Garrett Mendelsohn, a veteran in the solar industry since 2018, is championing change by addressing the current issues plaguing the sector and its potential for those who know how to navigate it. He's seen the solar market shift from being predominantly a door-to-door affair to becoming a virtually-operated enterprise, a direction he believes is the industry's future.
"I did door-to-door for five years, and that's where pretty much 99% of all solar activity comes from. But it's possible to sell solar more than door to door, and we're teaching people how to do that," Mendelsohn says, referring to the work he's been doing with his company Solar Bootcamp.
His mission is also urgent, too, given the industry's current state. "We're at just 3.5% market penetration with solar. We have 90 million homes to go into in the next 10-20 years. This industry is just starting," Mendelsohn explains. This highlights the vast potential for market growth and the increasing need for qualified professionals to fill the gap.
However, Mendelsohn warns that the industry is rife with scams and is grossly unregulated, with dishonest practices often negatively impacting both sales reps and customers. He has fallen victim to companies refusing to pay, noting that some companies even trick reps into selling systems at inflated prices under the guise of helping homeowners. He anticipates that government regulations will soon weed out these entities, leading to a more secure and reputable industry.
Interestingly, no certifications or licenses are required to start selling solar. While this freedom in the industry allows for more opportunities, it also leaves room for malpractice, further highlighting the importance of proper training and anticipated regulations.
"Some people sell from outside the US, not even citizens, who sell solar and put people on 25-year loans. And there's no recourse," he says. "Putting someone in 25 years in debt while you live in another country, not a US citizen, it's a little sketchy."
Mendelsohn also addresses the issue of scams in solar installations, citing instances where systems were set up but failed inspection, leaving homeowners with useless equipment and no recourse. This side of the industry also desperately needs regulation, he asserts.
"Every big company, if you look at the reviews, is terrible. It's all one or two stars across the board. Pretty much every nationwide installer has alerts and issues and terrible reviews. It's bad. It's a combination of them having many customers and things happening, but it's also like sales reps lie," he says.
With the challenges of the solar industry outlined, Mendelsohn is poised to bring a novel solution that has the potential to revolutionize the sector: eSports for solar. This unprecedented initiative, almost ready for launch, is poised to become a game-changer in the industry.
The concept takes a leaf from the world of competitive sports, bringing the thrill and excitement of eSports to the world of solar sales. It offers a platform where solar sales representatives can compete live on a live stream, selling to customers in real-time, with audience members watching the sales process unfold. "Just think of it like ESPN watching a football game, but you're watching solar reps compete live on a live stream with commentators, super chats," he explains.
Dubbed the Solar Bootcamp University Live, or SBU.live, the site will provide a platform where this novel concept of live-streamed sales will take place. This isn't just a gimmick, either. As Mendelsohn puts it, "It's good training. It's competitive. It's fun."
The initiative is also set to expand to the Metaverse, allowing people to watch a tournament on a screen inside there with other people so they can chat, making it an immersive experience. "It's just solar, and solar is very competitive. So people already compete all the time in tournaments within companies. And then you just put this on a virtual playing field where everyone can watch, and it's training because people are watching and are learning," Mendelsohn concludes.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Mendelsohn is optimistic about the solar industry's future. He is working tirelessly to combat scams, provide necessary training, and prepare for the expected increase in regulations. His overarching mission is to help people see solar not just as an alternative source of energy but also as a viable, lucrative career path.
