008 at 2:29 am
I just wanted to know more on solar power exploration in India. I am looking forward to set up a business in India on solar power system.
Todd on May 21st, 2008 at 9:46 am
Hi Scott,
I am building a solar system ownership/installation company- how can I contact you regarding your products.
Best
LokeMK on May 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 am
I am writing from Malaysia. Like all of you, i am looking for potential opportunities in the solar industry but found that the best bet would probably be in the downstream market.
I did some research and found that:
a) Solar PV industry has grosn tremendously at compounded growth rate of 50% over past 8 years
b) Due to the tremendous potential, VCs have poured in billion of dollar into this, but almost 90% of the investments were directed into upstream activities eg. cell and module manufacturing, silicon feedstock production etc. The upstream part of the industry also typically requires huge capital investments (which forms one of the entry barriers)
c) Hence I think one should look at the downstream part of the industry, where entry barriers are lower. This includes system integration and provision of solar monitoring services
d) Successful companies include Fat Spaniel (monitoring software co., which has recently raised USD 18m) and Mainstream Energy (system integrator, recently bought by REC, one of largest integrated solar player in world). In China, where solar installation is highest in world, several downstream players have successfully managed to raise VC funding and even, gone for IPO.
e) I dont have the required technical expertise, and solar installation is still at its infancy in my country (I am ex-VC). Technical expertise is probably the biggest entry in the downstream segment of the industry.
If you need advise on business plan/funding etc., please contact me at lmk55@hotmail.com
As I usually ignore emails from unfamilar addresses, please use Solar as subject headline
Good luck
Donnie on June 5th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I would like to learn more about the industry, I feel that social/political climate, here in Canada is ready for some bold entrepreneurs to help bring solar, and all renewable energy issues to the forefront of our household energy needs. Economics are forcing change onto us all, and I believe solar power is one way for individuals to take ownership of their energy needs. I am interested about being in the solar power business, any advice/guidance would be appreciated.
Jon-Erik Dillon on June 5th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Hi Donnie, I am currently in the Solar Thermal Market in Canada. I could give you some insight on which would be the best way to pursue. Please contact me on my hotmail account. Jonerik.dillon@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Jon-Erik
clara white on June 10th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
who you are buying the solar cell from?
Nimai Padhy on June 29th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Hello everyone,
I am desparately looking for some good business opportunities in Solar energy sector. Would appreciate if somebody provides me some pointers.
Also, please let me know if anyone is interested to partner with me.
Regards,
Nimai
aj on July 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I am interested in starting a solar power installation business. Can someone please direct me to the right direction. Many thanks, happy 4th of july.