solar plant business plan

Solar Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their solar farm business. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a solar farm business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

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What is a Solar Farm Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your solar farm business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Solar Farm

If you’re looking to start a solar farm, or grow your existing solar farms, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your solar farms in order to improve your chances of success. Your solar farm business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Solar Farms

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a solar farms are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a solar energy farm business.

The second most common form of funding for a solar farms is angel investors. Angel investors are wealthy individuals who will write you a check. They will either take equity in return for their funding, or, like a bank, they will give you a loan. Venture capitalists will not fund a solar farms. They might consider funding a solar farms company with a locations across the country, but never an individual location. This is because most venture capitalists are looking for millions of dollars in return when they make an investment, and an individual location could never achieve such results.

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How to write a business plan for a solar farm.

Your business plan should include 10 sections as follows:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your solar farm business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of solar farms you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have an existing solar farms that you would like to grow, or are you operating a network of solar farms?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the solar energy industry. Discuss the type of solar farms you are running. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target market. Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of solar farms you are running.

For example, you might operate one of the following types:

• Crystalline Silicon Power Plant: this type of solar farms uses Crystalline Silicon PV technology.
• Thin-Film Solar Power Plant: this type of solar farms uses cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels.

In addition to explaining the type of solar farms you operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the solar farm business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the solar farm business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include sales goals you’ve reached, number of new attractions, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the solar energy industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the solar energy industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy particularly if your research identifies industry trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the market analysis section:

• How big is the solar farms industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your solar farms service. You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your solar energy business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

These are the main customers for the industry: Solar Power Utilities, and Federal Government.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of solar farms you operate. Clearly, commercial utilities would want different products and services, and would respond to different marketing tactics than government entities.

Try to break out your target market in terms of their location, and their wants and needs. With regards to location, include a discussion of the demand for solar energy for utilities’ renewable power portfolio standards. Because most solar farms primarily serve customers living in their same region, such information is usually available on local or county government websites.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your solar farm business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other solar farms projects.

Indirect competitors are other options customers may use that aren’t direct competitors. This includes traditional energy suppliers, other alternative energy providers, and other power plant contractors, such as fossil fuel and other renewable energy power plant contractors. You need to mention such competition to show you understand that not all energy needs will be met by a solar farms.

With regards to direct competition, you want to detail the other solar farms with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be solar farms located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What types of renewable energy technology do they use?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you use cutting-edge solar technologies?
• Will you provide options or automations that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you make it easier or faster for customers to engage your services?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a solar farm business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product: in the product section you should reiterate the type of solar farms that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific services you will be offering.

Price: Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place: Place refers to the location of your solar farms. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your solar farms located in a high-sunlight exposure area, or in a desert, etc. Discuss how your location might allow you to serve a greater volume of customers.

Promotions: the final part of your solar farms marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in trade magazines
• Attending trade shows
• Attending networking events
• Joining local organizations

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your solar energy business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your solar farms, such as researching and writing grants, maintaining solar panels, staying abreast of new technology developments, processing paperwork, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sign your 100 th contract, or when you hope to reach $X in sales. It could also be when you expect to purchase additional solar panels, or when you expect to launch a new solar farm location.

Management Team

To demonstrate your solar farms’s ability to succeed as a business, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in renewable energy or in power generation. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in renewable energy and/or successfully running small businesses.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $1,000,000 on building out your solar farms, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $1,000,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a solar farms business:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business and liability insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your solar farm design blueprint or location lease.

Putting together a business plan for your solar farms company is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the solar farm industry, your competition and your potential customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful solar farms.

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Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Solar Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Solar Farm Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Solar Farm business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their solar farms.

Solar Farm Business Plan Example

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Solar Farm business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Helios Solar is a startup Solar Farm company located in northern New Mexico.  The company was founded by husband and wife team Derek and Meri Smith. Derek has deep experience in the construction industry, and Meri has a background in accounting. The combination of these skills positions the couple to succeed in building and maintaining a solar farm. What’s more, Derek and Meri already own a 250-acre tract of land in sunny New Mexico.

Product Offering

Helios Solar has designated 50 acres on which it will install crystalline silicon solar panels with sun tracking technology. It will begin as a 5MW farm, with ample land for capacity growth. The company will keep abreast of solar technology innovations as it grows.

Customer Focus

Helios Solar will offer wholesale electricity to established utility companies in New Mexico and surrounding states.

Management Team

Helios Solar will be owned and operated by Derek and Meri. Derek will oversee the physical operation of the farm, while Meri will oversee the administrative side.

Derek Smith has a background in construction, and is a graduate of Solar Energy International, and subsequently earned a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification as a PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist.

Meri Smith is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She has been working at a local accounting firm for over a decade as a CPA. Meri’s experience in accounting has given her the skills to manage the company’s finances, and the knowledge to steer the company to financial stability and success.

Success Factors

Helios Solar will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified PV experts
• An ideal location in New Mexico, with ample room for expansion

Financial Highlights

Helios Solar is seeking $2 million in debt financing to launch its solar farm. The funding will be dedicated towards installing solar panels and payroll of the staff until the farm reaches break even. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Hardware (modules, inverters, mounts, etc.): $1.7 million
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
• Overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $200,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

To supplement its funding requirements, Helios Solar intends to apply for government grants and take advantage of incentive programs for the installation of solar equipment.

Company Overview

Who is helios solar.

Helios Solar aims to deliver utility-scale solar power, starting with a 5MW capacity. The husband and wife team is highly qualified and experienced in PV maintenance, accounting, and financial reporting.

Helios Solar History

Helios Solar is owned and operated by Derek and Meri Smith, a former construction manager and certified PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist (Derek), and CPA (Meri). Derek has worked for a large construction company and oversaw a variety of construction projects in the Albuquerque metro area. Derek’s tenure with the construction company, as well as his education in PV maintenance, combined with Meri’s financial acumen has given them the skills and knowledge required to venture out and start their own company. Derek and Meri have been awarded contracts with two large utility companies, which guarantees Helios Solar stability while they work to increase capacity.

Since incorporation, Helios Solar has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Helios Solar, LLC to transact business in the state of New Mexico.
• Has cleared and prepared a 5-acre parcel of land for PV installation, and constructed an office building nearby.
• Reached out to numerous utilities in order to start getting wholesale contracts.
• Began recruiting PV maintenance workers, and office personnel to work at Helios Solar.

Helios Solar Services

Industry analysis.

The Solar Power industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $18.3 billion.

The growth will be driven by the large expansion of government spending is set to support the solar industry as the push toward renewables accelerates. Electric power consumption is expected to increase slightly, but is expected to continue its shift toward renewable sources and away from fossil fuels.

The Solar Power industry in the United States is growing rapidly, underpinned by a combination of favorable government incentives and consistent technological advancements. Furthermore, solar power falls into the emergent green energy sector and benefits from rising public and private support.

Costs will likely be reduced as PV panels continue to gain efficiency and manufacturers compete to drive down the price of producing the panels. Solar Farms have also benefited from attractive tax credits and requirements for downstream utilities to diversify energy holdings and integrate renewable energy into their portfolio.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Helios Solar will target utility companies in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.

The precise data for these target states are:

Customer Segmentation

Helios Solar will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Non-profit utility companies
• Corporate utility companies
• Government administered utilities

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Helios Solar will face competition from other companies with similar business models. A description of each competitor company is below.

Sunrise Solar Power Plant

Sunrise Solar is a 794 MWp (614 MWAC) photovoltaic power station in California, near the Mexican border. The facility was developed and constructed in three phases.

The first phase was commissioned in 2014, and supplies 266 MW under a 25-year agreement. The third phase was commissioned in 2018, and provides 328 MW using 2.8 million thin film panels. Phase two was commissioned in early 2020, and provides 200 MW.

The plant users more than 3 million thin-film CdTe photovoltaic modules and 138 skids which rotate on a north-south axis tracking the path of the Sun, and produces enough energy to power 72,000 homes.

Sun Mountain Solar Facility

The Sun Mountain Solar Facility is an 802 megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant. The plant entered service on December 1, 2010. It is co-located with three other solar projects in the region, thus forming a more than 1 gigawatt (GW) solar generating complex.

100 GW·h/year from phase 1 has been sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Power generated from phase 2 has been sold under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA).

This solar complex creates enough electricity to power 200,000 homes. It sits on 4,000 acres of land and has about 4.3 million solar panels. The facility has been built in phases and the first one came on line in 2010, with the rest following in 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2021.

Badlands Solar Park

Badlands Solar Park is one of the largest solar parks in the US. The park is spread over a total area of 7,000 acres, and has a total capacity of 2,000 MW. It is expected to eventually have a total capacity of 3,000 MW. The project is a joint effort between state-owned energy companies, which provide electricity across the country. Construction on the Badlands Solar Park began in 2016.

It was built in four phases:

• Phase I – 420 MW of capacity
• Phase II – 250 MW of capacity
• Phase III – 500 MW of capacity
• Phase IV – 250 MW of capacity

Competitive Advantage

Helios Solar will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Local, family-owned operation, with highly-qualified PV experts
• Helios Solar stays abreast of all technology developments, takes care of all maintenance and property improvements, and delivers an accurate and complete set of financials each month.
• Helios Solar offers the best pricing in town. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Helios Solar will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Highly-qualified team of PV experts that provide a comprehensive set of solar services (financial, accounting, marketing, maintenance, and improvements).
• Unbeatable pricing to its clients – Helios Solar does not mark up its services at a large percentage. They will offer the lowest pricing in the region.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Helios Solar is as follows:

Professional Associations and Networking

Helios Solar will become a member of solar associations such as Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), American Council on Renewable Energy (ACRE), and Solar Energy International (SEI). They will focus their networking efforts on expanding their brand recognition and relevance.

Print Advertising

Helios Solar will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at solar industry networking events.

Website/SEO Marketing

Helios Solar will maintain a well-organized and informative website, which will list all their services. The website will also list their contact information. The company will also hire a digital marketer to enhance their website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that Helios Solar’s website will be well-positioned at the top of internet search results.

Helios Solar’s pricing will be moderate and on par with competitors so clients feel they receive value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Helios Solar.

Operation Functions:

• Meri Smith will be President of the company. She will oversee the office and manage client relations.
• Derek Smith will be CEO of the company. He will oversee field operations: performing installation, maintenance, and upgrades to the solar array.

Milestones:

Helios Solar will have the following milestones complete in the next eight months.

5/1/202X – Finalize construction of office space

615/202X – Finalize property preparation and solar array planning

8/1/202X – Installation of racks and mounts

12/1/202X – Installation of solar array

12/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events

1/1/202X – Helios Solar opens its office for business

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Helios Solar are the electricity fees they will charge to utility companies for their services. Most other solar energy wholesale companies charge $83 per MWh; Helios Solar will initially charge $80 per MWh.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required to maintain and upgrade solar arrays. The major expenses will be payroll, and hardware purchases.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of MWh Per Year: 1,750
• Average Fees: $27/MWh

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Solar Farm Business Plan FAQs

What is a solar farm business plan.

A solar farm business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your solar farm business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your solar farm business plan using our Solar Farm Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Solar Farms?

There are a number of different kinds of solar farms , some examples include: Crystalline Silicon Power Plant, Thin-Film Solar Power Plant, solar panel farms, renewable energy and alternative energy providers.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Solar Farm Business Plan?

Solar farm businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

A well crafted solar farm business plan is essential to attract any type of potential investor.  This is true for a new solar farm, a solar energy business plan and a solar panel business plan.

What are the Steps To Start a Solar Farm Business?

Starting a solar farm business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Write A Solar Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed solar farm business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include market research on the solar farm industry and potential target market size, information on the services and/or products you will offer, your mission statement, marketing strategy, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your solar farm business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your solar farm business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Solar Farm Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your solar farming business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your solar farm business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Solar Farm Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your solar farm business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your solar farming business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising to attract potential customers.

Learn more about how to start a successful solar farm business:

• How to Start a Solar Farm Business

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Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Solar Farm: Cost, Location and Profit Potential

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on December 22, 2021 Updated on July 3, 2024

Investment range

$1,020,400 - $2,070,700

Revenue potential

$240,000 - $600,000 p.a.

Time to build

3 – 5 years

Profit potential

$216,000 - $540,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Solar power is worth $185 billion globally and still seeing explosive growth. With your own solar farm — a large field of photovoltaic panels linked to the grid — you could generate good money while also doing good for the environment.

The initial investment of about $1 million is considerable, but there is an alternative: if you own or buy a sizable piece of land, you could lease it to your local utility company, which would then build and maintain the solar farm and pay you a share of the revenue. After some years, you might be able to take financial control of the farm and expand further.

Either way, starting a solar farm is challenging and requires time and hard work. Starting off with the right knowledge is crucial, and this step-by-step guide provides all the information and insight you need to begin building your solar empire.

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Every business has pros and cons that you should consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

• Eco-friendly – Solar power is good for the environment
• Good Money – Profit margins in solar are high
• Minimal Work – A solar farm need servicing just 3-4 times per year

High Startup Costs – Building a farm costs $1M and up

Solar industry trends

Since the US instituted a major tax credit for solar projects in 2006, the US solar industry has grown 100-fold, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.(( https://www.seia.org/initiatives/solar-investment-tax-credit-itc ))

In terms of trends, the storage capacity of solar batteries has increased in recent years, which helps stabilize the solar grid on your farm and reduce wasteful production. In addition, a rising number of US households are installing solar panels. Shipments of solar modules for residences increased a stunning 33% in 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration. Homeowners can also sell excess energy from their solar panels to the power company, as 40 states allow homeowners to do so.(( https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=49396 ))

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – Research firm IBISWorld values the US solar farm market at more than $11 billion, a 26% increase from its value a decade ago.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/solar-farm-developers-united-states/ ))  
• Growth forecast – The US solar energy market is predicted to grow at least 17% per year through 2027, according to Mordor Intelligence.(( https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/united-states-solar-energy-market )) 
• Number of businesses – There are nearly 7,500 solar farm developers in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/solar-farm-developers-united-states/ ))
• Number of people employed – US solar farms employ more than 42,000 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/solar-farm-developers-united-states/ ))

Trends and challenges

Trends in solar farms include:

• Increasing use of solar batteries with higher storage capacity
• More US households installing solar panels
• Strong demand for clean, renewable energy
• Growing concern over climate change

Challenges in solar farms include:

• High initial investment in solar panels
• Supply chain issues to impact solar panel production

Consumer spending

• Average consumer spend – An American family spends $1,450 a year on electricity.(( https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/average-cost-of-solar-panels/ ))
• Potential customer base – Almost half of Americans were considering solar panels.(( https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/features/will-americans-go-solar/ ))
• Average prices – A solar panel in the US costs $20,498 on average.(( https://news.energysage.com/how-much-does-the-average-solar-panel-installation-cost-in-the-u-s/ ))

Price differences across the country

• More expensive – A 10-kw solar panel is most expensive in Washington D.C., Indiana, New Mexico, New York, and Rhode Island, with the price ranging from $31,500 to $34,100.
• Less expensive – The lowest prices for a solar panel are in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Delaware, and Utah, with prices ranging from $23,300 and $26,300.(( https://news.energysage.com/how-much-does-the-average-solar-panel-installation-cost-in-the-u-s/#cost ))

What kind of people work in solar farms?

• Gender – 77% of solar energy engineers in the US are male, while 23% are female.(( https://www.zippia.com/solar-energy-engineer-jobs/demographics/#gender-statistics ))
• Average level of education – 65% of solar energy engineers hold a bachelor’s degree.(( https://www.zippia.com/solar-energy-engineer-jobs/demographics/#degree-level-types ))
• Average age – The average age of a solar energy engineer is 43 years old.(( https://www.zippia.com/solar-energy-engineer-jobs/demographics/#age-statistics ))

How much does it cost to start a solar farm business?

Startup costs for a solar farm range from $1 million to $2 million and more. The lower end is for a one-megawatt farm, which is the minimum you need for the power company to be interested, and assumes you already have 6-8 acres of land. The higher-end is for a two-megawatt farm and includes a down payment for the land purchase. If you instead decide to lease your land to a utility company, they will pay for the farm’s development and your costs will be next to nothing.

How much can you earn from a solar farm business?

The per-acre profit of a solar farm runs between $20,000 and $40,000, with an average of $30,000. After costs your profit margin should be about 90%.

Development

If you have a 20-acre property and you develop only eight acres into a solar farm, bringing in $30,000 per acre. Your annual revenue will be $240,000, and your profit will be $216,000. As you gain more customers, you could fully develop the entire 20 acres. You’ll be earning $600,000 in annual revenue and $540,000 in profit. You could expand your farm over time by using your profits to purchase more land and add to your grid, thus increasing your income substantially.

If you lease your land, you can probably earn $2,000 per acre per year. With 8 acres at $2,000 per acre, you’ll make $16,000 in annual revenue and at least $14,000 in profit. If you lease out the entire 20 acres, you’ll make $40,000 in annual revenue and $36,000 in profit. It’ll be a good source of passive income.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a solar farm. Your biggest challenges will be:

• Costs to develop a solar farm are high
• A sun-drenched swathe of land
• Permission from the utility, which can take years

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a solar farm, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market.

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

You should research whether your land is right for a solar farm. You should look for:

• Minimum of 6-8 acres, flat and no flood-risk
• At least four peak sun hours daily
• No regulations in terms of conservation
• Within a few miles of the power grid

What? Determine your solar farm revenue strategy

You need to determine if you want to lease your land or develop your solar farm. By leasing your farm, you can start with minimal cost, but make far less money. With a farm, your revenue potential is much higher, but your upfront costs are significant.

How much should you charge for solar?

The price you charge for power will be dictated by how much the power company is willing to lease your land for. A good lease could mean $2,000 per acre per year. Strong revenue for a developed solar farm is $30,000 per acre per year. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this our profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will be power companies and solar developers. You should find them via internet search and contact them directly via phone or email.

Where? Choose the location for your solar farm

The location of your solar farm is a critical factor in its success. Look for a location with plenty of sunlight, minimal shading, and adequate land availability. Consider the proximity to the power grid and transmission lines, as well as any regulatory requirements for solar farms in the area.

Additionally, assess the local demand for renewable energy and the potential market for your solar farm’s electricity. Consider the economic and political climate in the area, as well as any incentives or subsidies that may be available.

When selecting your location, consider factors such as access to water, soil quality, and any environmental considerations. The right location can help optimize your solar farm’s energy production and ensure the sustainability of your operation.

By carefully choosing the location of your solar farm, you can establish a profitable and sustainable business that contributes to the growth of renewable energy and helps combat climate change.

Step 3: Brainstorm a Solar Farm Company Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better
• The name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “solar” or “solar power”, boosts SEO
• Choose a name that allows for expansion: “Bright Future Solar Farms” over “Commercial Solar Farms” or “Residential Solar Farms”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that set your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Solar Farm Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: Outline the goals and strategies of your solar farm business, emphasizing renewable energy production and potential contributions to the regional power grid.
• Business Overview: Describe your solar farm’s operations, including generating solar energy and selling it to utilities or directly to consumers.
• Product and Services: Detail the core service of electricity generation using photovoltaic panels, and any additional services like energy storage or leasing solar equipment.
• Market Analysis: Assess the demand for renewable energy in your region and identify potential buyers like local utilities, businesses, or government entities.
• Competitive Analysis: Compare your solar farm to others in the area, focusing on factors like energy output capacity, technological efficiency, or location advantages.
• Sales and Marketing: Outline your approach for securing contracts and partnerships with energy buyers and other stakeholders in the renewable energy sector.
• Management Team: Highlight the experience and qualifications of your team, especially in areas like renewable energy, project management, and environmental regulations.
• Operations Plan: Describe the operational process of your solar farm, including installation, maintenance of solar panels, and energy distribution.
• Financial Plan: Provide an overview of financial aspects such as investment costs, revenue models, and long-term profitability projections.
• Appendix: Include supplementary documents like site plans, environmental impact studies, or power purchase agreements that support your business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business!

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as sunnier states could offer real advantages when it comes to solar farms.

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your solar farm will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just needs to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

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Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN.

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method, but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Venture capital : Offer potential investors an ownership stake in exchange for funds, keeping in mind that you would be sacrificing some control over your business.
• Friends and Family : Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding : Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best options, other than friends and family, for funding a solar farm. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.

Step 8: Apply for Solar Farm Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a solar farm business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Solar farms are subject to strict review processes through federal, state, and local regulators. They also require permission from a power company. The process for approvals usually takes 3 to 5 years.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your solar farm as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business.

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.

You can use industry-specific software, such as quickbase , 3 megawatt , or enact , to manage your solar installation and measure energy generated.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

Your clients are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Identify Your Target Market : Understand who your primary customers will be. This could include local businesses, government entities, and residential communities. Tailor your marketing message to address their specific energy needs and concerns.
• Leverage Green Credentials : Emphasize the environmental benefits of solar energy. Highlight how using solar energy reduces carbon footprints and supports sustainable living. This can be a strong selling point for environmentally conscious consumers.
• Utilize Digital Marketing : Create a strong online presence with a professional website showcasing your solar farm’s capabilities, benefits, and services. Use social media platforms to engage with your audience, share relevant content, and build a community around renewable energy.
• Content Marketing : Develop informative content that educates your audience about solar energy, its benefits, and how your solar farm contributes to the energy landscape. Blog posts, videos, infographics, and webinars are effective tools.
• Partnerships and Networking : Collaborate with local businesses, environmental groups, and educational institutions. Networking can lead to partnerships that not only expand your market reach but also provide mutual benefits.
• Government Incentives and Policies : Stay informed about government incentives for renewable energy and use this information in your marketing. Educating potential clients about available subsidies or tax breaks can be a persuasive marketing tool.
• Community Engagement : Engage with the local community through events, sponsorships, or educational programs. Building a positive community presence can enhance your brand and increase local support.
• Testimonials and Case Studies : Share success stories and testimonials from satisfied customers. Case studies demonstrating the effectiveness and savings from your solar farm can be compelling evidence for potential clients.
• Competitive Pricing Strategies : Ensure your pricing is competitive and offers value for money. Consider flexible pricing models to attract a wider range of customers.
• After-Sales Service and Support : Highlight the quality of your customer service and after-sales support. Providing excellent service can lead to referrals and repeat business.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your solar farm meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your solar farm could be:

• Stable supply of clean, renewable energy 
• Efficient solar storage solutions
• Maintenance-free and environment-friendly 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a solar farm business would include:

• Maintenance Workers – Maintain your solar panels and grid
• General Manager – Oversee maintenance, accounting

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need.

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent.

Step 13: Run a Solar Farm – Start Making Money!

Solar power is the future of energy and it’s good for the planet since it’s clean and renewable. By starting a solar farm, you’re doing your community a service and making money at the same time. 

The US solar market is worth more than $11 billion and growing rapidly, which means your solar farm should provide sizable profits with little effort once it’s up and running. Alternatively, leasing your land for a solar farm costs essentially nothing but will add a nice stream of passive income . Now that you have the information you need, you’re ready to start building your solar empire!

• Solar Farm Business FAQs

If you develop a solar farm, once it’s up and running, you should make $30,000 per acre per year. If you lease your land for a solar farm, you can make $2,000 per acre per year.

You will need to contact federal, state, and local regulators to start the permitting and approval process, which can take 3 to 5 years. You will also need to contact the local power company for approval.

The general rule is 6 to 8 acres at minimum. This is enough to develop a 1-megawatt solar farm.

Conduct a thorough site assessment to determine the optimal location for installation, considering factors such as sunlight exposure, shading, and structural integrity. Follow manufacturer guidelines and industry standards for the installation process, including proper mounting, wiring, and electrical connections. Regularly inspect and clean the solar panels to remove dirt, dust, or debris that can reduce their efficiency.

Solar farms provide several environmental and sustainability benefits, including:

• Renewable energy generation: Solar farms harness sunlight to generate clean and renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Carbon footprint reduction: By displacing energy generated from fossil fuels, solar farms contribute to reducing carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions that contribute to climate change.
• Water conservation: Solar farms have minimal water requirements compared to other forms of energy generation, reducing strain on local water resources.
• Land preservation: Solar farms can be built on existing open spaces, including unused or degraded land, minimizing the need for new land development.
• Local economic benefits: Solar farms create job opportunities during construction and ongoing operations, stimulating local economies and providing long-term revenue streams.

Best practices for managing and monitoring solar farm operations include regular maintenance and inspection of solar panels and equipment, monitoring energy production and system performance, implementing remote monitoring and control systems, establishing a preventive maintenance schedule, conducting periodic performance assessments and analysis, and providing staff training and education.

To assess the potential solar resource and energy production of a solar farm, you can conduct a solar resource assessment using historical solar irradiance data, perform a feasibility study including a site visit, and utilize solar modeling software or online tools that consider parameters like panel type, tilt angle, and shading.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Solar Farm Company Name
• Create a Solar Farm Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Solar Farm Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Solar Farm - Start Making Money!

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• How to Write a Business Plan for a Solar Farm

Writing a business plan forces solar farm operators to focus on the details of the business, understand the risks, and establish a roadmap for future growth. It can also be used to attract and secure funding.

The document should include the usual elements found in a business plan (detailed below), along with some information that is unique to a renewable/alternative energy business, such as a feasibility study and environmental mission statement.

Business plans can be created at any time, such as in the early planning stages or when a business has already been operating for some time but could benefit from a roadmap.

How Long Should the Business Plan be?

A business plan can vary in format from a full-length, multi-page document to a “lean” plan  that fits on a single page. Take the plan’s intended usage into account when deciding on the format; for example, venture capitalists or other lenders expect a detailed plan, while a lean plan is easier to update regularly.  

Standard Business Plan Elements to Include

All business plans – including a business plan for a solar farm – should include the following standard information:

• Executive summary: A summary of key points from all of the following sections, along with a clear explanation of the plan’s purpose (i.e. asking for grant funding).
• Identity: An explanation of what the business does (supplying solar energy plus any other services). Include the company name, address, mission statement, and a summary of operations.
• Market analysis: This section could include an outlook for the renewable energy sector, industry analysis, and customer profile(s). Indicate whether the solar farm will generate electricity for utilities, individual customers, government entities, or other organizations.
• Customer needs : What needs will the company serve? In this case, a solar farm will meet consumers’ needs for renewable energy. How will the business match its capabilities to customer requirements (such as reliability or low costs)?  
• Products and services: Detail the amount of energy that will be generated over time as the solar farm grows. Use electricity costs from traditional energy producers and other renewable energy providers to put your product in context in terms of price, efficiency, and reliability.
• Sales and marketing: How will you promote and sell electricity to the different customer groups identified above? This section should include sales channels, marketing partners, and advertising strategies.
• Competition : Who are the key competitors (traditional energy suppliers and other renewable energy suppliers). What unique value proposition/competitive edge will your solar farm have over its competition?
• Rate structure: What will the business need to charge for its product to compete with other providers while recovering start-up and operating expenses, including maintenance? 
• Finance : How will the solar farm be financed before it begins to pay for itself? What level of funding is sought, and what will be done with the money?
• Income projection: When is the solar farm expected to see a positive cash flow?
• Personnel: Key employees, roles, and responsibilities.
• Partnerships: List of third-party partnerships (such as solar panel makers) necessary for the success of the business.
• Milestones: A roadmap showing key goals and targets for the future.

Elements Specific to a Solar Farm

• Environmental mission: While many business plans include a nod to sustainability in their mission statements, this often takes precedence in the mission statements of solar farms. A mission statement might read: “Our mission is to help our customers reduce their energy consumption and environmental impact through the use of solar energy, in turn helping the planet fight climate change.”
• Land and environmental conditions: A description of the land on which the solar farm will be located, including in its potential to accommodate future growth. May include detail about topography and weather conditions that would impact the efficiency of the solar farm.
• Feasibility study: A 3 rd -party analysis of the solar farm’s potential, taking into account factors such as location, topography, and weather patterns.
• Assets: Include a list of currently-held and future solar panels and other assets, including PV cell efficiency and lifespan. When writing about the acquisition of future assets, keep in mind that solar panel technology has steadily improved in terms of efficiency and lifespan.
• Cost analysis: A one-megawatt solar farm will require at least five acres and cost around $2.5 million to build . The cost analysis and plan for profitability should, therefore, allow for significant upfront costs and a lengthy period before seeing positive cash flow.  
• Systems: The current and future IT systems (including IoT) necessary for operating the solar farm.
• Certifications and associations: Ensure you research and adhere to the licenses or professional certifications required in your state, such as electrician’s license, construction license, or (if applicable) a rooftop contractor’s license. Consider obtaining certification with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners and joining the Solar Energy Industries Association .   
• Regulations: Include a health and safety plan for staff operating the solar panel farm.

Single-use or Live Business Plans

Some business plans may only be intended for a single purpose (such as securing funding), then put in a drawer and never used again. However, business plans can also be used as a “live” document that is updated and referred to regularly. While some parts of the plan will stay the same, others (such as milestones, personnel, and market analysis) should be updated several times a year.

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Knowledge Base

13 thing to consider when writing a business plan for a solar farm 2.

Solar farms are the energy source of the future. According to research , the solar energy market is expected to more than double by 2024. Turning your solar farm business idea into reality will demand a plan that portrays and explains your vision and mission. That formal document is known as a business plan. All you need to do is learn how to write one.

A well-written business plan can benefit you in several ways. You’ll prove that you have thought out this idea down to every detail, show how the idea can be realized, and attract investors.  So, if you want to build a strong foundation for the realization of your solar farm business, you’ll need to dedicate yourself to writing a spotless business plan. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. 

Here are the 13 crucial things you should take into account when writing a business plan for a solar farm.

The Language of your Business Plan

As a formal document, a business plan needs to be clear, focused, and relevant. You’ll need to set and use appropriate language and tone throughout the entire document.

That means you’ll need to apply these simple rules:

• use ordinary, everyday language
• don’t use jargon
• avoid overly technical terminology
• don’t use poetic language
• be straightforward

To put it simply, you should opt for simple and inviting language. For example:

• Our business goal is to become one of the top solar farms in the United States. Our plans include collaboration with leading solar panel manufacturing companies that will help us comply with the high standards of the leaders in the solar industry.  

The Length 

There is no strict rule on how long the business plan should be. It all depends on your intent. 

The length can vary from a single page to a multi-page document. Adapt the content to the purpose. 

For example, venture capitalists will probably expect a detailed plan. However, if you want to start with an outline and make updates regularly as you come to an agreement with the other party, a lean plan will suffice.

Therefore, don’t feel obliged to fill the pages with words if your entire plan can fit on just a couple of pages. Instead, focus on value and information, and make sure every word you include in your business plan counts.

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Executive summary

Now, we can discuss the actual elements and sections of your business plan. The first one is your executive summary.

As you may have guessed, this section needs to summarize the key points of your business plan. The executive summary should lead the investors (for example) into the story, and make them interested in reading the whole document.

Concisely explain:

• your reasons for creating the plan 
• what makes you the right business for investment, collaboration, etc.
• why are you so passionate about this plan?
• what makes you think it will be a huge success?

If you plan to present the business plan to different readers (e.g. investors, bankers, or customers) adapt the summary to their interest in your business. The executive summary should clarify why reading your plan is worthy of their time. 

If you nail this section, you’ll up your chances for sealing the deal.

Company information

The next thing you should do is provide some basic information about your company. Those reading the business plan will like to know a bit more about who you are and what type of a business do you run.

So, start with a simple introduction. Cover the basics that will explain who you are, what you do, and what you plan to achieve. The information you can list in this section is:

• the company name
• address and geographic reach
• when and why you established the business
• how you’ve improved over the years
• your environmental mission
• your vision statement

This section should help those reading the plan understand your business on a more personal level, and potentially gain some more trust in you as a partner.

Share the valuable information they’ll care about and present your business properly. 

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Products and services

After you finish introducing yourself and your business, you should move on to the actual products and services that your solar farm is going to offer.

Write down what you offer and how your products and services align with your goals. You should be very specific about:

• the amount of energy your solar farm will produce (monthly, yearly, etc.)
• the number you plan to reach with the growth of your solar farm
• your ideas on the expansion of your products and services
• your expectations for returning the investment

You can also portray your products’ reliability and efficiency by comparing the costs of traditional energy producers with your solution. Or, you could differentiate your products from what other renewable energy producers offer.

Make sure that you list everything your business will provide. For example:

• supply of power
• solar panel installation
• solar panel repair and maintenance

The more details you provide, the more professional you’ll come across as. They need to see you’ve thought this through to the smallest details, and you’ll leave nothing unplanned.

Market analysis of Your Solar Farm

Another thing that potential investors or partners will want to know is whether or not there’s a need for a solar farm on the market you’re targeting. That means that you should add proof that you’ve done a thorough market analysis.

To achieve that, you’ll need to elaborate on the main factors of the market you’ve analyzed:

• industry analysis
• predictions for the renewable energy sector
• demand for your services (customers’ needs and requirements)
• for whom your solar farm will generate electricity (e.g. government entities, individual customers, organizations, etc.)
• 3rd-party analysis of your solar farm’s potential

Show them that you know the market well enough and you’ve gathered the data necessary for making an appearance on it. 

Without this data, your business plan may seem like just another shot in the dark.

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Competitors 

A marketing plan depends largely on the competition you have on the target market. And, without analyzing the competitors, you won’t be able to predict the potential success of your business plan.

That means you need to provide an analysis of your competitors. That includes reflecting on your unique value proposition. In this section, you should form the advantages of your solar farm in two aspects:

• how your business will stand out among competitive solar farms, large hydroelectric utilities, or wind turbine farms
• how your solar farm will gain market share from traditional well-established energy suppliers?

Cover your strategy to stand out, offer something new, and get the attention of the people your business will depend on. You need to show you understand the current trends and competitors on the market and have a clear idea of how to deal with them.

Target Customers 

Next, you’ll need to elaborate more on the specific target group of people or businesses that you’ll try to win over. You need to show you’ve analyzed them and gathered enough information that will help you understand their needs.

So, in this section, you’ll need to define your target customers. You could divide them into several different target groups such as:

• government entities
• large businesses
• enterprises 
• individual customers

For example, you can share that you’ll engage in a direct marketing approach and offer different packages to different clients that suit their budget, industry, and demand.

Make sure to show you’re ready to take on any target group and have specific strategies to reach their attention and offer them exactly what they need.

It’s impossible to launch and maintain a solar farm on our own. You’ll need to surround yourself with professionals who’ll make a great team and help you make this business plan a success.

Make sure to include them in your business plan.

Write about your organizational structure and list the following:

•  key employees
•  their responsibilities
• the hierarchy of management
• team organization
• specific tasks they’ll cover

It would be a great addition to this business plan if you already had specific people in mind for different positions in your team. If so, make sure to include concise, professional biographies of key personnel to prove their expertise in that field.

This will give additional points to your plan and make it seem much more professional.

Describing your objectives and milestones will prove that you don’t only have a vision – you have a thought out plan. Create a roadmap that showcases your targets as well as approximate deadlines.

That means you should further elaborate n:

• phases of your plan’s development (preparation, realization, assessments, et.)
• details and timeframes for each of the phases
• steps you plan on taking to achieve different goals you’ve set

If you’ve already covered some relevant steps such as obtained certification with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners , list that as well. The readers of the business plan should be aware of your accomplished milestones.

Financial plan

Every business plan needs to cover the budget. You have to show that you’ve got the numbers for your solar farm figured out, and you’ve calculated all the details for your financial plan.

Here’s what you need to show:

• cost analysis and profitability plan need to show that your solar farm is a worthy investment
• considering that a solar farm asks for significant upfront costs, justify those costs
• calculate how much time you’ll need to get to a point of investment return
• calculate how your income will grow over time
• list potential funding sources like government grants or bank loans

Explain your plan for a cost structure that will lead to a positive cash flow. Also, specify how the solar farm will be financed before it starts bringing income. 

Your financial plan will be the most interesting point for some people, so make sure you show your professional side in this section.

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Include Solid Proofs

Everything that you cover in your business plan needs to be supported with solid proof. You can’t just ask the investors to trust you for it. You need to show them you’ve done your homework.

Therefore, make sure to include:

• case studies
• market research studies

Show credible data that you used to construct your plan and make sure that it comes from trustworthy and reliable sources.

This way, your business plan will be solid and effective. It will show your professionalism and will give you the integrity you need.

Finally, you have to make sure your business plan is accurately written and 100% polished. You don’t want to allow any mistakes to find their way into your final version of the business plan.

This is important because potential investors, partners, or any other professional involved in this process will be disappointed to see:

• a grammar mistake
• weak punctuation
• spelling errors

Therefore, make sure to edit and proofread the plan before you finalize it. 

You can even hire professional editors or writers from writing services such as TrustMyPaper and TopEssayWriting to help you out. They’ll spot and correct any type of mistake, inconsistency, or confusion. 

Don’t settle for anything less than perfect.

Concluding Thoughts

Even though the business plan needs to be modified to your specific needs, the above-mentioned insights will push you in the right direction. Take your time to craft a business plan that will present your solar farm in the best light.

Bear in mind that a business plan can be a live document. It can be changed and rearranged for different purposes. Therefore, always make sure that the plan you write will resonate with the people who’ll read it.

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How to start a solar business — the basics

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Note: This blog was originally published in February 2021. It was updated October 25, 2023 to reflect recent information. If you have any questions, please contact us .

The solar industry is growing, and its sun is still just starting to rise. Solar power continues to lead the way when it comes to renewable energy — and arguably energy in general. According to SEIA data, in the first half of 2023, 45% of all new electric capacity added to the US grid was from solar. 

Likewise, solar installation professionals is among the fastest growing professions in the United States. The trade is projected to enjoy a 22 percent growth rate between 2022-2032, and the 2022 median income was $45,230 per year. 

This data represents a promising prospect for contractors looking to cut their teeth in this exciting business. If you’re wondering what it takes to start your own solar business, this post is for you.

How to start a solar business — beginnings

Of course, there’s much more to solar installation than slapping up panels: there’s general contracting, roofing, metal fabrication, sales, repair and maintenance, consultation, landscape design, and so much more.

The best place to start a new solar business is between the cracks of large, over-saturated markets. Find out what solar professionals are doing in your area by checking in with local SEIA chapters and chambers of commerce, and conducting internet searches. It’s highly likely that even if your market is saturated with traditional solar businesses, you can find a niche that only you can fill.

Solar incentives

Becoming an expert means more than knowing your product. It requires having your finger on the pulse of the various rebates and incentives available, an important differentiator for companies looking to get ahead of the pack. Businesses that do the research to save their customers time and money have a leg up when it comes to getting the contracts.

Solar sales

Starting a solar business doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need a crew up on roofs installing panels. If sales is your thing, there are many businesses that focus on just that. 

These companies do all the work of selling solar systems : getting leads, qualifying them, doing in-home or virtual consultations, and getting the customer to sign. Once a customer has signed on, these organizations then work with a contractor that takes care of the rest of the installation process.

With the recent improvements in solar sales software, it’s easier than ever to stand out from the crowd. Click through this Tourial to see how Aurora’s reimagined Sales Mode can help you sell with confidence and close more sales.

Solar installers

Solar installers are usually the most saturated business in the market. If you’re wondering how to start a solar installation business , you might want to start at the basics: Roofing. If you’re a roofer, solar installation could be a great option to add to your business. The solar and roofing industries are starting to converge, and for good reason. Solar panels and roofs have about the same lifespan (approximately 25 years), and savvy roofers are realizing the one-two punch of installing a new roof and solar system simultaneously. Whether you’re a roofing contractor or solar installer, there’s a lot of overlap between the two, and plenty of untapped market opportunities for incorporating roofing and solar into your business plan.

What is a PV system?

Before we move on, let’s take a quick look at how a PV system works to get a better idea of how you can make money building one.

How does a solar photovoltaic system work?

Solar panels convert the energy of the sun into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. When a photon hits a photovoltaic (PV) device, its energy knocks electrons in the material. These electrons begin to flow, producing an electric current.

At a high level, the process of how solar panels works involves three primary steps:

• Solar cells within solar panels absorb light from the sun, which causes electric current to begin flowing.
• An inverter converts DC electricity to AC electricity .
• This electricity is used to supply current energy demands in the customer’s building and excess electricity beyond what the customer can use is exported to the grid (or used to charge a battery).

The photovoltaic process occurs at the solar cell level. Solar panels are composed of multiple cells, and PV systems are a series of solar panels wired together (called “ stringing ”) to provide appropriate voltage to the system’s inverter.

After a PV system is installed , there’s nothing standing between a customer and cheap, green energy.

Solar company licensing & certifications

Solar licensing.

Not every state requires solar licensing, but some do. Keep in mind that if you’re planning on working outside of your home state, you’ll need licenses for any state you want to work in. For states requiring licenses, you’ll often need a plumbing or electrician license, or both. Some states require a specialized solar contractor license.

Check here to check on what type of licensing you may need in your state, region, or municipality.

Solar certifications

Even if you don’t need a license to operate in your area, earning a solar certification is a great idea. Solar certifications are an important way to promote customer confidence, putting you ahead of the average uncertified business. 

Certification can also lead to more income, with certified solar professionals earning an average of $11,000 more annually. Getting certified may also allow you to operate in more than one municipality or state, increasing your competitiveness.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) voluntary certifications provide national standards for PV professionals, certifying they have the skills, experience, and competency to set themselves apart. NABCEP’s certifications include :

• PV Installation Professional (PVIP)
• PV Design Specialist (PVDS)
• PV Technical Sales Professional (PVTS)
• PV Installer Specialist (PVIS)
• PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS)
• PV System Inspector (PVSI)

Set up your solar business

You’ve nailed down your niche, identified solar certifications and licenses, and are ready to make the jump. Let’s take a dive into how to start a solar business from the ground up, starting with the legal stuff first.

Establish an LLC

An LLC, or limited liability company, is a business structure set up by state statute. LLCs provide several benefits, including liability protection, flexible structure, and tax advantages. They provide the same limited liability as a corporation but are much cheaper and easier to form and operate.

In most states, getting an LLC entails choosing a name, selecting members (which can include just you), creating articles of organization and operating agreements, and getting an EIN (employer identification number). You’ll then need to obtain any seller’s permits and licensing required by your state. Check your state’s LLC requirements for more information.

Business insurance

The right insurance coverage is essential to mitigate potential risks and liabilities. Every contracting business must meet general insurance requirements, but there are a few considerations specific to the solar industry. Here’s your solar business insurance checklist:

• General liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation
• Automobile liability insurance
• Excess/umbrella liability insurance

Most contractor general liability insurances provide a minimum of $500,000 coverage. Keep track of your inventory, equipment, and properties, and get the right insurance that would cover the worst-case scenario. Do yourself a favor and get the right insurance before you even land your first contract. Click here for an in-depth look into the right solar business insurance .

Establishing a solar team

1. how to find salespeople.

Salespeople are the backbone of most solar businesses. Regardless of your niche, chances are that someone on your team is making at least part of their paycheck knocking on doors and making phone calls.

When seeking out a salesperson, here are three elements to consider when vetting your candidate pool:

• Knowledge about your niche
• Passion and persistence
• Familiarity with questions and concerns that customers have about solar

It’s crucial that you foster a culture of customer satisfaction in all of your employees, but salespeople in particular. They are usually the folks leading your conversion process and are often the face of your business.

If an in-house sales team isn’t feasible, there are several options available for sales outsourcing. Many businesses exist that specialize in outsourcing solar sales for installers, consultants, and retailers.

2. Ramping up a team

Start out with nothing but the best right from the gate. Find team members that are NABCEP certified (see above). If your team isn’t certified, give them the time and resources to do so.

Make sure your salespeople, installers, marketing team, and others know the ins and outs of your product. Give everybody on your team the time and resources to learn about your product and services.

Your dream team doesn’t have to be all employees. Network with other solar experts outside of your niche. They will become invaluable sources of help and referrals if you keep at it.

3. Setting up compensation structures

Solar salespeople are usually paid by commission. Commission payouts are usually paid as a percentage of the total contract price or as a cut of the base contract price. 

Commissions have various pros and cons. On one hand, they can motivate your teams to work hard. On the other hand, commissions may encourage your salespeople to sell more than a customer needs, take on cost-prohibitive projects, and inflate project costs above market rates.

Read more on common commission structures in the solar sales industry today.

Pro tips: Avoid these solar sales barriers

There are many barriers when it comes to getting a solar business off the ground. Here are three common ones that can be easily solved with the right solar software.

Incorrect or inefficient designs

It’s all too easy to under- or over-engineer a solar system. Incorrect or inefficient designs are a surefire way to sink your business. Aurora Solar’s sophisticated solar design software uses technology like LIDAR-based shade analysis and AI-assisted 3D modeling to give you a pixel perfect design almost instantly — without a truck roll.

Electric quotes from customers

Customers are often wary of providing their electricity bills. Just a few days can mean the difference between landing a new customer and losing them, so make this process as seamless as possible for your customers.

Most electric customers receive a bill in the mail every month. If they don’t, they can likely access it online from their utility. Either way, Aurora can provide a forecast of year-round energy usage from just one month’s bill — taking into account factors like weather, HVAC, and more.

Take this opportunity to remind your customer that making efficiency upgrades in the home could drastically improve energy efficiency. 

And don’t forget to study up on the net metering rules for your state. Being able to sell excess power back to the grid can be a huge selling point for solar installations.

Permitting problems

Flawed designs can lead you straight back to the drawing board. If a solar design isn’t compliant with state or local regulations, your plans will be rejected. Collecting and reporting permit-related project data constitutes up to 8% of soft costs associated with solar, owed largely to mistakes and regulatory bottlenecks. 

Aurora’s Plan Sets Service expedites your post-sales permitting process. It’s also a great tool for new businesses looking to scale without the growing pains and backlogs of permitting — Aurora can handle any growing volume of plan sets you need.

See how it works in the Tourial below.

Starting a solar business takes research, investment, time, and leadership. But, it can be worth the effort, providing a great career in a growing and fulfilling industry. 

When you do start your business, make sure you have a software solution that sets you up for success. Schedule a free demo today to see how Aurora can help you get started in the solar industry.

Ready to learn more?

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How to Prepare a Business Plan for a Solar Farm

• Small Business
• Business Planning & Strategy
• Preparing Business Plans
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How to Set Up an Alternative-Energy Company in Texas

Main steps in business planning, how to write an operating plan.

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Solar farms utilize a large-scale deployment of solar panels to generate renewable electricity for sale to utilities, government entities, individual consumers and organizations. A business plan is a formal document that provides a road map for a company's startup and growth in early years. Preparing a business plan for a solar farm can help you to think through all of the implications of starting a business in the growing alternative energy sector, and can help you to obtain financing and investment to get off the ground.

Create an overview of your company covering your mission statement, industry and a snapshot of your operations. Discuss the need that your company serves, and any industry trends that support the viability of establishing a solar farm, in addition to your company's name, address and geographic reach. Describe your company's form of organization, its location and its competitive advantages.

State the purpose of the business plan in this section in concrete terms: include the exact amount of funding or any other response the plan is intended to solicit from the reader.

Write an overview of your products and services. Describe the amount of electricity that will be generated by your solar farm, and detail your plans for the future expansion of your services. Compare the electricity produced by your business with traditional utilities and other alternative energy providers in terms of price, reliability and scalability.

Craft a marketing analysis section. Analyze your your competitors and target customers in this section. Your primary competitors are likely to be large-scale alternative energy suppliers, such as other solar farms, wind turbine farms and large hydroelectric utilities. Analyze the traditional energy suppliers—coal, natural gas and nuclear utilities—in your region and discuss your company's plan for gaining market share from these well-established powerhouses.

Your target customers are likely to be established utility companies, large businesses and government entities.

Create a financial plan section, including projected financial statements and ratio analysis. Large deployments of renewable energy technology, such as solar farms, require extensive capital resources at startup, and feature a cost structure that decreases over time as the expensive technology begins to pay for itself. Discuss possible sources of funding, including bank loans, stock offerings and government grants. Grants are likely to play a large role in the initial funding of an alternative energy company.

Write a personnel plan. Include an organizational structure chart showing the layers and hierarchy of management, and present brief professional biographies of yourself and your executive team. Discuss the number and types of staff that will be employed in the solar farm's initial years. Consider keeping your staff to a minimum as long as possible in this type of business, using third-party labor for the installation of your solar equipment, and employing a small work force for maintenance and upkeep in addition to a small office staff.

Create an executive summary, and use it as the first section in your business plan. Provide a brief overview of each business plan section, highlighting the information that is most important to the specific reader of the plan. Consider altering your summary slightly to suit different readers—whether bankers, investors or even potential customers.

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David Ingram has written for multiple publications since 2009, including "The Houston Chronicle" and online at Business.com. As a small-business owner, Ingram regularly confronts modern issues in management, marketing, finance and business law. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts in management from Walsh University.

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Solar Energy Business Plan Template & Guidebook

How to write a solar energy business plan in 7 steps:, 1. describe the purpose of your solar energy business..

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Solar Energy Business.

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your solar energy business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

Target market

Customer base , product or service description, competitive analysis, marketing channels, form an llc in your state, 4. write your operational plan., what equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a solar energy business, 5. management & organization of your solar energy business..

The second part of your solar energy business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

6. Solar Energy Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a solar energy business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a solar energy business.

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your solar energy business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your solar energy business plan:

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Energy Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a solar energy business, who should you ask for help with your solar energy business plan.

You should ask a solar energy expert or consult with a solar energy company specializing in developing business plans. Alternatively, you could also consult with an experienced business consultant or financial advisor who has experience in creating business plans.

Can you write a solar energy business plan yourself?

Related business plans, home inventory business plan template & guidebook, home inspection business plan template & guidebook, home decor business plan template & guidebook, health and wellness business plan template & guidebook, hauling business plan template & guidebook, hardware business plan template & guidebook, handyman business plan template & guidebook, hair extension business plan template & guidebook, handbag business plan template & guidebook.

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

Starting Solar Installation Business Plan (PDF)

Solar energy has become a buzzword in the energy industry as more people become environmentally conscious and look for alternative energy sources. Solar energy is a popular choice among individuals and businesses as it is clean, renewable and easily accessible. The demand for solar energy has been increasing and shows no signs of slowing down. This has created a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs to start solar installation businesses. The International Energy Agency has predicted that by 2050, solar energy will be the largest source of electricity globally. Many governments provide financial incentives that encourage individuals and companies to install solar systems, further pushing up the demand of solar. The cost of solar panels has been declining over the years, thus many households and companies are opting for solar as it is becoming more affordable. As more businesses and homeowners become aware of the benefits of solar energy, the demand for solar installations will continue to increase, creating a growing market for solar installation businesses.  This article will outline how to start a solar company business, and the solar installation business plan (PDF, Word & Excel).

Market Research

The solar industry is not the same in every place you go to. The dynamics vary greatly so you must research about the solar industry for your context. You must find out the general trajectory of the solar industry. As in, what are the demand areas? Which solar-related areas is your respective government taking keen interest in? Which solar products and services are people developing a rising interest in? What are the solar industry trends, forecasts, and projections? Find out about the applicable laws and regulations governing the solar space. Then find out who the key players in the solar installation space are.

Dig into the types of services and possibly products they offer. Find out the types of customers they serve and how big their customer pools are. Research on where they source their solar supplies from. What are their business and pricing models? The insights you draw from all these aspects will help you build a successful solar installation business. You will be better positioned to come up with a superior and unique value proposition. This is important because the solar industry is becoming more competitive as more players enter the space.

Location And Premises

The solar panels installation business involves lots of movement to and fro clients. Choice of location depends on the type of clients you will be serving. It could be residential, commercial, or industrial clients. When choosing a location for your solar installation you need to consider proximity to clients. It is ideal to be close to your prospects. That way you can deliver your services faster. Plus it will reduce transportation costs. You also have to consider proximity to your supplies or suppliers.This is also to avoid delays and to minimize operating costs. Your business premises should be spacious considering the nature of the solar installation business. You will need storage space, parking space, waiting area, working area, and the like. Your business premises should be easy to access and secure. It is also strategic to make your premises alluring so as to lure prospects. Work with designers to make your outlet(s) unique and attractive. The cost of purchasing or leasing the premises should be included in your solar installation business plan.

The bulk of your capital goes to sourcing the equipment you need for doing solar installations. That will largely depend on the types of solar systems you will be specializing in. Some of the examples of equipment needed are solar panels, hybrid inverters, solar charge control units, batteries, ladders, solar cables, drills, solar switches, wire strippers,  solar breakers, racking systems, screwdrivers, accumulators, and lights, amongst others. You will also need personal protective clothing and applicable hand and power tools. Storage equipment will be necessary. Office equipment will be needed for your base of operations. Having a vehicle for your solar panels installation company is crucial. This business involves a lot of travelling; from your offices to clients places for things such as site assessments, installations, and maintenance, thus having a vehicle is a must. The vehicle should be suitable for transporting staff, tools as well as the solar products. You can purchase a van or a truck for your solar installation business. The solar panel installation business plan should cater for the costs of purchasing the vehicle and equipment.

Products And Services

Most solar installation companies do both solar sales and installations. Solar panels are the main product sold by solar installations companies, and they come in various sizes and types to fit different applications. The products that you can sell include solar panels, invertors, batteries, charge controllers, solar geysers, solar lights and other components necessary for the installation and maintenance of a solar system. The services offered by solar panel installation companies include site assessments, design of solar systems, installation of solar systems, solar maintenance and repairs, consultancy and r etrofitting services . Furthermore, some solar installation companies offer education and training services to help customers understand how to choose and use their solar systems effectively and efficiently. Your solar company business plan should clearly outline the products and services offered by your business.

Management And Staff

For a solar company to run efficiently, it requires a team of skilled employees with diverse expertise. The number of employees will depend on the scale of your operations. The solar installers are responsible for conducting site assessments and installing the solar systems. A manager is required to oversee project and staff management, as well as the day-to-day operations of the solar business. Sales and marketing staff are necessary for promoting the business and selling its products and services to customers. Additionally, accounting and finance staff are essential for managing the finances of the solar installation business.  The salaries of all your staff should be included in your solar panels installation business plan.

Your market research will guide you on which customer pools you should target. The truth is that the demand for solar products and services is bound to increase. Any household, commercial property or industrial property is a candidate for solar installation (and more). You just have to empirically target the right prospects. The market is broad because it spans from recently constructed properties to ones that have existed for years.

In the solar installation business you need to employ modern marketing techniques. Some of those marketing techniques include digital marketing, influencer marketing, brand ambassadorships, and the use of foot agents. Have alluring, active, and up to date social media accounts and a website. Use every solar installation gig as a basis for social proofs that you will use to lure more customers. Take high definition visuals such as photos and videos of your work. A proper marketing strategy should be included in your solar company business plan.

Pre-Written Solar Installation Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the solar installation business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive solar installation business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the solar shop business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the business, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global solar panel installation business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your solar company business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. This is a complete business plan for a solar installation business. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the solar panels installation business.

Uses of the Solar Company Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The solar company business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your solar installation business
• As a solar panels installation business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the solar installation business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Solar Panels Installation Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The business plan for a solar installation includes, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in the solar installation business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your solar shop business

The solar company business plan package consists of 4 files

• Solar Installation Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 83 Pages)
• Solar Installation Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 83 Pages)
• Solar Installation Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 46 pages)
• Solar Installation Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the costs, salaries etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change. 

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Solar Installation Business Plan (PDF)

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We wish you the best in your solar installation business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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Solar Energy Farm Business Plan Sample

Published Mar.01, 2014

Updated Apr.24, 2024

By: Noor Muhammad

Average rating 4.7 / 5. Vote count: 3

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Table of Content

Do you want to start solar energy business plan?

Are you interested in starting a solar energy business? In this age of renewable energy, this might be one of the best business to start. And the best part is its simplicity. You don’t need a degree or professional training to start a solar energy business. Just the basic know-how is enough.

Whatever the business may be, you will need the help of best business consultants . They will guide you in making a solar farm business plan. This is a very important step when you want to learn how to start a solar panel business. Here, we have shown how to write a small solar farm business plan .

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Sun Rise Energies will be a solar energy business started by Ben Stark. It will provide all solar energy related services in and around Chicago. This business will provide various services such as procurement and installation of solar energy panels, maintenance and supply.

2.2 Management of Solar Energy Business

When you are starting solar panel business, you will need a good solar farm business plan first and foremost. You can take help from professional business planning firms for this. Alternatively, you can also refer to this document when you are learning how to start solar company.

In solar farm business plan , you should include all the technical, financial and management details related to your solar panels franchise.

2.3 Customers of Solar Energy Business

Since everyone is joining the green energy bandwagon, our customers will not just be limited to one domain. Our customer base will include work places as well as residential areas. However, our recurring customers will be:

• Residential Towns
• Small/ Large Businesses
• Educational Facilities
• Individual Residences

2.4 Business Target

The man aim of our business is to be the primary suppliers of solar panels for business. We want to become the most reliable and authentic source of all solar energy related services that our clients need.

The financial targets that we want to meet in the first three years of our launch are shown below:

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Ben Stark will be the owner of Sun Rise Energies. Stark completed his technical training under the guidance of an industry giant a few years ago. And then he proceeded to work up to a managerial position in a home-appliance business.

But he wanted to pursue his goal of starting a business in solar energy. And so he left his job to start this venture.

3.2 Why the solar energy business is being started

Being in the appliances industry, Ben was already aware of and interested in the rise of the renewable energy services. He saw that despite the popularity, there was still a lot of demand of solar energy ventures. And so, he started looking how to start an energy company to apply his own knowledge of the industry.

3.3 How the solar energy business will be started

Step1: Plan Everything

One of the foundational steps in starting a solar energy business is developing a business plan on solar energy. This acts as the basis for the success of your business. So getting this step right is crucial. You can take help from solar energy business plan pdf pdf samples from the internet. Or you can ask solar farm business plan experts for advice. You can also look through this document to learn about everything you need to have in a strong business plan.

Step2: Define the Brand

The second step is to make your brand stand out from its competition in the industry. You have to refine and market your values, services and exceptional policies in this step to gain competitive advantage.

Step3: Establish Your Corporate Office

In order to start up his business, Ben decided to rent out a shop in a commercial building. He will talk to his supplier for all the relevant equipment and furniture required for the store.

Step4: Establish a Web Presence

Setting up an online presence is just as important as a physical store in our digital age. Ben knew this and decided to create a simple website where people can look through the store’s services and products and even order them. Ben has also decided to create social media pages for his store to get greater reach.

Step5: Promote and Market

The final step is to create a marketing plan and execute it to its completion.

Services of Solar Energy Business

Before you start any business, you need to find your customer base. Figuring out your customers helps in the development of your solar farm business plan . And same is the case for solar system business plan.

As Ben wanted to offer not just products but also services in his business, so his solar energy plan business plan can be used as a reference for any type of solar farm business plan . You can use this solar energy business plan doc to understand what you should write in your plans.

Before we get into the details of how to get into solar business, let’s take a look at the services Sun Rise Energies will provide:

• Sale of Solar Equipment

We will sell all basic solar energy equipment that is listed below. And our customers will be able to seamlessly shift to using renewable energy sources.

• Solar Panels
• Solar Inverters
• Solar Power Batteries
• Solar Powered Appliances (fans, bulbs, toasters, water bottles etc.)
• Solar Power Bank
• Solar Powered Watch
• Product Installation

As a part of our versatile business plan solar energy company, we will also provide services related to installation and user guidance of solar energy products. We will provide:

• Solar Panel Installation
• Solar Invertor Setup
• Solar System Use Training
• Maintenance of Products

We will also provide maintenance of solar energy products. This will extend to products that were not necessarily installed by us.

• Consultancy

Our last service will be consultancy regarding energy related goals of our customer and how to attain them in their homes or workplaces.

Marketing Analysis of Solar Energy Business

Learning how to open a solar panel installation business involves a lot of research. You need to know about both your customers and competitors in detail. You can do this by conducting a thorough market analysis as part of your solar energy farm business plan. You should also include price analysis and expected financial goals in your solar business proposal.

excellent work

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

If you don’t understand all the details related to marketing analysis, then you can just take a look at a solar business plan template like this one for guidance. For starting a solar power company, we have included some information gained from market research in this solar installation business plan .

5.1 Market Trends

According to SEIA’s solar industry research data, the solar industry received more than $25 billion private investment in just 2020. And according to Allied Market Research, the solar energy market was valued around $52 billion in 2018. And as the demand for shifting to solar energy increases, the market value is expected to rise to around $220 billion by 2026. The global warming scares have everyone shifting to green energy as fast as they can. And solar energy is the biggest contributor in this shift.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The potential customers of Sun Rise Energies will be:

Business plan for investors

5.2.1 residential suburbs.

Our customer base will primarily be made of people living in the surrounding residential towns and suburbs. As the focus on shifting to cleaner sources of energy increase, more and more residential towns will need our services regularly.

5.2.2 Small/ Large Businesses

Our second biggest clients will be small and large businesses. Solar energy is not only cleaner but after the initial investment, it’s much cheaper than the usual sources. Therefore, more and more businesses want these services and the will be our regular customer as well.

5.2.3 Educational Facilities

Our third group of clients will be educational facilities looking to shift to greener energy sources. They are expected to regularly avail our maintenance services.

5.2.4 City Residences

Lastly, city residencies or houses are also expected to be our recurring customers as most people are taking baby steps towards shifting to renewable energy sources.

5.3 Business Target

• To become the biggest suppliers of solar energy services throughout Chicago
• To increase our range of services over time
• To attain a profit of about $40k per month by the end of second year
• To receive certifications regarding solar energy services
• To achieve and keep customer satisfaction above 95%.

5.4 Product Pricing

Our charges will be very reasonable as compared to competitive prices. And our services will also ensure maximum customer satisfaction.

Marketing Strategy of Solar Energy Business

You cannot gain attention and success in a crowded industry by selling goods and services alone. You need a strong competitive advantage when you want to start a solar farm business.

There are many good solar business ideas in the industry. You need to carry out detailed marketing analysis and identify your strengths.

You can look at solar farm business plan samples to learn how to start a power company. You can even use this information for starting a paintball business because at the end of the day, the broad details are the same.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• We will have excellent 24/7 customer support to help clients with all their problems and queries.
• Our customers can easily contact us through a physical store visit or through our online platforms such as website and social media.
• We will offer the latest technology and products to keep our customers up-to-date.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will offer 10% discount to first-time customers.
• We will also offer a 15-20% discount for our recurring customers.
• We will use Google ads, Social Media, and Posters for advertisement.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan of Solar Energy Business

The success of a business is greatly dependent on the customer experience. Customers subscribe to a business when they feel welcome and taken care of. Since employees are responsible for this interaction, so figuring out an employee criterion is important when you want to start a solar panel company.

These criteria will be essential for your solar farm business plan . Or even a business plan template for summer camp for that matter.

7.1 Company Staff

• 1 Co Manager to help in overall operations
• 3 Installation Engineers
• 2 Solar Energy Installation Assistants
• 2 Customer Services Representatives
• 1 Website Developer
• 1 Social Media and Website Manager
• 3 Solar Energy Experts/Consultants

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial Plan of Solar Energy Business

Starting a business is not just selling products, it involves a great deal of planning. A part of this planning is business plan on solar energy. Or a plan related to the specific business such as coal mining business plan .

To ensure the success and financial stability of your business, you need to perform a detailed financial analysis. This will help you reduce solar energy startup cost. And it will be a part of the solar farm business plan as well. This is important to plans for any and all businesses such as biofuel business plan .

Here we’re providing the thorough financial plan developed for Sun Rise Energies. So that you can understand the financial side of the business.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 Break-even Analysis

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

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8.3.1 Profit Monthly

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 Business Ratios

• Is solar energy business profitable?

Is solar panel business profitable? The answer is a huge YES. Solar energy business is in great demand with the world today that wants to shift its energy sources.

• How do I start a solar energy business?

You can start your business by researching industry niches and looking at a business plan solar farm. They will give you a good idea of how you can use your resources to start a solar farm and reduce start up cost of solar energy business.

• How much does it cost to start a solar company?

The capital and resources you need to start energy company depends on the size and location of your business. You can use your own savings to start it or look for loans to finance your venture.

• Is solar energy a good business?

Solar energy business gives a great return on investment(ROI). With the innovations causing a decrease in equipment with all the government incentives, you can already see the profit.

Download Solar Energy Company Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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2 thoughts on “ Solar Energy Farm Business Plan Sample ”

nice “ , thank you so much

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Solar Farms Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

V. Competitive Analysis

This Section's Contents

Direct & Indirect Competitors

Competitive advantage.

Solar Tec Solar Tec is a privately held company that specializes in photovoltaic solar energy products. Specifically, the company develops, finances, designs, constructs, operates and maintains solar power plants, of which the company currently has 219 MW of solar power plants in operation. The company started doing business in the US market in 2009 and has developed and sold 55 MW of projects. Furthermore, Solar Tec has secured power purchase agreements for more than 100 MW of projects. Its international solar power plants in operation include South Africa, the Czech Republic, and Rwanda. In addition, Solar Tec has secured solar power sales contracts worth $2.4 billion through the year 2034

Vibrant Solar Vibrant Solar is a solar power business that finances, designs, installs, and maintains solar energy systems to residential customers within the US. Vibrant Solar installs solar rooftop panels in California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C and the company recently announced that it has begun to offer residential solar leases. The company is also looking to expand by targeting the following regions for photovoltaic installations: Europe, US, India, China, and South Africa.

Solar Capital Founded in 2012, Solar Capital is a privately held, renewable energy company with a focus on solar power. The company currently has a project plan in place to install a 300 megawatt solar plant in cities across the U.S.. Once constructed, the solar power plant will use single axis photovoltaic solar panels to generate renewable energy. The solar plant will power an estimated 80,000 homes in every city.

[Company Name] enjoys several advantages over its competitors including:

• High-Quality Services and Products: [Company Name] will work with the best engineers and designers to establish the most efficient solar farm in the region.
• Management: Our management team has years of business and marketing experience that allows us to market and serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than our competitors.
• Relationships: Having lived in the community for 13 years, [Founder’s Name] knows all of the local leaders, newspapers and other influencers that can help us reach our target customers.

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Solar Farms Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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Be the Solar Expert & Start Your Own Solar Business

A small investment may help in an income over Rs 1 lakh in a month*

There have been increased global discussions on climate change & sustainability that are gaining momentum with many countries & organisations confirming a reduction in carbon footprint.

Lots of actions around harnessing renewable energy have been piloted and research in many cases is in mid to advanced stages

In 2020, an unprecedented scenario because of Covid 19 played a significant role, impacting many businesses and acted as catalyst for many too. The Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign also picked up many folds with many new & innovative businesses gaining real momentum.

Besides pharma, insurance, online education, OTT, telecom, healthcare etc.; many large-scale businesses gained heavy consumption. During the same time the subject of ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) also became a much-voiced subject across all strategic interactions nationally or internationally.

The amalgamation of the global pandemic & the call for Atmanirbhar Bharat also fast tracked and created many avenues for many people who were wanting to start their own business but were not so sure, however in 2020 few took calculated risks and began with smaller investments and within limitations of their knowledge, experience and skills. 

While there have been many opportunities for people who want to step up and are thinking of starting their own, solar business is one which has been one of the preferred choices.

Solar business is here to stay as the demand of energy consumption per person is going to increase and at the same time the per unit charges by the electrical energy companies are continuing to increase.  Further, many cities esp. the smart cities and the next level cities and towns are also looking at utilizing the rooftops solar energy generation and there are related policies in place. These further create very large scope for the solar business.

As the shift to solar energy as the primary source of electricity is in its nascent stage in India, the opportunity is indeed very big for many years to come. One can judge from the scope of its installation on the rooftops of independent residences, residential societies, factories, institutions, schools, commercial buildings, religious places, hospitals, malls, hotels etc.

How to Start Solar Business?

Prior to starting, you need to understand the various opportunities within the Solar business:

• Start as a Solar Dealer
• Upgrade to Solar Distributor

Start as Solar Installer / system integrator/ EPC contractor

• Initiate as Solar Service Centre
• Begin Solar Panel Manufacturing
• Be a Project Developer
• Be a Solar Influencer

While you may explore more underneath, on each of the above opportunities, some basic knowledge and understanding needs to be gained: 

Basic working Technical knowledge

Loom Solar conducts a online learning session for this on every Saturday at 10-11 AM. You can join via mobile phone / laptop through this link:  https://www.loomsolar.com/blogs/collections/learn-solar-with-loom-solar  

Acquire right set of skills or have skilled team

Either you must have basic understanding of electrical connectivity or have an electrician to be part of your business

An installer to ascertain the surface, roof, wall, factory shed, ground etc and the use of appropriate structure + alignment of solar panels and other equipment etc.

1. Solar Dealership Business

If you are looking at higher returns on lesser investment, you may look at starting a solar dealership business from your home or from shop

2. Solar Distributor Business

In case you are already into some other business and are still interested in picking up another business opportunity, you may choose, to take either the dealership or distributorship to start a new venture

3. Solar Installer / System Integrator/ EPC Contractor

In case you are an electrician and know the house wiring, AC connectivity, have the knowledge of Inverters and batteries, then you may opt for Solar Installer / system integrator/ EPC contractor .

4. Solar Service Center

In case you are more inclined towards servicing only, you may get suitable understanding by associating with a solar company. Remember with the pace at which the installations are happening, though there is limited care needed, but with the volume, this is going to be an interesting earning opportunity.

5. Solar Panel Manufacturer

Solar Power System installation needs many components like solar panel, inverter battery, panel stand, wire, DC distribution box etc. In case you are interested in B2B business, you may start manufacturing solar panels. To install a solar panel manufacturing plant, you may need an investment of Rs 4 to 5 crores (minimum) and to have the business as profitable, you need to have about 10 customers with whom the business operations can run smoothly.

6. Solar Project Developer

Within the solar industry there are interesting opportunities of turnkey and bigger projects that include private & government projects or tenders. This opportunity needs a deeper understanding of managing the end-to-end project working capabilities.

7. Solar Influencer

This gives the opportunity to be a solar influencer without having any direct investment in solar business. However, it needs an understanding of solar business and more importantly the knowledge and working understanding of digital & social engagement. 

How to Choose the Solar Company for doing Business?

As illustrated above, there are various opportunities to explore. Loom Solar is one such organization that has been introducing the latest and best technology products to the Indian market. Innovation and simplification is at its core when it comes to solar technology. Loom Solar is Faridabad, Haryana based organization, that started its India operations in the year 2018 and has been pioneering the home solar category needs with the latest technologically advanced products also ensuring the home delivery with simplified installation practices. With over 60,000 households across India and over 2500 resellers, Loom Solar is the best choice in solar powered energy systems.

Some more interesting facts

The solar business in India is growing at more than 3 times the pace. Many of the resellers who initiated the engagement with Loom Solar as dealer have now upgraded to distributor of their district and many who initiated their journey as influencers have now taken the installer practice and have started earning more than double.

It's time to shake hands with Loom Solar and step into the solar powered world.

89 comments

Amit May 14, 2024 at 11:43am

I want to start the business, I am from Mumbai. please advice +919049354307

Raghunatha March 19, 2024 at 16:34pm

Hi I want to start a startup.

MARTINS LUTHOR March 13, 2024 at 18:59pm

Coinfx market is a big scam broker, i paid a huge amount of $70,000, they persuaded me, into putting more of my hard earned money with all hope to get profits in return, they won’t allow me to make a withdrawal of my investment, all because all they wanted is to steal my money, i got advised to file a refund case against them, which to my greatest surprise i was able to withdraw my money, i contacted a recovery expert { [email protected] } and his team of recovery experts, they where able to assist me with the withdrawal of my money, and restore my funds, they are very responsive, and you can reach out to him for help also, i know am not the only one who has fallen victim, people out there might also need this information!!

MARTINS LUTHOR March 13, 2024 at 18:57pm

Coinfx market is a big scam broker, i paid a huge amount of $70,000, they persuaded me, into putting more of my hard earned money with all hope to get profits in return, they won’t allow me to make a withdrawal of my investment, all because all they wanted is to steal my money, i got advised to file a refund case against them, which to my greatest surprise i was able to withdraw my money, i contacted a recovery expert { [email protected] } and his team of recovery experts, they where able to assist me with the withdrawal of my money, and restore my funds, they are very responsive, and you can reach out to him for help also, i know am not the only one who has fallen victim, people out there might also need this information!!!

Surya Prakash February 23, 2024 at 15:56pm

I am ready to start the solar panel business.

Please advice,

Surya Prakash.K

Suresh Babu October 17, 2023 at 18:52pm

I am interested to start this business kindly advise

Partha sarathi Ghosh September 14, 2023 at 15:01pm

Faroque Ahmed May 27, 2023 at 00:56am

I want to start this business…

Navnath rambhau zine April 27, 2023 at 16:13pm

I want to start dealership business in this field,so please give me information about solar industry

Srinibash Mohapatra September 30, 2022 at 12:26pm

Pranam! Jay hind! I am a marine Ch. Engr/ Superintendent from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Would like to request your advices/ guidances-how to go ahead, to start with a minimum investment & later to xpand. Would be grateful to have a detailed discussions with your rep. Namaskar! My contact no. +919937839499. Jay Bharat!

Sampathkumar September 27, 2022 at 17:22pm

I am salem I am interested pls share details

N K Batta September 08, 2022 at 10:41am

I am an electrical engineer and worked in senior position in major oil& gas psu. Now I am interested in starting my own business/ consultancy in solar power system in Ahmedabad. I need your assistance in exploring the best opportunities in this sector in Gujarat.

Sede jax September 04, 2022 at 22:06pm

I’m from Nagaland I would like to open a franchise here. Share me complete information on 9862409855

Shubham Sharma August 11, 2022 at 17:16pm

Hello this is Shubham Sharma From Madhya Pradesh India, Mobile No. +918878757173, +919144384334, I also want to start work with you, if there is some requirment like district co-ordinator or block lavel distributor You Can Call me.

mohammad moin July 12, 2022 at 18:40pm

am interested in this business am from vijawada,AP. call me 9000392514

Jersey D. Gomid July 04, 2022 at 17:49pm

Hi! I was reading you article and I’m interested in doing Solar Panel Business with you. However I’m in the Philippines. Will it be possible?

Javed Siddiqui June 09, 2022 at 12:23pm

Hello, I’m from Prayagraj, Uttarpradesh, I am interested in this business, can you please guide me, thank you. My Mobile number – 9323098126

Navneet Gaur May 23, 2022 at 00:32am

Myself a Delhi University official looking for my elder son dynamic future in business knowing well my childhood chum as land developer & cement dump holder are far better than, as compared to me. I want my son with dynamic groth and golden future.Hoping your precious time & direction.

M Ramana May 07, 2022 at 13:30pm

Hi I am Basically Electrician, and i have group of electricians to work in the business, let details please, I am from Hyderabad, Isnapur region, my ph-9490758635

Raghuveer T February 22, 2022 at 20:18pm

Hi Iam from Hyderabad, I am interested in this business, can you please guide me, thank you.

Satbir singh February 22, 2022 at 17:05pm

I want start solar business/consultancy solution.so place suggest me how to start plz contact 7888984784

Tikayat Ray February 11, 2022 at 13:25pm

Appreciate your web page. Interested in starting franchise in solar panel/ accessories. Would like to know relevant information pertaining to same including but not limited to minimum investment, your guidance etc. Do please send me your reply in my email.

Nitish Kumar January 25, 2022 at 23:40pm

I want dealership. Please guide us. Contacts number -9993827275

Narendra Kumar Ahuja January 08, 2022 at 21:33pm

I have knowledge of solar panels and provide training on it. How can I start a solar business without any investment but with only my efforts?

JYOTISH . S. BHATTACHARYA January 02, 2022 at 12:23pm

I am residing at Virar , Maharashtra. Basically i am interested in Dealership. Needs trainning for that. Maximum i can invest 1 lack only. please advise. jsb 7574858110 7021387959

Goutam Das December 25, 2021 at 23:32pm

Interesting. I am from West Bengal and wish to start a business on Solar Pannel. Would like to be associated.

CHANDAN P December 04, 2021 at 16:58pm

Sriranga Damodar November 28, 2021 at 08:34am

Good morning sir I’m Sriranga Damodar from Trichy Tamilnadu Interested in solar system business I want to start business Regards

Mangharam Choudhary November 18, 2021 at 21:29pm

Buisness for distribution

sidhanta November 02, 2021 at 06:51am

Hi, I am from Odisha. This article is very helpful brother. so nice Grate Job bro

Jaikishan Rai October 17, 2021 at 23:25pm

Hi, I want to become a EPC contractor in Delhi NCR region. Kindly assist me. 8285045031

Amidu hameed October 14, 2021 at 21:58pm

I have a lot of land here in Nigeria where you can set your business and earn a lot because of the bad electricity here

Keerthi Nandigam October 13, 2021 at 08:24am

Hi, Your website looks impressive and I’m interested in setting up a dealership with you guys in Andhra Pradesh. Kindly contact-630286019

jithin.u October 07, 2021 at 15:12pm

intrested instalation becuase i am an elecrician how to start

Sujit Rajan October 01, 2021 at 09:13am

Sir, I want to start a solar business in Kerala. Kindly advise.

Madhusudan Kabra September 20, 2021 at 09:27am

Interested in solar panel manufacturing and distributorship. Can you help. Want to cater to eastern india needs

Bhushan September 19, 2021 at 20:10pm

Looking for start solar panels business as a production unit. Will you people help me in that

Khuzaima Chhatriwala September 12, 2021 at 16:48pm

Interested in solar dealership business

Bhavin September 04, 2021 at 14:54pm

I am completely new to this, but I am interested in solar technology. I am more over interested in manufacturing or distributorship

Zainudheen K September 04, 2021 at 08:01am

Sir, I would like to start a dealership/distribution for Solar Energy in Kerala. Please assist me, Thank you Mobile# 7034581669

Rajendra thosar September 02, 2021 at 17:53pm

Interested solar system business I want to start business

Dulari August 31, 2021 at 23:35pm

I am interested in solar business and want to know more about it.

Uvan Suresh Kumar August 31, 2021 at 16:56pm

Pls send me details to contact officials in Chennai . Regarding set up and installation of commercial solar project , dealership and distribution .

Subhash simepurushkar August 30, 2021 at 12:10pm

Interested in dealership

PRASHANT SHELKE August 26, 2021 at 18:57pm

UTKARSH YADAV August 23, 2021 at 00:41am

Want to start solar business. Please contact 9208617320

tapan kumar dash August 21, 2021 at 07:33am

Good assesories.

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Solar Panel Installation Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Green & Eco-friendly

Are you about starting a solar panel installation business ? If YES, here is a complete sample solar panel installation business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . Solar energy has become one of the most reliable sources of power supply especially in the operation of lifts in commercial buildings.

The market for solar panels is increasing and it is indeed still open for new investors to come in. So if you are thinking of starting a business that is into the production of technological components, then you should consider starting your own solar panel manufacturing company.

In as much as the market for solar panel is growing all over the globe, you must adopt a workable marketing strategy to be able to make good sales and huge profits. You can go into contract agreements with those who manufacture products that use solar (panels) energy so that you can be in charge of supplying solar panels to them.

Suggested for You

• Energy Efficiency Management Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Solar Water Heater Installation Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Air Purifier Product Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Junk Removal Business Plan [Sample Template]

You can also make more sales if you work with your customers to produce customized solar panels that can suit their purposes. There are regions where solar panels sells like wild fire and you can only discover these regions if you carry out proper research.

A Sample Solar Panel Installation Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Solar panel is rapidly gaining huge market acceptance all over the globe simply because of how effective and useful it has become to most people. Solar panel is simply a device that helps convert sunlight into electrical energy and stores it for use.

There are loads of areas where you can use solar energy and that is the reason why a lot of inventions that is being powered by solar panel (energy) keep propping up.

You can use solar energy to power automobile, solar energy to power street lights; you can use solar energy to power your house ( all of your electronics and electrical appliances inclusive ), you can use solar energy to virtually power device that requires electrical energy to function et al.

The Solar Panel Repair Services industry is an open industry, hence a low level of market share concentration. Even though large multi-service agencies operate in the industry, revenue is also spread among thousands of small firms and freelancers.

As a matter of fact, no single solar panel repair company can account for more than 5.0 percent of the total revenue generated in the industry.

This is the reason why smaller solar panel repair business accounts for a large percent of the players in the solar panel repair services industry. According to a report published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, about 64.0 percent of total industry operators employ less than 10 full time workers.

The Solar Panel Installation, Repair and Maintenance industry has galloped ahead in recent years as a result of the rapid technological developments in our world, falling solar panel costs and favorable government policy. In the coming years, demand for solar panel installation is projected to continue growing.

Ongoing government aid in the form of tax credits and rebates, along with technological advances in solar energy, as well as the rising popularity of solar power purchase agreements (SPPAs), is expected to help revenue grow sharply going forward.

The industry is still dominated by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which are companies that will visit a customer to repair or replace the same products that they make.

Statistics has it that the Solar Panel Repair industry in the united states of America, is worth $10bn, with an estimated growth rate of 22 percent. There are about 13,494 registered and licensed solar panel installation, repair and maintenance businesses in the United States and they are responsible for employing about 77,312 people.

Most people who have stake in the industry will quite agree that the solar panel repair services industry has come to stay and of course it is one industry that plays key roles not only in the business world, but also in almost all the aspect of what goes around in our world today as long as solar panels are involved and would need to be repaired, serviced or installed.

Over and above, the solar panel repair service industry is very open to any aspiring entrepreneur who has acquired the required trainings, skills and perhaps professional certifications to start his or her own solar panel repair business and of course make good money from the industry.

2. Executive Summary

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC is a U.S based and standard solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company. We have been able to secure a standard and well – positioned office facility in a central business district in San Diego – California.

We are a solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company that is set to compete in the highly competitive solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry not only in San Diego – California, but also throughout the United States market.

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC will offer services such as solar panel sales, installation, repair, servicing and maintenance et al.

Our business goal is to become one of the leading solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company in the United States and we will make sure that we do all we can to compete favorably with leaders in the industry including solar panel manufacturing companies that are also into solar panel repairs.

Our workers are going to be selected from a pool of certified and highly experienced solar panel / solar energy repair engineers and technicians in and around San Diego – California and also from any part of the United States of America as the business grows.

We will make sure that we take all the members of our workforce through the required trainings that will position them to meet the expectation of the company and to compete with leading solar panel installation, maintenance and repair companies in the United States and throughout the globe.

At Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC, our client’s best interest will always come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely.

We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for all our partners, employees and for our clients.

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC is founded by Engr. Shannon Carson a solar energy engineer per excellence, who graduated with from Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Engr.) and his friend and business partner for many years Moses Carpenter (B.Sc. Business Management).

They have a combine experience that can help them build Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC to favorably compete with other leading solar panel installation, maintenance and repair businesses in the United States of America.

3. Our Products and Services

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC was established with the aim of maximizing profits in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry .

We want to compete favorably with the leading solar panel installation, maintenance and repair companies in the United States which is why we have but in place a competent quality assurance team that will ensure that every repair carried out or related services rendered meet and even surpass our customers’ expectations.

We will work hard to ensure that Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC is not just accepted in San Diego – California but also in other cities in the United States of America. Our products and services are listed below;

• Sale and distribution of solar panel and accessories
• Servicing, maintenance and repair of solar panels
• Roof mounted panel installation
• Solar tracking panel installation
• Ground mounted panel installation
• Fixed rack panel installation
• Monitoring services
• Other related solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to establish a standard and world class solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company whose services and brand will not only be accepted in San Diego – California but also in other cities in the United States of America.
• Our mission is to provide professional solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services and other related services that will assist businesses, individuals, households and non-profit organizations in ensuring that their solar panels are always in good shape to produce the required power output.
• We want to build a solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company that can favorably compete with other leading brands in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry.

Our Business Structure

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC, is a solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company that intend starting small in San Diego – California, but hope to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading solar panel installation, maintenance and repair companies in the industry both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hire the best hands within our area of operations.

At Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Executive Officer
• Head, Technical Services

Human Resources and Admin Manager

• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Solar Panel Installation, Repair and Maintenance Engineers/Technicians (10)

Client Service Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization

Head, Technical Services:

• Serves as project manager of the organization; works directly with employees
• Develops strategic plan by studying technological and financial opportunities; presenting assumptions; recommending objectives.
• Accomplishes subsidiary objectives by establishing plans, budgets, and results measurements; allocating resources; reviewing progress; making mid-course corrections.
• Coordinates efforts by establishing procurement, production, marketing, field, and technical services policies and practices; coordinating actions with corporate staff.
• Builds company image by collaborating with customers, government, community organizations, and employees; enforcing ethical business practices.
• Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
• Makes certain that the technical department perform efficiently, coordinate employee efforts, and facilitate communications between management and computer repairs and maintenance engineers and technicians
• Ensures that the organization work in line with international best practices.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office and factory activities.

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Manage external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Model demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Create new markets cum businesses for the organization
• Empowers and motivates the sales team to meet and surpass agreed targets

Accountant/Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC
• Serves as internal auditor for Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC.

Computer Repair and Maintenance Engineers (2) and Technicians (8)

• Responsible for general solar panel repairs and maintenance services
• Carries out solar panel installation services for clients
• Handles solar panel and accessories sales and supply for the organization
• Handles roof mounted panel installation
• Handles solar tracking panel installation
• Handles ground mounted panel installation
• Fixes rack panel installation
• Handles monitoring services
• Welcomes clients and potential clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the creative director in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries

6. SWOT Analysis

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist our organization in building a well – structured solar panel installation, maintenance and repair business that can favorably compete in the highly competitive solar panel installation, maintenance and repair service industry in the United States and the world at large.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a comprehensive SWOT analysis for Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC;

Our core strength lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of certified and highly trained and experience solar panel installation, maintenance and repair engineers and technicians, a team with excellent qualifications and experience in various niche areas in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair service industry.

Aside from the synergy that exists in our carefully selected workforce, our services will be guided by best practices in the industry.

As a new solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company in San Diego – California, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance especially from top profile clients in the already saturated and highly competitive solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry; that is perhaps our major weakness.

Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to pump into promoting our business the way we would want to.

• Opportunities:

No doubt, the opportunities in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry is massive considering the number of individuals and corporate organizations who are now switching over to alternative energy such as solar panel.

As a solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that is available in the industry.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company in same location where our target market exist and who may want to adopt same Business model like us.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

One obvious trend in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair industry is that players in this industry install solar panels as part of general residential and commercial contracting services.

These solar panel installation, maintenance and repair companies are contracted either by a homeowner, a solar panel manufacturer or by solar marketing firms that arrange a buyer for solar panels and contract an industry enterprise to carry out the installation work, maintenance and repairs et al.

Another trend is that, the Solar Panel Installation, Repair and Maintenance industry has galloped ahead in recent years as a result of the rapid technological developments in our world, falling solar panel costs and favorable government policy.

In the coming years, demand for solar panel installation is projected to continue growing. Ongoing government aid in the form of tax credits and rebates, along with technological advances in solar energy, as well as the rising popularity of solar power purchase agreements (SPPAs), is expected to help revenue grow sharply going forward.

Lastly, the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair industry is still going to be dominated by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which are companies that will visit a customer to repair or replace the same products that they make.

8. Our Target Market

Before starting our solar panel installation, maintenance and repair business in San Diego – California, we conducted a market survey and feasibility studies and we are certain that there is a wide range of both corporate and individual clients who cannot successfully run their businesses without the services of solar panel installation, maintenance and repair companies.

In view of that, we have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various corporate organizations and households who we know can’t afford to do without our services. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically market our products and services to;

• Banks, Insurance Companies and other related Financial Institutions
• Blue Chips Companies
• Corporate Organizations
• Manufacturers and Distributors
• Real Estate Owners, Developers, and Contractors
• Research and Development Companies
• The Government (Public works department)
• Schools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities)
• Sport Facilities
• Religious Organizations
• Television Stations
• Printing Press (Publishing Houses)
• Branding and Advertising agencies
• Individuals and households
• Entrepreneurs and StartUps

Our Competitive Advantage

Surviving in the business world as a solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company requires more than, your expertise, knowing how to deliver standard repairs and maintenance jobs but also how to network with key people that matters; decision makers that can decide who will get a solar panel supply, installation, repair and maintenance contract.

Without a shadow of doubt, there are loads of big time investors (Solar Panel Manufacturing Companies), that have a stake in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry; but one thing is certain, there is room big enough to accommodate both the big solar panel installation, maintenance and repair companies and the small solar panel installation, maintenance and repair companies.

What smaller solar panel installation, maintenance and repair companies need to do to survive in the industry is to concentrate on providing solar panel sales, repair, maintenance and installation services to households, individuals, estates, communities, schools, hospitals and hotels et al before bidding for big solar panel supply, installation, repair, and maintenance contracts from large corporations and government agencies (Public Works Department).

We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry means that you are not only expected to be able to deliver consistent and highly reliable solar panel supply, installation, repair and maintenance jobs, but you must be able to meet set targets. No one would want to continue to hire your services if don’t always meet up with the target date of completion of projects.

Our competitive advantage lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of certified and highly trained and experience solar panel installation, maintenance and repair engineers and technicians, a team with excellent qualifications and experience in various niche areas in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair service industry.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups solar panel installation, maintenance and repair businesses in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the repair services industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to meet and surpass the expectations of all our clients. Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC will generate income by offering the following solar panel installation, maintenance and repair related services;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain, there would always be corporate organization, government agencies, households and individual who would need the services of solar panel installations, maintenance and repair companies.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow our solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company to enviable heights.

We have been able to critically examine the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to similar startups in San Diego – California.

Below is the sales projection for Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC, it is based on the location of our business and of course the wide range of our services and target market;

• First Year-: $350,000
• Second Year-: $750,000
• Third Year-: $1,200,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there is stiffer competition in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry; hence we have been able to hire some of the best marketing experts to handle our sales and marketing.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall business goal of Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC.

Our corporate goal is to grow Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC to become one of the top 10 solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services brands in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in San Diego – California but also in other cities in the United States of America.

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to individuals, households, corporate organizations, religious organizations and key stake holders.
• Promptness in bidding for solar panel supply, installation, repair, and maintenance contract from the government and other corporate organizations
• Advertise our business in relevant business magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still deliver excellent services
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with our in house brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to become the number one choice for both corporate clients and individual clients in the whole of the United States and beyond which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company.

Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events/programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our services
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around San Diego – California
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Contact corporate organizations by calling them up and informing them of Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC and the services we offer
• List our solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company in local directories/yellow pages
• Advertise our solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our company logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

At Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC we will keep the prices of our services below the average market rate for all of our customers by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance from corporate organizations who would hire our services. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to all our customers at regular intervals.

We are aware that there are some one – off jobs or government contracts like solar panel supply, installation, repair, and maintenance services which are always lucrative, we will ensure that we abide by the pricing model that is expected from contractors or organizations that bid for such contracts.

• Payment Options

At Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a standard solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. However, this is what it would cost us to set up Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC in the United of America;

• Business incorporation fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
• The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $3,500
• Acquiring an office space or warehouse that will accommodate the number of employees for at least 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) will cost – $100,000.
• The amount required to purchase the needed tool box and repair equipment – $25,000
• Equipping the office (computers, printers, projectors, markers, servers / internet facility, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $30,000
• Amount required to purchase the needed software applications to run our business – $ 3,500
• Launching an official Website will cost – $500
• Amount need to pay bills and staff members for at least 2 to 3 months – $70,000
• Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $5,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) U.S. dollars to successfully set – up a medium scale but standard solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company in the United States of America.

Generating Funding/Startup Capital for Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC is a business that will be owned and managed by Engr. Shannon Carson and his friend and business partner for many years Moses Carpenter. They are the sole financial of the business which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $70,000 and soft loan from family members $30,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $150,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer our solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Clean Energy Technologies®, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Securing a standard office facility for our studio: Completed
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founders: Completed
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of Logo for the business: Completed
• Purchase of repair and installation tools and equipment: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, office equipment, software applications, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the business: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in various industries: In Progress