Gross Margins for a residential solar install are typically in the high teens to low twenties. The residential solar business is – as I like to call it – a low margin, low volume business.

How adding a middleman to this equation reduces the cost for a system is to me . . . suspect.

1BLOG positions itself as a feel good .org company, but they are a for profit enterprise. So do your solar research, get three quotes and then make an informed decision.

Or better yet, start your own neighborhood solar drive; Anyone can approach a solar installation company with a community proposal. These types of grass root efforts have been done in Portola Valley (the first such community program in CA), Mt. View and Downtown San Jose to name a few.

Granted it’s going to be some work, but you’ll save the middleman’s 10 to 15% take.

Gross Margins for a residential solar install are typically in the high teens to low twenties. The residential solar business is – as I like to call it – a low margin, low volume business.

How adding a middleman to this equation reduces the cost for a system is to me . . . suspect.

1BLOG positions itself as a feel good .org company, but they are a for profit enterprise. So do your solar research, get three quotes and then make an informed decision.

Or better yet, start your own neighborhood solar drive; Anyone can approach a solar installation company with a community proposal. These types of grass root efforts have been done in Portola Valley (the first such community program in CA), Mt. View and Downtown San Jose to name a few.

Granted it’s going to be some work, but you’ll save the middleman’s 10 to 15% take.

In my opinion it is a lousy discount compared to what they should be able to get for a more or less ‘bulk purchase’.

The point of – SHOP AROUND – is very valid.

In my opinion it is a lousy discount compared to what they should be able to get for a more or less ‘bulk purchase’.

The point of – SHOP AROUND – is very valid.