How to Expand Your Roofing Business by Adding Solar

Now is the perfect time to expand into solar, and a roofer like yourself may just be the ideal professional to take on solar installations. If you've ever considered offering solar services but felt unsure about your knowledge in that area or assumed the market was already saturated with specialized companies, think again. Roofers are in a great position to offer solar services and are already doing much of the hard work involved in running a business. Now is the right time and why roofers are uniquely qualified to expand into solar installations.

The solar industry is experiencing rapid growth as more homeowners seek sustainable energy solutions and take advantage of government incentives. By expanding into solar installations, roofers can tap into this demand, offering customers a complete solution for their roofing and renewable energy needs. This growing trend presents a timely opportunity for roofers to enter the solar market and meet this demand.

“Roofers are in a great position to offer solar services and are already doing much of the hard work involved in running a business. Now is the right time and why roofers are uniquely qualified to expand into solar installations.”

One of the biggest challenges for solar installation businesses is customer acquisition. Marketing, door-knocking, and chasing new leads can be time-consuming and costly for companies that don’t have a dedicated team. However, as a roofer, you already have an established customer base. You’re already marketing your roofing services, so expanding that existing effort to include solar installations puts you in a far better position than starting from scratch.

By offering solar, you’re not reinventing your business; you’re simply providing more value to the customers you already serve. This streamlined approach to customer acquisition means you can focus less on advertising and more on cross-selling solar services to homeowners already familiar with you and your work. This makes the transition into solar a natural next step rather than a complete overhaul of your business model.

Your roofing expertise also differentiates you from dedicated solar installation companies. While solar companies tend to focus on cost savings and renewable energy benefits, you bring a deeper understanding of construction and unique roofing situations. As a roofer, you can help homeowners understand their solar options and how those choices impact the overall health and longevity of their roof and home. This added knowledge and experience gives you an advantage in offering all-in-one roofing and solar solutions.

“By offering solar, you’re not reinventing your business; you’re simply providing more value to the customers you already serve. This streamlined approach to customer acquisition means you can focus less on advertising and more on cross-selling solar services to homeowners who are already familiar with you and your work.”

If you feel unsure about the financial and equipment aspects of solar installations, rest assured that numerous organizations are ready to help. Companies like QuickBOLT offer solar mount training through their website and media channels. At the same time, organizations like NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) provide certifications and credentials for renewable energy professionals, ensuring you gain the technical expertise needed for successful solar installations.

Maintenance Motivation

Expanding into solar also opens new revenue opportunities through roof maintenance and solar system upkeep. If you're already visiting a home to address roofing issues, provide a tune-up, or fix a problem, why not offer to inspect the solar system simultaneously? This creates an easy upsell for your business and adds value for the customer.

By bundling roof and solar maintenance into a combined service package, you make things more convenient for homeowners and build stronger, long-term relationships. Regular check-ups on both systems can extend their longevity, giving homeowners peace of mind knowing everything is handled by one trusted company.

Adding solar installations to your roofing business and other, less common options like rainwater harvesting systems or light-reflecting "cool roofs" positions you as an eco-friendly, renewable energy contractor that sets your business apart. These additions appeal to environmentally-conscious homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint, positioning your business as a forward-thinking choice for sustainable home improvement from the top down.

Homeowners are looking for the right person to install and care for their investment in renewable energy. As a roofer, you already have your customers' trust, making you the ideal candidate to offer these additional services. You understand what’s on the roof and what lies beneath it. You can care for the entire roof and provide service to both systems with fewer visits and better efficiency.

If you’ve been hesitant about offering solar installations or thought the market was too competitive, rest assured that you are in a stronger position than most. As a roofer, you have the expertise and customer relationships you need to take the first step toward offering solar services. Now may be the time to expand your business and take advantage of the growing demand for solar.