Indoor air quality is a great way to expand your solar business. Learn why.
Solar panels today cost over one hundred times less than they did in 1976. This is all thanks to improvements in solar technology and reduced soft costs. The price of solar energy has drastically decreased and is now one of the cheapest energy sources available.
With new and increasing demand for solar energy, experts expect that 70,000 new solar panels will be installed every hour globally in the upcoming years. That’s a lot of new business for solar energy companies.
However, solar providers shouldn’t limit their services to panel sales and installation. They should also offer indoor air quality products and services. Selling clean energy and clean air to customers is both smart and profitable. Air quality control is a fairly easy skill set to learn, usually, the biggest IAQ job takes no more than three tools and three hours. And lastly, these marketable skills set you apart from your competition.
So, what exactly does IAQ have to do with solar energy and why does it make sense for solar energy providers to offer these two services together?
High Temperatures Can Cause a Spike in Pollutants
When the sun is blazing hot, homeowners with solar panels collect more solar energy. So, in a way, the hotter the temperature is, the more useful their solar panels are.
The thing is, high temperatures can also lead to an increase in certain pollutants. For instance, solar heat and radiation can cause chemical reactions that transform primary pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and oxygen, into secondary pollutants like ozone. The more intense the sun is, the higher the amount of ozone that forms.
Ozone is an incredible oxidant that damages and even destroys cells. That’s why researchers link ground-level ozone to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. As such, solar energy companies should inform their clients about the role of the sun in air pollution so customers can understand how pollutant levels increase when it’s super sunny and hot.
The Link Between Heat, Air Conditioning Use and Pollution
Solar energy is an environmentally-friendly system that doesn’t contribute to air pollution and doesn’t produce greenhouse gases (GHGs).
However, appliances that use solar energy still generate pollutants and GHGs. Air conditioning units, and particularly those that rely on old refrigerants, are one of these appliances. While more sunlight means more solar energy, it also means increased AC use. So, the more that homeowners use their air conditioners, the more GHGs they inevitably produce.
From here, solar heat and radiation can convert these gases into pollutants. These pollutants can then make their way inside homes and affect indoor air quality. The thing is, homeowners who have chosen solar energy may not know exactly how this process works. Some may think that going solar eliminates their carbon footprint.
As industry pros, solar power providers can set the record straight. When working with clients who want to go solar, they should also bring up the importance of indoor air quality. Solar technicians trained to provide IAQ services can educate clients about this subject in a genuine way.
Technicians need to properly establish the connection between the sun, the AC and IAQ. They must explain it in a way that clients, especially the non-tech-savvy, can understand. This way, customers can better grasp the value of IAQ services.
The Role of Humidity
Some of the most common users of solar panels live in both sunny and humid climates. The state of New York, for example, is the third largest market for solar modules in the US. Too much humidity, unfortunately, can make homes prone to dampness, which can then lead to mold and mildew growth. If able to grow and proliferate, molds can release their spores into the air. This, in turn, can cause a significant reduction in indoor air quality. Mold exposure and other preventable triggers cause roughly 40% of asthma attacks in US households. An abundance of humidity can also cause dehydration, fatigue and muscle cramps.
This is why indoor air quality products can be an excellent investment for solar panel users, combining both health and environmental concerns. This is especially true if they live in areas where the indoor relative humidity tends to go above 50%, as the ideal humidity range inside homes is between 40 to 50%.
As a solar power provider, you can make the homes of your clients even healthier by offering IAQ services. Share the knowledge of how the sun’s power can affect indoor humidity and their health.
Better Indoor Air Quality Is Key to a Green Home
Most people who have gone solar did so not only to save money but also to help save the environment. Going solar, after all, is a major approach to a greener and more energy-efficient home. A genuine eco-conscious home should also have minimal indoor air pollutants.
IAQ services can help solar energy homeowners identify other sources of pollutants. They may have gone solar, but the building materials used in their home, household cleaners, and personal items are examples of possible products that release pollutants.
There’s an undeniable link between solar energy and indoor air quality. That’s why you should expand your solar business with indoor air quality solutions. By promoting clean energy and clean air, you can help your customers achieve their goals of living in a green home.
We can help get you and your business ramped up with the training and product solutions today. Learn more here.
