Solar Searching

by a searcher from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Kenan-Flagler Business School

3 years ago

Has anyone researched the solar panels space and able to share any insights?  It is still fragmented in smaller cities but some major players like SunPower are starting to expand their reach.

0 likes
144 views
6 comments

searcher from Harvard University - Harvard Business School

I've been thinking about this space as well. Like Michael and Chris said I think pure play installation would be tough. There is a decent amount of software activity in the space (design, monitoring, etc) but I don't know how critical they really are to the typical user. Commercial/utility scale services would definitely be the way to go. I'd also take a look at federal tax credits and other incentives in the space. I know a lot of them run out in 2023 but it could benefit from the new administration's green initiative.

3 years ago | like reply | 0 likes

searcher from University of Nebraska - Omaha

I have 10-yrs experience in the energy industry focused on utility scale projects but we have owned / looked at resi/community/C&I solar as well...certainly tailwinds to renewable adoption broadly but I'm not sure it is an industry well suited to the search fund model. Small residential solar companies are just retail financing companies, with community solar effectively just syndicating those loans across a broader customer base. Utility scale is very competitive with Bns (Tns?) of cheap capital trying to figure out where to play.

Agree w/ ^Searchfunder member‌ comment that maintenance is probably a better route than installation, but there isn't much maintenance to do and often the OEM does a lot of the maintenance work (really the basis of their business model). Could consider buying a commercial window washing company and add panel washing services as customers install panels. Washing panels is a recurring activity that has a meaningful impact on panel effectiveness. Various companies are exploring how to automate even the cleaning component (think roombas for panels, specialty sprinklers, etc.)

3 years ago | like reply | 0 likes

More on Searchfunder

Just Closed on My First Deal! Reflections and Takeaways for other Searchers

45,152 transactions are available on Searchfunder (now searchable by keyword)

Now everyone has unlimited IBISWorld access

Family office looking for traditional searchers

Examples of self-funded searcher websites

Investor seeking Self-Funded Search Deals

What are market terms for Seller Notes?

2 Best Ways To Find Motivated Sellers, Off-Market Deals

Searchfunder is an online community and toolkit for searchfunds. Over 80% of those involved in searchfunds maintain a Searchfunder.com account to help them network, problem solve challenges, and keep up with the industry.

We maintain partnerships with database providers that make searching more effective, efficient and affordable along with features that help searchers find deals and investors and vice versa.