Startup cost
$50k–$250k
TRUiC Business Ideas
How to Start a Solar Panel Business
Decision Snapshot
Solar Panel
Idea Score
56
Profit margin
22%
Break-even
4 mo–12 mo
Time to launch
12 wk–36 wk
Demand trend
Stable
5-yr failure rate
—
Capital intensity
Very high
Time commitment
Full time
Part 1 - How to start a Solar Panel business - Background
A solar panel business will conduct on-site surveys of potential installations, create a solar plan for the location, work with the owner on financing and install the units. Maintenance positions within the company provide support for the new owners repairing and maintaining panels to ensure greatest productivity and return on the investment. This business requires a structured staff with skills in construction, electrical, and basic understanding of science and solar energy.
Our guide is in 3 parts:
- Part 1 - How to start a Solar Panel business - Background
- Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
- Part 3 - Action plan to get started
What are the costs involved in opening a solar panel business?
There will be a significant investment required in order to obtain your first shipments of panels to be installed in a home or business. If you are looking at franchise opportunities, they require a minimum payment of between $100,000 to $350,000 just to gain access to their assigned region. Without a franchise, expecting to invest up to $500,000 will enable you to initially market, hire a crew, and perform the first round of installations over the course of one year.
Read our solar panel business purchasing guide to learn about the materials and equipment you’ll need to start a solar panel business, how much to budget, and where to make purchases.
What are the ongoing expenses for a solar panel business?
You will be responsible for payroll, ordering panels from a distributor for each job, marketing, and paying the energy company on behalf of leased customer accounts. You will likely have an office space, delivery vehicles, and ongoing training to maintain licenses. You will need significant business insurance coverage as well.
Who is the target market?
With ever evolving solar technologies, solar energy is now available to most homeowners with a clear roof line. Homeowner Associations sometimes collaborate for entire neighborhood solar installations. Businesses small and large are adding solar to their energy programs and may be ready to invest in sizable rooftop or field farms.
How does a solar panel business make money?
Whether you work with a franchise or wholesaler, your installation business makes money through the successful installation of solar units. Some leasing programs generate regular income by charging their customers a monthly bill, which includes the cost of the panel installation and any extra power the customers are using from the grid. Otherwise, the customer pays a retail rate upfront for their panels and appropriate labor costs for connecting their panels to their home and the power grid.
How much can you charge customers?
A residential installation can be priced anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000, depending on the size and type of panels installed. Leases with a zero dollar down payment can run anywhere between $25 – $200 monthly depending on the type of client and the size of the installation.
How much profit can a solar panel business make?
When you operate a leased solar panel business, your profit will depend entirely on the number of panels that you have installed. A typical return is about 6% per year, but this requires a long-term investment strategy as the company owner. For companies that only install panels for customers who pay all at once, you can see profits of $5,000 to $10,000 per job. However, this requires a steady stream of new contracts. If you’re working with a large industrial contract, you can see a profit in the hundreds of thousands for a year-long job.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Your largest costs will be purchasing the panels from the distributor and your payroll. You can control supply costs by purchasing large lots of panels and using them for multiple jobs, lowering your per unit cost.
Another way to increase profits is to reach out to other solar panel contractors to offer assistance as a sub-contractor. This way you can form strong professional relationships in your area, and also take on larger projects than your team might otherwise come across.
Day-to-Day and Growth
What happens during a typical day at a solar panel business?
As owner, your day’s activities will vary depending on what jobs you have lined up. Typical duties might include:
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Installing solar panels, back-up battery systems, and connections to main power grid
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Contacting potential customers for initial survey
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Working with customers to find grants, rebates, and special financing available to those entering the solar program
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Calculating the amount of potential solar energy a particular location could generate with a variety of products
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Scheduling installation crews and delivery of panels to site
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Conducting a final survey and checklist of a completed installation
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Maintaining proper accounting and payroll procedures
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Hiring staff for a multitude of responsibilities
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Developing potential commercial and municipal customers for large installations and projects
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Providing maintenance and repair for existing solar panels, possibly including previous customers
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful solar panel business?
The successful solar panel business owner will have solid understanding of marketing and use it to the greatest effect, generating new contracts for their new company and brand. They will have shrewd personnel skills, taking the time to hire reputable technicians with all the proper licensing and training. Good managerial skills will keep the crews busy, completing jobs on time as promised, while keeping payroll expenses under control. They must also work to stay current with changing technologies, as solar is still a developing industry.
What is the growth potential for a solar panel business?
As more people, cities, and states turn to renewable energy sources, the solar panel industry is seeing a healthy growth of 15% annually, according to IBISWorld.com. With ongoing technological improvements and reducing costs of materials, solar power is becoming more affordable and appealing to both residential and commercial clients.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a solar panel business?
You must hit the ground running as soon as you find your first customer. Before that, take the time to develop your knowledge of the entire solar industry, emerging technologies, and installation options. Research the various government rebates and work with a financing institution to provide payment options for your clients. You will need to be able to offer something unique to your clients that other companies cannot provide. Make sure your company is properly insured, as accidents will happen that can pose hazards to your crews and your customer’s property.
How and when to build a team
As soon as your business loan is in place, you must start building your sales, survey, installation, and maintenance team. Unless you are an experienced installer, it is wise to include an industry expert as one of your first team members who can help guide you in building the best staff. You may require an executive assistant as your schedule gets crowded with meetings, marketing, and social events.
Read our solar panel business hiring guide to learn about the different roles a solar panel business typically fills, how much to budget for employee salaries, and how to build your team exactly how you want it.
Part 2 - Is a Solar Panel business the right fit for you?
Business Evaluation & Strategy Tool
We'll walk you through the four pillars every business needs: Points of Leverage, Marketing Strategy, Financial Model, and Personal Compatibility. At the end you'll see a personalized report and your action plan below will be tailored to your answers.
Step 1 of 4 — Points of Leverage
Every viable business has natural advantages. Below are common leverage points across four categories. Pick the ones that apply to your Solar Panel business. We've pre-suggested a few based on your idea — review and adjust.
Step 2 of 4 — Marketing Strategy
Without a way to connect with customers, even great businesses fail. Pick the channels you plan to use to reach your customers.
Step 3 of 4 — Financial Model
Enter your monthly baseline costs — the minimum overhead to keep the business running. Then we'll calculate how many sales per month you need to break even.
Step 4 of 4 — Personal Compatibility
A business that doesn't fit your life will fail no matter how good the numbers look. Tell us how this business fits you.
Your Solar Panel Evaluation Report
Complete the four pillars and your personalized summary will appear here.
Points of Leverage
Marketing Strategy
Financial Model
Personal Compatibility
Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Solar Panel business in 90 days
Nine concrete steps to take you from idea to open business, grouped into 30-day phases. Complete the planner above and we'll highlight what's most important for your situation.
First 30 days — Foundation
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Form your legal entity
An LLC keeps your personal assets separate from business debts and lawsuits — the most common reason small business owners choose this structure. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not provide this protection.
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Get an EIN and register for taxes
Apply for your free Employer Identification Number through the IRS, then register for any state or local taxes that apply to your business (sales tax, franchise tax).
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Open a business bank account and credit card
A dedicated business account is required to maintain personal asset protection. Mixing personal and business finances ('piercing the corporate veil') can void your LLC's liability shield.
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Set up business accounting
Recording expenses and income from day one makes tax filing easier and lets you see when the business is actually profitable. Use software (QuickBooks, Wave) or a part-time bookkeeper.
Days 30–60 — Compliance & Risk
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Get permits and licenses
State and local requirements vary widely. Brick-and-mortar businesses typically need a Certificate of Occupancy; service businesses may need specific professional licensing; food businesses need health permits.
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Get business insurance
General Liability Insurance is the most common starting point. If you'll have employees, most states require Workers' Compensation. Specific industries need additional coverage (product liability, professional liability, etc.).
Days 60–90 — Launch
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Define your brand
Your brand is how customers perceive and remember you. A clear name, logo, and visual identity make every later marketing decision easier and protect you legally as you grow.
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Create your business website
Every legitimate business needs a website. Social media pages are not a substitute — you don't own the platform. Modern website builders mean you can launch a clean site in a weekend without a developer.
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Set up your business phone system
A dedicated business number keeps your personal life private, makes the business look legitimate, and lets you route calls professionally. Cloud phone services start under $20/month.