Community Solar and Energy-Efficiency Consulting

1. 1

   Learn the local incentive maze

   Master the rebates, tax credits, and community-solar programs available in your area. This constantly changing knowledge is the product, because most people cannot find it themselves.

2. 2

   Build an assessment method

   Create a repeatable way to walk a building and score its easy wins (insulation, sealing, lighting, thermostats, solar fit). A consistent method makes your reports trustworthy and fast.

3. 3

   Sell the paid assessment

   Charge for an on-site or virtual energy assessment that ends with a prioritized plan and the incentive math (about $150 to $500). Charging keeps you independent, not a disguised salesperson.

4. 4

   Stay independent and transparent

   If you refer installers or solar providers, disclose it and vet them hard. Your independence from any one installer is exactly why people trust you.

5. 5

   Set up cheaply

   Register, use a simple report template and booking tool, and build a site with local incentive info that draws searchers. Under $500 covers setup.

6. 6

   Add follow-through

   Offer to manage rebate paperwork and coordinate the upgrades for a fee. Handling the annoying parts turns one assessment into ongoing paid work.

Do not take our word for the money. Put your own numbers in and see what this idea has to earn before it works. Free, instant, no account needed.

Best for: Analytical people who like buildings, numbers, and helping others save money

Not for: People who would rather hard-sell one product, since the whole value here is being an unbiased, trusted guide.