By Jared McKenzie, CEO, Headline Solar
Like most solar power companies across the globe, would-be clients of Headline Solar are simply not thinking about installing solar panels right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty about the future, and most people are rightly focused on the immediate needs of their family. Clean electricity is not a priority right now. But our industry is inclined toward the future and is inherently optimistic. As such, I’m actually very confident that adoption of solar power is going to rapidly increase as the pandemic subsidies. Here are three reasons why:
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The global lockdown has dramatically exposed the pollution caused by fossil fuels.
Though the scientific data about how fossil fuels harm the environment is abundant, most people don’t spend their time reading statistics. But everyone can understand photos. We’re seeing city skylines without smog and mountain ranges visible from farther away. There are already hundreds of new photos showing visibly cleaner air in major metropolitan centers. The immediate effect of closed factories and absent vehicle traffic is producing data that simply could not have been designed as a real-world experiment. More people can now literally see the benefits of reducing fossil fuel usage.
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The pandemic has us all thinking globally.
Anyone who sells solar power knows that customers, whether commercial or residential, have many reasons for installing solar panels. The decision may be purely economical or purely moral, but most people still make the decision based on their own community. It’s difficult to think beyond two generations or relate to strangers on the other side of the globe. But the fast spread of a virus to every country makes it clear that we all have a stake in global health. Solar power, like all renewable energy, promotes global health and each consumer can do their part.
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We all want feelings of control in times of uncertainty.
In the midst of this pandemic it doesn’t feel like we can control much. All regular routines and relationships have been disrupted. The plans we made for work, vacation and self-improvement have been halted. We can’t take action the way we’re used to doing, and we’ll crave that autonomy even more when the pandemic subsides. In followup surveys, the vast majority of Headline Solar clients report very strong satisfaction in their decision to install solar panels. It’s an action they took as bold and declarative. Solar is still very much a “considered purchase,” and not one made on a whim. No matter why they made the decision, they also feel as though it benefits others. Feelings of altruism are deeply satisfying — why else would they be so inherent in all cultures?
The solar industry, like most others, will be slowed by COVID-19, but not for long. If we keep our gaze set on the long-lasting benefits that solar power provides and celebrate the ways in which it can improve a person’s life, then our customers will be truly empowered.
Lucy says
I canvass door-to-door until Mar 20th and now phone and people are worried about immediate needs like lay off, unemployed, kids, and making my job hard. I like your article.
Miriam Coàkĺey says
Hi i agree because i am thinkinh that is the best way. I live in the Bahamas and a hurricane destroyed power lines on the island whtere i live
Every one or most person are using genetators after 7months . I definetly would purchase solar for my 3 becroom 2 bath 1500 square feet.house.
Solarman says
The bottom line is one can’t specifically count on the rote utility to keep the power on. That being said, the nationwide statistics of right around 99.90 to 99.98 percent reliability is very good. Now we seem to be having tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, and even wild fires (PSPS) where power is intentionally shut down, sometimes for hours, could be for days. Of course when PG&E started their PSPS over a three day period, the grid was relegated to around 97.8% for the year due to one event. The technology is in the market place, interest rates are low, folks are being forced in California to seriously consider their own solar PV and smart ESS. IF applied properly, solar PV with energy storage could be used to power “critical circuits” in one’s home for extended periods with just solar PV and battery power. You and your family will have “something”, the rest are counting on power not being out too long, being able to find fuel when the generator runs out or just breaks down. Personally a system that can “island” a few electric circuits in the home for emergencies can be monitored and repaired before one might realize a generator leaks oil and either shuts down or seizes, fails due to rat bit wiring or animal nesting in the generator works.