Forecasted to grow by 52% in 2023, the solar energy market is poised for additional significant growth in 2024, primarily due to state government incentives intended to encourage renewable energy adoption. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) predicts average annual growth of 15% in the solar industry over the next 5 years.
Consider these tips to help you increase both your profit margin and your customer satisfaction level in the growing solar market.
Make it snappy.
In any construction business, time is money, and solar system installation is no exception. Even modest time savings in panel mounting, grounding and cable management can add up to greater profitability. ABB Installation Products offers solutions specifically designed to help you save time when installing solar energy systems. For example:
- For mounting PV panels to strut frames, Kindorf® solar panel hold-down clamps install quickly because they come with all hardware pre-assembled on the clamp and the channel nut staked to the bolt.
- For solar cable management, Ty-Rap® cable edge solar clips can save you up to a minute per panel, installing easily without tools to hold up to four #10 AWG solar PV control cables. They're available in weatherable acetal or heat-stabilized nylon 6.6. (Read more about the advantages of non-metallic accessories below.)
- For solar panel grounding, the Blackburn® solar grounding lug addresses the difficulties typically associated with that task. It cuts installation time with a simple lay-in design and makes daisy-chained ground wire attachment easier with a slot oriented in the right direction for the cable run. See how fast and easy it is in this video
Make it light and make it last.
Whether residential or commercial, solar panels put enough load on a building rooftop without weighing it down further with heavy accessories. Non-metallic products tend to weigh less than their metallic counterparts, making them a popular choice for solar rooftop installations. Where metallic components are required, lighter weight aluminum alloy materials are preferred.
But not all non-metallic solutions are created equal. Cable ties that snap between installation and inspection can lead to failed inspections. And any component that can't stand up to harsh outdoor conditions and breaks down, leading to potential service or safety issues, will hurt your customer satisfaction rating. To reduce callbacks and safeguard your business's reputation, look for components made from non-metallic materials engineered to last when exposed to continuous outdoor conditions, including UV light and extreme temperatures.
- For cable fastening and support, the Ty-Rap® Deltec® outdoor cable support system is designed to offer up to 20 years of outdoor life. It's made of rugged, weatherable acetal that's light in weight, yet provides tensile strength of 250 lbs., and critters won't chew it. You can choose pre-assembled Deltec cable ties in specific lengths, or purchase reels of Deltec strapping with separate locking heads for total flexibility in length.
- For wire and cable protection, PMA® XSOL flexible non-metallic corrugated conduit was designed with solar applications in mind. It's light in weight, but offers good mechanical strength and high impact resistance. This multilayer, nylon 12 over nylon 6 conduit has excellent UV resistance and weatherability and supports an operating temperature range of -58°F to +203°F (-50°C to +95°C).
The SEIA predicts that 15% of U.S. homes will have a solar PV system by 2030 and reminds us that the U.S. solar industry is a 50-state market, no longer confined to traditionally sunny states like California and Florida. The future for contractors installing solar energy systems looks bright indeed.