Show notes
Get a 15% discount to attend Midwest Solar Expo with discount code: CPH15. www.MidwestSolarExpo.com/, the premier B2B solar and clean energy event in the region.
Solar is a want, not a need.
For that reason, solar contractors must find a way to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, delivering excellent customer service and making each install as efficient as possible.
So, what can a residential solar company do to promote a culture of quality and ownership among its employees?
Barklie Estes is President of Nova Solar, Inc., a residential solar company out of DC, Maryland and Virginia. With 15-plus years of experience in solar technologies and installations, Barklie's team is on a mission to create sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions in their communities.
On this episode of Clean Power Hour, Barklie joins Tim to explain what makes installing solar an inherently difficult job, and how he works to make his employees' lives easier.
Barklie discusses why ALL Nova Solar employees spend time in the field (himself included) and how a focus on efficiency allows his team of 9 to do 180 installs per year.
Listen in for insight around the mounting and racking technologies Barklie prefers and learn how consumers benefit from the commitment to quality and collaborative culture at Nova Solar.
Key Takeaways
What the residential solar market is like in the DC, Maryland and Virginia corridor
Why Barklie's team leads with savings when they sell residential solar
How Nova works with Solar United Neighbors of Virginia to promote solar-friendly legislation
The 2 key differentiators that set Nova Solar apart from its competitors
Why Barklie still does 2 or 3 installs a month as president of the company
What makes installing solar an inherently difficult job and how Barklie makes his employees' lives easier
Why ALL Nova Solar employees spend time in the field and how Barklie sets expectations when onboarding new team members
How a focus on efficiency allows Barklie's team of 9 to do 180 installs/year
How Barklie thinks about the soft costs of solar permitting and why it will be challenging but not impossible to get below $1/watt for solar in the US
How Nova Solar navigates the challenges of working with so many different jurisdictions and what state legislatures can do to promote standardization
Barklie's response to consumers who are nervous about their roof being compromised by solar
What mounting and racking technologies Barklie's team uses at Nova Solar
Connect with Barklie
Nova Solar
Email info@novasolarinc.com
Call (736) 679-8607
Connect with Tim
Clean Power Hour
Clean Power Hour on YouTube
Tim on Twitter
Tim on LinkedIn
Email tgmontague@gmail.com
Review Clean Power Hour on Apple Podcasts
Resources
Solar United Neighbors of Virginia
DOE Initiative to Reduce Soft Costs of Solar
National Solar Permitting Guidelines
Midwest Solar Expo [Discount Code CPH15]
Sponsor
Clean Power Consulting Group
Support the show
Connect with Tim
Clean Power Hour
Clean Power Hour on YouTube
Tim on Twitter
Tim on LinkedIn
Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com
Review Clean Power Hour on Apple Podcasts
The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com
Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/
The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com
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