How to Use Building Permits in Your Solar Business

Green energy was getting an even greater foothold on our country earlier this year. The economy was stable, and we were amid one of the longest-running bull markets as of March 11, 2020. Property owners felt they had the financial security they needed to invest in something all of us feel passionately about; preservation of our planet through the use of solar and wind energy.

Residential solar development was hit hard by COID-19.

“We laid off…carpenters…installers, service technicians, HVAC installers,” said one energy company representative. The company has since hired everyone back.

There are hopes for a COVID-19 economic stimulus package for green energy. Congress has been asked to offer tax credits for 2020-2021 solar and wind energy installations.

Construction Class: ‘Solar’

You can use building permit information for up-to-the-day business development leads and marketing strategy.

Solar installations usually require up to 3 permits:

1. Building
2. Electrical
3. Solar photovoltaic (PV)

There are various ways to use permit data for sales leads:

• Area of country
  1. State
  2. County
  3. City/municipality
  4. Zipcode
  5. Address
• Date range
• Permit type/class (solar)
• Types of applicants
  • Architects
  • Builders
  • Contractors
  • Developers/tenants
  • Owners

(As an example, Construction Monitor’s Powersearch for solar permits reveals 1-25 of more than 25 solar installation permit applications in Anchorage, Alaska.)

Using the most effective building permit database in the country is relatively easy. The hard part is putting the data to work.

In a perfect world, you’d have a sales development and marketing department that would pull, sort, and present the information you need to win business. You might even have a direct sales professional that is almost as knowledgeable as you.

In a small business setting, you’ll likely be the research and development department, marketing, and direct sales. After you’ve pulled your weekly update for building permits in your area, you’ve got to pick up the phone.

Visit subdivisions.

Print some flyers. (Mailing label-generation tools are available on the database, too.)

If you’re curious about how it works (It does work!) request a free, area-specific edition for current sales leads. You can search for residential or commercial permit information. Or you can select solar alternative energy permits. Contact Construction Monitor to learn more.