Group buy programs aim to kick-start solar and keep contractors busy

People are more likely to click “Going” on Facebook events when they see their friends are attending too. Both online and offline social networks can be great motivators to buy products and attend events. Solar group buy programs leverage that type of peer-to-peer purchasing to add solar to a swath of residential rooftops in specific cities or neighborhoods. These programs lead to discounts for consumers, jobs for installers and a kick-started solar program in the community.

Solar group buy programs are initiatives to gather groups of people in a community together, teach them about solar, then give them a time frame to sign up to get solar installed on their rooftops at a standard discounted rate by an installer or multiple installers selected by either a nonprofit or group of volunteers...