In the last two years, we have seen an explosion of innovation in solar software tools. This includes the existing tools getting better, as well as new tools emerging that focus on a specific part of the solar workflow, including LiDAR data, drone imagery, custom weather data, and utility rate optimization. However, this creates a paradox for solar installers: while it is more likely that there are products that can help them improve their operations, they are more prone to get overwhelmed with the wide variety of products and services available.
This is why the time is right for a conference dedicated to software tools for the solar industry. This event, named “S3: the Solar Software Summit” will bring together solar installers and engineers, along with software vendors, to discuss the latest products on the market, along with best practices for successfully adopting new software products. Mark your calendar for May 10th, in Scottsdale, AZ.
The Solar Software Summit offers benefits for both solar installers and solar software providers.
Why the S3 Conference is a must-see for solar installers
Stay up-to-date on market trends. The solar industry moves quickly, and this is doubly true with software products. Installers and engineers can’t afford to fall behind the latest products and trends in the market. Our customers tell us they are consistently winning deals because they are finding new ways to leverage software in the sales process – and therefore are raising the bar on their competitors. S3 is the best way for solar professionals to make sure they know all the latest tools, products, and techniques to improve their efficiency, reduce their costs, and close more deals.
Learn from the best. Hear from the customers who have figured out how to squeeze the maximum ROI out of the software tools on the market. The panel discussions will showcase these end-users, as they explain how they assessed the market, which tools they chose and why, which pitfalls to watch out for, and how they are improving their business operations using software tools. If you are a heavy-user of software tools for solar sales, engineering, or finance, this is a chance to meet the other individuals in your community, and compare notes about what works.
Accelerate the purchase process. With all of the major software products in one place, you can go from discovery, to research, to decision – all in one day. In addition to the panel discussions, S3 will feature vendor exhibits with live demos, plus a “training track” with in-depth classroom-style training sessions from leading products. Show up as a novice, and leave as an expert on the software tools for the solar market.
Cut through the BS. It is too easy for solar software vendors to claim that they have a particular product, and happy customers, when they do not (a technique known as selling “vaporware”). This is why the Solar Software Summit panel discussions will be made up almost entirely of end-customers, who can speak to which products are real… and which ones are not.
Unlock soft cost reductions. Software tools offer some of the largest opportunities to reduce soft costs: increase speed, increase close rates, reduce change-orders, drop customer acquisition costs, and improve field performance. How are you going to reduce costs by 10% in 2016? Module & inverter cost reduction won’t get you there. Software can.
Why the S3 Conference is a must-see for software providers
Most concentrated user base of the year. The Solar Software Summit brings together decision-makers from hundreds of leading solar installers, and they are specifically looking to learn about what is on the market (and possibly purchase new software tools). There is no better venue to showcase new software products & developments to the right audience of installers and engineers. And unlike Intersolar or SPI, software tools will be on center-stage.
Find partners. With increasing variety in the data and services that are available, there are more opportunities for complementary products to work together to streamline the customer experience. And with all software & data products in one place, find the perfect integration partner to bring even more value to end-users.
Accelerate user feedback. The other advantage of assembling an all-star cast of solar software customers is that they can provide valuable feedback, especially for early-stage startups. At S3, you can get 6 months worth of customer feedback in one day.
If your job involves software for solar (whether you use it, or provide it), you can’t afford NOT to attend the Solar Software Summit, May 10th in Scottsdale, AZ. For further details, please email us at info@folsomlabs.com, or see the conference webpage here: www.solarsoftwaresummit.com.
Read more Solar Boot-up articles from Folsom Labs here.
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