Solar panels are a great way to improve your environmental wellness, as well as save money on bills, and this is why environmentalists, government officials and sales representatives have been trying to get you to go solar for decades, albeit with limited success. However, the wellbeing of the solar power industry has got a bump in America as companies have followed in the footsteps of Tupperware, and encouraged their customers to have solar panel parties.
You might be put off solar panels by their initial cost, as they can typical add up to over £15,000 and some people worry that they may also be a bit of an eye sore. However, solar companies have realised that the best way to prove solar panels are the way forward is with enthusiastic customers who have found the benefits firsthand, and are willing to share their experiences with friends and neighbours and possibly earn a referral fee on any sales that result.
Pat Peaper, from Arizona, had one such party and served her friends iced tea, lemonade and cookies as she told them ‘It’s just wonderful, the savings that we’ve had on our bills’. Her husband Jim was on hand to add such helpful notes as ‘We have a neighbour next door, who’s averaging $350 a month’ and could cut his energy bills ‘probably by two-thirds’ if he switched to solar.
There are 6000 homes in the gated community where the Peapers live and, as a result of these solar panel parties, 10% have already installed solar arrays, and many more are about to sign up for the change over. According to one of the Peapers’ guests Ted Lindhorn ‘You might or might not believe the salesperson, but if it’s a friend or a neighbour that has nothing to gain for it, you’re going to believe them.’
However, your friend or neighbour does stand to gain a bonus for providing custom to solar companies. SolarCity offers $400 (£250) for each residential referral, while a local Arizona outfit called SolarParty.org advertises paying $250, or roughly £150. The payout and the product appeals to both men and women, whereas previous product-promoting parties have been largely aimed at women. Finally, the party provides the opportunity to demonstrate and explain solar panels to customers, who might otherwise be put off by the seemingly technical and financial confusion of them.
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