Background

the marketplace for solar is exploding as more states increase investment in solar incentive programs. The 2008 solar market was five times the size of the 2007 market, which grew 57% over 2006 levels. However, solar installations totaled only 80,000 in the united states in 2007 and most were concentrated in a few states, with 69% of all installations in California alone. now is an important time for states to use focuse solar marketing efforts to attract new customers to solar and bring this renewable energy technology into the mainstream. as natural gas and oilprices remain volatile, commercial and residentialconsumers are beginning to appreciate the price stability that solar power offers. Many customers with a financial focus are now motivated beyond environmental attributes to look at solar power for the first time. However,with an uncertain economy and financial resources stretched for both commercial and residential customers, the need to market solar effectively is more critical than ever.

Importance of solar energy

Solar electricity is the energy which is extracted by Sun using solar power plants. Sun is the richest source of energies like light and heat. Huge amount of energies are available for us to take and make big impact on our electricity requirements. Our sun throws as much amount of energy on earth in one day which is equivalent to the energy requirement for the entire year.Solar power is used in a widespread of the ever so progressing technologies of the

world. The radiation that comes from solar energy along with the resultant solar energized resources such as wave power, wind, biomass and hydroelectricity all give an explanation for most of the accessible renewable energy that is present on earth. However, only an infinitesimal portion of the existing solar energy is used.
For better understating about what solar energy is and how it generated we need to know bit more about Sun which provide us with this amazing source of energy. Solar energy is radiant energy which is emitted by Sun. One interesting question which one may ask is how sun manages to provide such amount of radiant energy constantly, what does sun possess which in result produces such massive amount of energy ? It is obvious that all this energy comes from with in the core of sun. This huge ball is full of gases like hydrogen and helium, hydrogen atoms however is present on larger scale. Energy is formed because of nuclear fusion reaction when hydrogen atoms combine to form helium; this entire process takes place in the core of the sun which is the hottest part.

So the question of why solar energy, that persists in the minds of many, is because solar energy can prove to have an immense amount of constructive and helpful impact on you and on the environment as a whole. Contrasting to the fossil fuels that we consume and use on a daily basis, solar energy does not fabricate the excessively injurious pollutants that are liable for the greenhouse effect which is known to lead to global warming. Solar power use reduces the quantity of contamination and toxic waste, not to forget pollution that the engendering plants have to produce. Global warming is an issue of great interest. In the recent times, with more awareness about the harmful effects of global warming, the issue is taken with great interest. There is in point of fact a massive belief that the use of fossil fuel is a contributing factor to the cause of global warming, which will ultimately result in the demise of the planet altogether. Probably the best part about why solar energy is that it is a renewable source of energy, which basically means that it will stay there forever, it will be consumed for all practical human usages. Oil, coal etc, is all bound to finish one day and eradicate from the face of the planet. So why not put them in the storage and use something more useful, is a basic question that many people have today.
Because, it is ultra clean, natural and a sustainable source of energy that you can utilize in the use of making solar electricity, solar heating appliances, solar cooling appliances and also solar lighting appliances. Another key aspect of using solar energy is that it has massive financial benefits. They can generally be seen in the reduction of your utility bills. As you would be consuming solar power for the electricity that you use, the heating, the cooling and the lighting of your environment. Statistically, in the United States, Americans are known to be consuming 25% of the worlds oil production on a daily basis. On the whole, the planet is being drained of its oil resources and the energy prices are only bound to go up. To only mend your own personal cost of energy needs is probably one of the smartest things to do and not to forget a very valuable future investment, when measured up to the unavoidable rise in the cost of energy in recent times as well as the not so far future. Solar energy systems are very much affordable, and with the help from the local, state and the federal programs that are now available to help in the installation costs, they seem to make much more sense than using other sources of generating energy apart from the solar energy. Conversely, if you take benefit of the law that was passed in 2005, which is mainly referred to as the law of the net metering, you can actually end up saving on the price of the batteries and use extra power back into the utility network, which if you ever have the need to use it, can do so easily. This in short means that the utility corporation actually turns into being your own personal storage facility, with absolutely no extra fund cost to your wallet. On the global front, creating the use of solar energy seems to be one of the best options available. The change in the climate world over is a serious threat to our planet which is causing much of the problems. The emission levels of carbon dioxide that we generate by the constant use of fossil fuel are literally killing our planet. The usage of solar energy will only provide us with a clean environment, a life where we will not have to constantly worry about the ever so reducing resources to provide us with the basic comforts of our life. With net metering, the ever so reasonably priced solar technology and the ultimate willingness to change this situation around, you can augment the energy competence of your home, and in due course accomplish net zero fossil fuel expenditure and utilization. You will also save the planet from dying out by using solar energy!

HOW SOLAR POWER WORKS:

There is hardly any one who has not heard about solar energy, and if one knows what solar energy is, it is certain to be known that sun has some thing to do with it. Well sun has almost every thing to do with; it is only sun who manages to provide 1000 watts per square meter. That is enormous amount of energy to take, if we have enough solar cells array to place on open land to capture energy. There is one most common example for solar product is calculator which we use in our homes and office. These calculators do not have batteries but operates on solar cells and usually it remains on and do not have off buttons, for them to keep on working only light is required. There are little advance examples for solar power applications available in fewer parts of the world, solar application like solar signals on highways, emergency road signs, emergency call boxes, parking lights and garden lights.

Proper solar panels are getting common these days, these solar panels can take up the entire electricity load of home, although this is not yet that common but definitely on the way to be very useful and adoptable in coming future. That time is not that far when most of our homes will be using solar power home. How Solar Power Panel Works. To understand how solar power planels work and provide electricity I have broken down its working and processes in to steps for better understanding. These steps are mentioned with the in the order as it happens in given solar plant. Steps like Sun light, Earth surface, Photovoltaic Cells, Weather Station, DC switch, Inverter, Transformer, AC switch, Electric meter. 1. SUN LIGHT: Sun is the only source for light for earth, sun produces enormous amount of energy due to fusion reactions with in its core. Portions of energy are travelled to the surface of the earth; these portions of energy are called photons. Sun light passes through different layers before entering into atmosphere of earth, these layers have specific filtration process which filter harmful energy and light and prevent it to reach on earth. The energy which gets in the atmosphere is reflected and absorbed by earth, crops water, oceans etc and some of the energy is reflected back into space. Rest of the energy is available to take to produce energy from. 2. Earth Surface: Earth receives enormous amount of radiant energy from the sun, even after reflection of most of the energy during traveling from sun to earth. This energy available is still on huge scale to be converted into electricity using solar panels. Sun light is the most important part to complete life cycle of human beings and other living organisms including animals and plants. Combination of sun light, sea and atmosphere creates wind pressure which keeps weather systems of earth intact, these winds can also be utilized for producing electricity with help of wind machines. 3. Photovoltaic Cells: The most important component of solar panel which produces electricity is photovoltaic cells. The basic function of photovoltaic cells is to convert sun radiant energy into electricity. The word photovoltaic it self means light energy, photo means light and voltaic means energy. Each photovoltaic cell is packed into

modules which are called arrays. These cells produce DC direct current when sun is shining directly over them, produced electricity is then send to building electric system or grid station for next step. 4. Inverter: Inverter is device which converts direct current (DC) into usable Alternative current (AC). Photovoltaic cells produce direct current which inverter converts into alternative current so that it can be consumed by building. Most of electric devices like computers, house lights, air conditioners etc require alternative current (AC) to operate.

The classic elements of marketing the 4 Ps:

Product, Price, Place, Promotion offer a useful matrix to assess state solar programs. solar program initiatives should address each of the 4 ps. Product from the perspective of consumers rational and emotional attitudes towards solar technology. these attitudes affect the desire to purchase. Consumer reaction to solar technology (e.g., price, reliability, quality issues) informs marketing and communications approaches by identifying both the opportunities the strengths and positive attributes that should be marshaled and the barriers the concerns and issues that prevent sales. Price is one of the single biggest barriers to growing the solar marketplace; many states are addressing the financing of solar to help overcome consumer price concerns. Today, financing mechanisms are broadening access to solar power and making it available to new customer groups. However, states must ensure that prospective customers are aware of these new financing strategies and aggressively promote the financial value of solar products to consumer targets.

Place, or channels through which solar is sold, also is an area where solar programs have an important role through their work with installers, developers, and suppliers. Building a strong supplier network is critical in keeping up with rising demand; ensuring that customers can easily find an installer is part of this task

Promotion of solar should be a primary focus as state programs seek to increase the visibility
of solar installations and broaden the appeal of their solar incentive programs. using communications and promotional strategies to favorably present solar in the marketplace and ensuring that the right messages are presented to the public will help build a stronger market for solar technologies.as solar incentive programs examine their program offerings through the lens of Product, Price, Place and Promotion, they may conclude that they need to better understand their customer through market research, focus their efforts on specific target customer bases (customer segmentation), and address key messages to reach those audiences effectively and efficiently (communications). This evaluation process informs the elements of a solar marketing plan.

VALUE PROPOSITION It's important when developing your value proposition that it be clear and concise. It's best to start by brainstorming and focusing on what needs your target demographic group have in common. This can be done by market research. What do they all want that your business can provide? What is important to them? Once you've found the common denominating need you can determine what it is that they are in search of and develop your value proposition around that need.

Create a strong differential between you and your competitors

Increase not only the quantity but the quality of prospective leads

Gain market share in your targeted segments

Assist you in enhancing tools that will help you close more business

Improve your operation efficiency SOLAR POWER:

Economic Value: the generation of solar electricity coincides with the normal peak demand during daylight hours in most communities. It therefore mitigates peak energy costs, brings total energy bills down, and obviates the need to build as much additional generation and transmission capacity as would be the case without this power. Environment: solar produces electricity in a clean and silent manner; Resource Economics: it harvests a free and abundant energy source and puts it to work, reducing the rate at which society is depleting the worlds increasingly scarce fossil fuel resources; Infrastructure Reliability and Efficiency: it is best sited at or near the point of load, thereby freeing up utility investment in distribution systems and enhancing the reliability and costeffectiveness of the grid. it can increase grid reliability, resulting in increasing value in the future as reliable high-quality power becomes more valuable; Energy Security Infrastructure: Distributed power generally offers security benefits due to multiple generating sources, less transmission and distribution to disrupt, and greater security because on-site its generation is harder to disrupt , more stable, and less brittle than full reliance on centrally generated power; Energy Security Economic: A renewable resource such as it reducesdependence on all traditional sources of energy inputs and creates a source of energy secure against any external supply interruption or price manipulation