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Sun Volt Solar Blog

earth, the final frontier

Clean Energy, Clean Environment

We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment with a higher return on investment for your hard earned money. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

To sell on line or not to sell on line

17 Oct 07 | General Business

I am currently debating on whether or not to have an online renewable energy store.  It seems like quite a bit of work to set up, and there would also be some liability issues associated with retail sales of renewable energy products, especially wind equipment.

On the other hand, it may be a good side income stream, particularly if I can get the manufactures/distributors to drop ship directly to the customer (that way I am not actually handling the merchandise).

There are currently several retail online renewable energy stores.  When I compare there online prices to the wholesale prices I am getting from distributors, I can see about a 8-10 percent markup.  Not too bad considering that there is minimal overhead.

The other downside I can see would be customer returns and restocking.  Also, I have seen quite a few shady characters in my life.  There are likely more than a handful that would likely try create some scam or something.

The other question is how much time would be taken up with answering customer questions?  Obviously, the online sales would be mostly to do it yourselfer’s.  This could mean that they would expect someone to tell them step by step on how to do a solar installation.  They may also install the equipment wrong, damage it, et cetera, then expect a refund.
Likely I will have a product feature section, which introduces the equipment to potential customers, but not necessarily sell directly to the public unless I am going to install it as well.  I think that is the best compromise.

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17 Oct 07 | General Business | Comments (2)

Dealer Opportunities

12 Sep 07 | Business administration, Solar Electric, Solar Hot Water, Wind Power

I have been looking around at solar product manufacturer’s web sites and noticed that many of them have “dealer opportunities” links. This is also true of many online solar suppliers as well. I find this interesting because if you can become an equipment retailer, you have another good income stream for your solar business. Here is a brief list of solar manufacturer’s and online solar distributors which have dealer opportunities:

  1. Alternative Energy Technologies (AET), Manufacture of solar collectors, solar water storage tanks and parts.
  2. AEE solar, photovoltaics, microhydro, small wind
  3. SunWize, photovoltaices, small wind
  4. Evergreen Solar, Photovoltaic manufacture
  5. Solar Depot, Photovoltaics
  6. Bergey Windpower Co, Small wind
  7. Southwest Windpower, Small wind

I am sure that I missed a few others that are floating around. A good google search should turn up more if you are interested.

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12 Sep 07 | Business administration, Solar Electric, Solar Hot Water, Wind Power | Comments (0)