Power Home Solar (No. 58 on the 2016 Top Solar Contractors list) wrapped up its first full year of business in 2015 with over 28 MW in residential and commercial work. Not bad for newbies.
The company got its start in late 2014, after CEO Jayson Waller switched over from the security installation business. Similar to Vivint’s start as APX Alarm Security Solutions, the transition from Power Home Technologies to Power Home Solar seemed to be a necessary step.
“Our models at Power Home Technologies were very similar (to APX/Vivint). We were doing about 2,500 customers a month in security. We felt like it was stagnant,” Waller said. “We knew several folks that had left the security industry and went into the solar industry. We were chomping at the bit for a couple years.”
Power Home Technologies bought North Carolina solar company ResComm in 2014 to gain industry knowledge and an entry into the market. Next came classes and seminars to really get a handle on the new industry, and then Power Home Solar made its debut.
“For six months, we owned the company and did nothing,” Waller said, citing the time spent in NABCEP courses and attending industry conferences like Solar Power International. “Then in December 2014 we started selling a little bit. In January, we hired a couple guys from bigger companies that left, and we kept building the experience that way.”
Power Home Solar’s first full year in business started slow, but the company’s previous sales experience in security systems really helped get things going.
“We pinpoint talent and bring it on. We do trainings all the time to keep everyone motivated,” Waller said. “My biggest strength is that I know enough solar to be dangerous, and I push these guys to sell. We get people to be excited about investing in solar for their homes.”
The company spends a lot of money on advertising—billboards, fliers, TV commercials, Facebook, Google ads, truck wraps. And so far, it’s paying off. Power Home Solar installed 750 kW in residential and 28 MW in commercial last year, and already Waller expects to hit 2 MW in 2016 just in residential.
“Residential is great and it’s booming,” Waller said. “The plan for the rest of this year is to grow commercial. We want to do both. The residential side builds the brand; it gets everyone interested. Homeowners who get solar are also business owners who want to get solar. It does go hand-in-hand.”
Learning a brand new product and successfully selling it in a short amount of time might sound like an uphill battle, but Waller said he’s enjoyed every minute.
“I got hooked. Selling security was great, but it cost someone more money,” Waller said. “When you have a security system it’s $60 more a month, then a cell phone, internet, TV—those bills add up. With solar, we save them money. We’re able to save them money Day 1 and save the planet.”
Charles Owens says
How do I become an installer?
Robert O'Hara says
Good luck with the commercial side of your business i worked for Joule Solar on the commercial side of the company for about 4 year’s till they went strictly residential, and regretfully the drama that took place after that ensued one of the owners who was my boss in reality, he hired me and also ran the commercial side sold out of the business and i was a casualty of downsizing of course seein i was commercial side of the business, i’m sure y’all know commercial generated plenty of revenue, probably why the two sides of the company were at odds with one another go figure huh, but anyway good luck guys i personally love the business kinda miss it after 30 some odd years in the trade i was glad to learn the future of the industry ya know as i said good luck once again from this old guard solar dog.
Eric Madray says
I love working for Power Home Solar. Jason Waller is the best guy to work for, the best company to work for and our installations are of the highest quality with customers satisfaction always number one. Power Home Solar is the real deal, the way to save you money day one and save The Environment as well. Go green, go Power Home Solar, and you will see the savings day one!!
Joe says
Great example of how capitalism can change someone’s life. However the flip side of that coin is that a foundation of integrity takes time to establish. Powerhome solar has a highly misleading sales pitch. They do however pay employees very well.. but bad reviews due to commission based sales team who will say anything to pay the bills may work against the sales pitch they have chosen.
This industry is tainted with partnerships in my humble opinion to the point where if your goal is saving money the worst thing you can do Is Finance a $85,000 system to find out savings is only around a 30-75% offset on your powerbill…. good news is powerhome 360 is available on every install including a nest smart thermostat or as most frugal people call it,( a useless piece of crap)… of course make sure a qualified hvac tech installs it otherwise it makes an ugly paper weight) and your getting it included no matter what… luckily I’m an electrician been in the industry for a decade and like powerhome I can honestly disclose the knowledge required for nest installation is annoying.. anyways if this message by miracle makes its way to Jason Waller. I’ll happily stand corrected but as for now another one bites the dust