The renewable energy industry is highly competitive. With rising energy costs and environmental concerns high on the agenda, customers are scrambling to reduce their electricity bills and switch to green energy, which means that speed is of the essence.
For businesses operating in the solar sales sector, the ability to sell solar panels faster and in bigger volumes can mean the difference between thriving and surviving. In other words, shortening the sales cycle is crucial.
Selling solar faster involves:
- Leveraging quick and accurate proposals.
- Using automation to capture project specifications.
- Maximising your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) capabilities.
In combination, these three simple steps can boost the effectiveness of a sales team, streamline operations, and ultimately accelerate business growth for solar energy companies.
Building your solar Panel Sales Volumes: Three Practical Steps
There are three capabilities that every business selling solar needs to boost solar power sales volumes and reduce the length of time it takes to conclude deals:
- The ability to deliver accurate proposals quickly and easily using satellite imagery;
- The ability to automatically capture project specifications based on product specs and
- The ability to utilise CRM capabilities to automate the sales process end-to-end
These capabilities enable a solar company to:
- Reduce the sales cycle by eliminating the need for time-consuming and potentially deal-breaking re-quotes by solar salespeople;
- Improve accuracy by reducing the chances of human error in project specifications;
- Increase efficiency by automating the sales process from start to finish.
1. Deliver accurate proposals quickly and easily using accurate satellite imagery
Great customer service starts with great data. Satellite imagery is used to accurately measure the size and shape of a customer's roof, the shading from surrounding trees and buildings and any potential obstacle to the solar installation, e.g. chimneys and vents.
This information is essential for determining the optimal number and placement of solar panels and providing accurate quotes to customers. Companies can use satellite imagery to identify the type of roof a customer has, the ideal mounting system, and other information that the solar installer and the various solar sales teams need to know to provide more accurate and complete quotes.
By capturing all of your requirements right from the outset of the sales process, OpusFlow helps you create proposals that align precisely with customer expectations. Accurate proposals reduce the need for time-consuming and potentially deal-breaking re-quotes further down the line. Clients can confidently sign after the sales pitch, knowing the quote and installation will meet their needs.
2. Automatically capture project specifications based on product specs
OpusFlow's automated project specification capture capability takes the guesswork out of project specifications, making it easy for your sales team to deliver on time and without unnecessary delays. Automation ensures that every quote includes all the necessary parts and resources required for a successful solar panel installation. Sales teams can confidently pass fully spec'd quotes to the planning teams, ready to meet the agreed-upon delivery schedule.
This means that solar businesses can enjoy the following:
- Reduced time and effort: OpusFlow automates the process of capturing project specifications, freeing up your sales team to focus on building relationships and selling solar panels.
- Increased accuracy: OpusFlow's knowledge base ensures that project specifications are complete and accurate, reducing the risk of errors.
- Improved efficiency: By streamlining the handover process from sales to planning, OpusFlow helps deliver solar system projects on time and within budget.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction: OpusFlow's automated project specification capture capability helps solar installers provide customers with a seamless and efficient experience.
By automating the process of capturing project specifications based on product specs, OpusFlow reduces the chances of human error and streamlines the transition from sales to project management. This seamless handover ensures that projects run smoothly, boosting customer satisfaction and, in turn, driving sales volumes through positive word-of-mouth and repeat business.
3. Utilise CRM capabilities to automate your sales process end-to-end
Managing sales leads, opportunities, and deals can be complex and time-consuming. However, with an integrated CRM capability, your solar business can automate your sales process end-to-end. With the right CRM module, your company can:
- Capture and track leads from various sources, including your website, social media, and email marketing campaigns.
- Use lead scoring and segmentation tools to prioritise your leads and focus on the most qualified prospects.
- Automate email marketing campaigns and personalised follow-ups to nurture your leads and move them closer to a sale.
- Create and track opportunities as you move leads through your sales pipeline.
- Track your sales pipeline, manage quotes, and close more deals more efficiently and effectively.
Your team will enjoy a seamless transition from sales to project management, and a smoother customer experience.
How OpusFlow can help
Shortening sales cycles while maintaining accuracy and efficiency is essential for success in the rapidly evolving solar panel industry. OpusFlow offers a practical and powerful solution that helps solar companies achieve these goals by:
- Shortening sales cycles through automation,
- Maintaining strict accuracy that reduces the risk of errors and requoting, and
- Offering a robust CRM module that streamlines the process of moving from sales to project management.
OpusFlow’s ERP will help solar companies close more sales faster, on time and within budget. Contact our team today to find out more.