"We like our customers. One reason is because we make a living off of them. But beyond that, we like them because they're a shrewd, discerning bunch. They explore all the angles of the deal before signing a contract. Of course, we like answering their questions because we like our jobs, and because we have supreme confidence in our product. However, we also understand that sometimes a customer's perspective provides the greatest insight. So in the interest of offering our prospective customers every possible resource to help guide them on their way to solar adoption, we will be bringing you a series of customer interviews. This one comes to you from Marut Bhargava, an all-star customer who has already referred nine friends over the course of a couple months, because after all, "who else pays you a return of 800-1000 per year for 20 years on a 5k investment?"
Customer #1- Marut Bhargava
Location: Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Product type: Prepaid Pure
Age of system: ~3.5 months
Size of system: 7.105 kW
System production: 1172 kWh/kW
Key stat: 9 referrals!
AE: WHAT DROVE YOUR INITIAL INTEREST IN SOLAR?
MB: Going green has long been on my mind. I have two hybrid cars and most of my household is energy efficient, including light fixtures, appliances etc.
AE: WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN THE PPA, AS OPPOSED TO PURCHASING A SYSTEM? ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR PRODUCT CHOICE?
MB: Purchasing a system meant worrying about maintenance and selling solar RECs, in addition to taking on a larger upfront cost. I am really happy with my product choice.
AE: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GO SOLAR WITH AD ENERGY?
MB: I got about six quotes and Ad Energy's quote just blew them away, so it was an easy choice.
AE: HAS LEASING A SYSTEM DEBUNKED ANY MAJOR, COMMONLY HELD MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SOLAR FOR YOU?
MB: Prohibitive cost: I had gotten quotes about five years ago and they were pretty high, but now they are within reach. Also, the misconception that you need tons of direct sun to produce solar energy is now gone; you just need light. Of course sun is better, but the system does produce on a cloudy day.
AE: HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE YOU SAVED ON YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL?
MB: About 300 in 3.5 months
AE: YOU HAVE REFERRED NINE PEOPLE TO US SO FAR. WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION THERE?
MB: You can look at it multiple ways. The technology is feasible. It's a good return on investment, and it's good for the environment. But really, who else pays you a return of 800-1000 per year for 20 years on a 5k investment? I think it is a no brainer so I am just trying to spread the word around.
AE: WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS YOU RUN INTO WHEN TALKING TO YOUR FRIENDS AND REFERRALS? WHAT PARTS OF YOUR OWN SOLAR STORY DO YOU USUALLY SHARE WITH THEM TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO ADOPT SOLAR?
MB: I share my low upfront cost, my current low bills, the website that shows your hourly updates [on system production] if you need to see them, and of course the math behind my investment.
"So there you have it folks. Low upfront cost, free monitoring and maintenance, and thousands off your electric bill? These all sound like good reasons to refer nine friends over the course of only a couple months! Depending on the suitability of your roof, this could be you. Sign up for a free quote and find out just how much you could be saving."
