Overhaulin'

Is starting an online store for solar panels a good business idea?

Given that green energies grow in demand every month - will it be a good idea to sell solar panels online? My major concern is whether people will "have" the habit of buying such things online...I mean people are now used to buy books, electronics, cds online - but not sure about renewable energy - it's like trying to convince people that buying cars online is a good and a safe choice. Another problem is that many people will also need assistance on how to install the panels on their roofs...it's not like buying a Sony vaio. Finally, most people aren't willing to spend more than $1000-$2000 usd per order online...however you won't accomplish much with that amount of money for solar energy...that is...I have made many calculations and in every case system needed to fully power an average household will be $15k+. On the other hand, competition isn't that intense - like you will find several not well known websites selling solar products...last but not least let's nto forget the major advantage: solar energy saves you 40% or more on your utility bill. Can't say...if I were to buy solar panels I will most likely check at walmart or some local store or...call some company that offers installation and free side evaluation. Surely, green energy, space tourism, robotics etc. all have huge business potential but placing myself to get piece of the buy seems hard as hell. 10x!

Public Comments

1. Probably not. A better idea would be to sell them to companies that install these types of panels.
2. Great idea..... but the competition is already pretty intense (despite what you say).........
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4. The market for solar panels is more like the market for plumbing supplies and building materials than a direct to consumer market. If a consumer wants PV solar panels, he would hire a contractor who would then purchase them from his suppliers. Much as you don't see people buying roof shingles from Amazon (well maybe someone does), you're not likely to see a lot of people buy solar panels directly. There is a lot of inefficiency in supply chains of building supplies so there is a lot of financial incentive for providing a direct to the manufacturer channel but it will be more likely be through something like home depot then a standalone online store.
5. The kind of systems that save money in real life are expensive, as you say. But more than that, most people will have neither the skills nor the desire to install them. That means that they will not be simply ordering parts online, but will be contacting a local installer, one that they can meet in person and establish trust with. For actual panels, i think competition online is actually quite fierce. Knowing how much panels were sold for wholesale in China, I'm at a loss to understand how even the big players can make a profit in the US.