exploring the value of solar & net zero energy for the...
TRANSCRIPT
Sunny Salutations • Tara Lynn Blum - Solar Sale
• Who is Landmark & SOLARMAX Power
• Defining Your Energy Product
• Value Streams for the Solar & Net Zero Energy Customer
• Focus on the Customer
• Solar & Net Zero Customer Survey
• Solar Testimonials
• Where to start selling solar
• Examples of Solar Marketing Collateral
• Wrap up
Landmark Group of Companies
Landmarkgroup.ca
• One of Alberta’s largest homebuilders
• Established in 1977
• Crafted over 12,000 homes
• Locations in Edmonton (head office), Calgary
and Phoenix
• Initiated energy efficient building programs
in 2006
• Integrated sustainability philosophies into
the company’s operations in 2008
• Landmarks homes are 20-40% more efficient
than the average new home build (82-85
rating on Energuide
SOLARMAX Power INC
solarmaxpower.ca
• Division of the Landmark Group of Companies
• Solar installation with Energy Retailing services
• Installed over 350 solar installations both residential & commercial in Alberta
• Facilitate an Electrical Retail Micro Generation Offset program for solar homeowner
Completed 21 Net Zero Energy Homes
Completed 34 Net Zero Ready Solar Home
Net Zero & Solar – What’s the Difference
Net Zero Home
Net Zero Homes produce as much clean energy as they consume. They are up to 60-80% more energy efficient than typical new homes and use renewable energy systems to produce the remaining energy they need.
Solar Home
• Solar home - stand-alone photovoltaic systems that offers a cost-effective mode of supplying power for lighting and appliances to a home
When communicating and referencing intricate topics like electricity and power
to a customer it is useful to provide references to your definitions, standards,
statistics and or regulating body your are referencing
• Take the confusion out of buying solar and net zero, keep it simple and sell the values that appeal to
the person as an individual
Values for the Solar Customer
� Lower utility bills
� Diversifying one’s investment portfolio (adding to your home equity with power)
� Protection from future increases in Energy Prices (pre-purchase power at one rate)
� Securing electricity for the home
� Making a house an electricity generating power plant (pride in ownership)
� No longer being dictated to by a large faceless utility company
� The positive side of renewable energy for the home (carbon levies)
� Banking on the value of renewable power increasing value over time (MG Credits)
� Social buying trends – keeping up with your neighbours
� Capitalize on Government Incentives & industry offset programs
� Multi family living – social trend for co-op energy purchase & ownership
� Literally taking the power back- living behaviors have immediate results
� Protect against climate change and preserve natural resources
� Secure power – health monitoring systems
Value for the Net Zero Customer
• Exceptional indoor air quality for healthier living
• Tightly built and well insulated, provide a quieter space for
homeowners.
• Exceptional indoor air quality for healthier living
• Construction methods allow heating, cooling and ventilation
methods to be more even throughout the house
• The home produces as much clean , renewable energy as it
consumes
• Resale value has proven to maintain itself
• Possibility to be independent from the grid and self sustain
(brown & black outs)
• Discovering Value along the Way……..
FOCUS on the Consumer
• WHO is going to buy these Green products
and WHY?? (Husband or wife or both)
• Design and refine your marketing
• Build capacity to communicate the values
offered to the buyer (reference material)
• Explore all the value streams so that everyone
can be attracted to renewables (not just the
Greenies.)
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
Solar homeowner testimonials - experience
from clients, things they enjoy, & didn’t expect.
The Survey/ Metric
In July of 2016 we surveyed our customers for their experiences with solar
power.
We asked the following questions:
1. How do you feel towards your solar?
2. Would you make the same investment in solar if you had to do it again?
3. What would you say to those folks who are interested in purchasing
solar?
4. Did solar meet your expectations?
“I love our solar!”
1. How do you feel towards your solar?
“I love our solar, saves us money.”
2. Would you make the same investment in solar if you had to do it again?
“Yes, I would invest in solar again.”
3. What would you say to those folks who are interested in purchasing solar?
“I already tell anyone that is interested solar, I recommend it and it works
great!”
4. Did solar meet your expectations?
“Yes, solar met our expectations!”
Dany Sung
13704 - 166 Avenue NW, Edmonton
Solar Home Owner Since March, 2015
“All Expectations have been Exceeded !”
“S - say yes to Solar
O - only way to go
L - loving the low fees
A - absolutely amazing
R - right decision !”
“My version of a testimonial!
The future is here now with upcoming carbon tax laws we have the solution with solar!
All expectations have been superseded! The proof is in our Solarmax power bills!!”
Lisa Torontow
7512 May Common NW, Edmonton
Solar Home Owner Since December, 2014
“A sunny day is a money day!”
“We love the solar system. The year before we bought here I spent $6000.00 on electricity and gas. I much preferred having that money in my pocket this year.
I would definitely buy solar again if it was available. It has been virtually maintenance free and we love the money we save each month.
If someone was considering buying a solar home I would say you won't be disappointed. I think this is the way of the future.
The solar system exceeded our expectations. I love heating each room individually. I can work in my office and just warm it up without paying to heat rooms I'm not even in.
A sunny day is a money day!“
Shelagh McGarvey
7818 May Link NW, Edmonton – Larch Park
Net Zero Home Owner Since April, 2015
“We would get more!”
”So far we haven't noticed much of a difference in savings but we would definitely do it again.
Only we would get more.
Monthly offset is one tree. But better than none����.
We have and will continue to recommend
to friends, family and neighbours.”
Tamara Dickson
4138 - 6A St NW, Edmonton – Maple Crest
Solar Home Owner Since December, 2014
“Proud to be an owner!”
1. How do you feel towards your solar?
“Proud to be an owner as we/My family feel that we are contributing to protect
environment by using green energy.”
2. Would you make the same investment in solar if you had to do it again?
“I wish, I can, but will think about the price also.”
3. What would you say to those folks who are interested in purchasing solar?
“Please go for it if you can afford it as I am not paying any electricity bills in a year term.”
4. Did solar meet your expectations?
“For me – yes.”
Manish Shah
1885– 32A St NW, Edmonton – Laurel
Solar Home Owner Since December, 2014
“It was the best investment
I ever made!”1. How do you feel towards your solar?
“Solar power is the future in my opinion. Why use gas when you have an unlimited
resource like the sun!”
2. Would you make the same investment in solar if you had to do it again?
“Absolutely, it was the best investment I ever made.”
3. What would you say to those folks who are interested in purchasing solar?
“It's not as expensive as you might think! Give it a try and you won't be disappointed. I
don't feel guilty leaving a light on now!”
4. Did solar meet your expectations?
“It exceeded my expectations. Every house in Calgary should have solar!”
Geri-Lynn Lidstone
164 Cranarch Common SE, Calgary – Cranston
Solar Home Owner Since September, 2014
“You won’t regret it!”
1. How do you feel towards your solar?
“Love it. It’s nice to see the money we’re saving monthly. Helping with the environment
isn’t awful either!”
2. Would you make the same investment in solar if you had to do it again?
“Absolutely, but we’d purchase more.”
3. What would you say to those folks who are interested in purchasing solar?
“Do it! You won’t regret it!”
4. Did solar meet your expectations?
“Absolutely!”
Trevor Connors
1936 – 77 Street SW, Edmonton – Summerside
Solar Home Owner Since March, 2015
“Was a great choice installing the
solar panels!”“I just received my Enmax bill and for the billing period May 20 - June 22 my power consumption was
only 291kWh, which amounts to $10.03 for energy usage, my microgeneration gave me a credit of
$7.94 during that period, my net power usage in dollars was $2.09.
During this time we were not on vacation and had the air conditioner set at 21c for the entire period,
and this is a 2200 sq/ft walk out home. I have happily seen these kind of positive numbers over the
past 1 ½ yrs.
I proudly brag this up to my friends and family, and the being green is a positive as
well…. Just have to learn how to manage the fixed fees…lol… my net $2.09 in power
usage ended up costing $55.10 after all the distribution/fixed fees were added.
Was a great choice installing the solar panels.”
Doug Brown
40 Sunset Manor, Cochrane – Sunset Ridge
Solar Home Owner Since November, 2014
“We love our solar!”
“We love our solar. In fact, if we had to do it again, we would have sacrificed something else in
the house so we could have gotten more panels and closer to “net zero".
I love the updates we get from SOLARMAX about our production and usage. It's very neat to see how
much power our 16 panels can produce and how that offsets our carbon use.
Solar has definitely met our expectations. We are happy with the panels and their production. I think
the energy industry needs to catch up a bit to make it easier to reap the rewards of home solar
production. We signed up for a Tesla battery storage unit when they become available, but
apparently they may not be allowed in Canada yet. That is disappointing, but part of being an early
adopter.
I think if anyone is interested in solar they should totally go for it. It is intimidating at first,
especially the upfront cost, but it is more than worth it in the end. It's not even a long term
wait for the reward, you start seeing the benefits immediately.”Kelly Freriks
21 Carlyle Green, Red Deer – Clearmont
Solar Home Owner Since June, 2015
“I feel great and optimistic!”
1. How do you feel towards your solar?
“I feel great and optimistic. I’m hoping for more improvements in the future; but
so far, I’m very satisfied.”
2. Would you make the same investment in solar if you had to do it again?
“Yes.”
3. What would you say to those folks who are interested in purchasing solar?
“Do it. Don’t question it. It’s a great investment, especially with Tesla coming out with
house batteries. It’s a great, environmentally cautious investment.”
4. Did solar meet your expectations?
“Yes.”
Mike Lonik
124 Sunset Manor, Cockrane
Solar Home Owner Since December, 2015
Values for the Solar Customer
� Lower utility bills
� Diversifying one’s investment portfolio (adding to your home equity with power)
� Protection from future increases in Energy Prices (pre-purchase power at one rate)
� Securing electricity for the home
� Making a house an electricity generating power plant (pride in ownership)
� No longer being dictated to by a large faceless utility company
� The positive side of renewable energy for the home (carbon levies)
� Banking on the value of renewable power increasing value over time (MG Credits)
� Social buying trends – keeping up with your neighbours
� Capitalize on Government Incentives & industry offset programs
� Multi family living – social trend for co-op energy purchase & ownership
� Literally taking the power back- living behaviors have immediate results
� Protect against climate change and preserve natural resources
� Secure power – health monitoring systems
Value for the Net Zero Customer
• Exceptional indoor air quality for healthier living
• Tightly built and well insulated, provide a quieter space for
homeowners.
• Exceptional indoor air quality for healthier living
• Construction methods allow heating, cooling and ventilation
methods to be more even throughout the house
• The home produces as much clean , renewable energy as it
consumes
• Resale value has proven to maintain itself
• Possibility to be independent from the grid and self sustain
(brown & black outs)
• Discovering Value along the Way……..
Solar & Net Zero are value added options
Start offering solar – start small:
� Promoting in a specific neighbourhood or area of the City
� Cross Promotions with companies with similar values
� Promote one model with solar
� Offer basic solar packages (ready made packages)
� Include solar in a standard specification
*************************
Building new - Mortgage Advantage for homeowners to drop the cost
in the mortgage or renovation cost (value added)
New mortgage and/or remortgaging can work to your advantage
SOLAR is Simple & EasyStart simple with these easy suggestions
• Future proof
with higher
resale
• $14 per Month
• 50% of
Electricity
$36 $36 $37 $38 $39
-$35 -$35 -$35 -$35 -$35
$1 $1 $2 $3 $4
-$40
-$30
-$20
-$10
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Solar Power
Mortgage
Net $
• 3.7 kW – 14 Solar Panels $8,050
• 3.2% 5 Yr. Fixed 25 Yr. Mortgage
• Energy Savings from Solar Power
Solar Mortgage Impact Monthly Energy Savings vs Monthly Mortgage Payment
Energy is a large part of
Alberta’s Economy.
Solar is an investment in
Electrical Energy, it is a
local and
accessible investment for
everyone who owns a
home.
Solar is accessible now,
and is quickly becoming
the norm within home
ownership