Writing project #1
How can emerging solar technologies provide new solutions to unfulfilled needs for property owners in Florida?
Introduction
While a diverse set of solar photovoltaic technologies have matured as valuable investments for property owners in the Sunshine State, there’s always room for improvement. The solar industry is on a heavy upswing, and new solar PV technology breakthroughs are developing more rapidly than ever. By taking a close look at these new developments, and surveying and listening to local solar energy system owners (and critics as well), we can learn what they still want that isn’t out there yet. More specifically, we can find out what they want that is almost out there. What are the biggest demands of solar’s tomorrow?
Audience
The target audience for the proposal of this research project consists of the decision makers of the same local solar tech companies that can enable this research. A spirit of exigency in researching trends and staying on top of the technology curve is a crucial law of success for any tech industry. It’s always important for solar tech businesses to keep an eye focused on the cutting edge of the horizon to stay relevant. By staying attuned to customer demands, and actively searching for new solutions for key unfulfilled needs in our local customer base, we can better estimate the direction of the market. We can lead the field in giving our customers what they really want right now.
Solaredge Technologies Market Summary chart & info sourced from Google Finance
Considering the robust growth in the solar industry over the last several years, there may be some useful implications in our findings for investors right now as they discern the best stock or equity opportunity of the times. Solar manufacturers have taken great steps forward in both achievements and revenue, and solar tech stocks boomed throughout 2019.
Now, we find ourselves in a sudden economic recession due to the Covid-19 pandemic, concurrently creating kairotic conditions to invest in solar. Leading public solar tech stocks such as SolarEdge and Enphase have “bottomed out” since early March and are trading at relatively low prices, while at the same time they show solid financials and growth from previous years. This implies that their drop in share price is mostly driven by investor panic, and not directly correlated to measured company performances, or growth outlook.
That makes investing in the “right” solar companies a smart move to make now, because their growth outlook is better than ever. Solar companies are considered by the US government to provide essential businesses and services. Solar workers wear PPE and can work at a safe space from other people. The energy sector stays consistent in economic downturns. During the shutdowns, solar will continue to stay in business, and will pick back up strong and continue to grow once the economy begins to recover. By looking ahead at the demand-and-development driven movements of the solar market, and making wise choices now, investors can stand to make unprecedented returns on their solar firm investments.
With the market in a dramatic dip, investors have a rare opportunity to “buy low”. There may never be another time better than right now to invest in solar. We just need to know which solar companies to invest in for a competitive edge, and this research can help identify those companies.
Now, we find ourselves in a sudden economic recession due to the Covid-19 pandemic, concurrently creating kairotic conditions to invest in solar. Leading public solar tech stocks such as SolarEdge and Enphase have “bottomed out” since early March and are trading at relatively low prices, while at the same time they show solid financials and growth from previous years. This implies that their drop in share price is mostly driven by investor panic, and not directly correlated to measured company performances, or growth outlook.
That makes investing in the “right” solar companies a smart move to make now, because their growth outlook is better than ever. Solar companies are considered by the US government to provide essential businesses and services. Solar workers wear PPE and can work at a safe space from other people. The energy sector stays consistent in economic downturns. During the shutdowns, solar will continue to stay in business, and will pick back up strong and continue to grow once the economy begins to recover. By looking ahead at the demand-and-development driven movements of the solar market, and making wise choices now, investors can stand to make unprecedented returns on their solar firm investments.
With the market in a dramatic dip, investors have a rare opportunity to “buy low”. There may never be another time better than right now to invest in solar. We just need to know which solar companies to invest in for a competitive edge, and this research can help identify those companies.
Stakeholders
Those who may be affected by this research include not only solar installation companies and investors, but also pretty much anyone that likes to use electricity on their property and has access to sunlight. For the tone of this study we’re going to focus particularly on how we can meet the future demands of our local current and potential clients within our immediate reach of service. We’re going to seek out unaddressed factors that will influence the upcoming product and company selection choices that they will make. My goal here is that we can then answer their questions through this study, and prepare ourselves to provide them with the new choices that they want, as soon as they become available.
Methodology
I’ll be taking cues from home and business owners. I will survey and interview both existing and potential solar customers, and solar technology critics. I’ll be reaching out through phone calls and emails. Throughout our interactions, I will seek legitimate and popular concerns about the existing application of solar energy production systems that the currently applied technology does not fully answer. I'll simply ask where they want improvements in their solar energy installation and features, and where they're not satisfied with the options available. We want to know what can - and will - be made better in a way that would positively impact them the most.
After I find out "what", I will look into "how". I will research upcoming and emerging solar technologies for the most practical, useful and impactful solutions that can be applied to the unmet demands in our local customer base. Most of this part of the research can be done on the internet, by searching through solar manufacturer’s press releases, solar conference recordings, and technical articles relating to upcoming solar tech releases. Online scientific studies may also help in giving context. The focus of this second phase of research will be fixed on solar equipment product breakthroughs currently in the "research and development" stage, which will be ready for production and distribution within the next one to two years.
After I find out "what", I will look into "how". I will research upcoming and emerging solar technologies for the most practical, useful and impactful solutions that can be applied to the unmet demands in our local customer base. Most of this part of the research can be done on the internet, by searching through solar manufacturer’s press releases, solar conference recordings, and technical articles relating to upcoming solar tech releases. Online scientific studies may also help in giving context. The focus of this second phase of research will be fixed on solar equipment product breakthroughs currently in the "research and development" stage, which will be ready for production and distribution within the next one to two years.
- Michael T. Frank
[ All solar electric systems shown on this page were installed by our team at Driven Solar. ]
