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Finding the Right Conversations (Solar & EV Chargers)

Qualified conversations > volume of conversations

Core Principle

  • “Who” matters more than “how many”

  • Focus on:

    • Quality conversations > quantity of conversations

  • Bad leads create:

    • Wasted time

    • Burned calendar slots

    • Lower morale

  • Strong ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) leads to:

    • Better meetings

    • Higher close rates

    • More referrals


Training Overview

  • Targeting the right prospects

  • Disqualifying poor-fit leads

  • Identifying quality solar vs EV leads

  • Best industries to target

  • Outreach strategy (what, when, where, how)

  • Objection handling

  • Practical tips & execution


The Discipline of Disqualification

Key Principles

  • It is OK (and necessary) to say:

    • “This is not a fit”

  • Disqualification:

    • Protects your time

    • Protects the closer’s calendar

    • Maintains pipeline quality


Mindset

  • Disqualification = respect

    • For the prospect

    • For your time


Step-by-Step Prospecting Process

  1. Pick ONE conduit

    • Solar OR EV Charging

    • You can pivot later if needed

  2. Pick an industry

    • Where your solution fits best

  3. Build your target list

    • Ownership data

    • Utility territory

    • Size filters

  4. Initial outreach

    • Channel, message, timing

  5. Follow-up & handoff

    • Use structured cadence

    • Escalate to decision maker


Anatomy of a Good Solar Lead

Must-Have Characteristics

  • Owns building OR long-term lease with control

  • High daytime electricity usage

  • Utility pain:

    • Rising rates

    • Demand charges

    • TOU exposure

  • Minimum scale:

    • ~100,000 kWh annually OR ~$1,500+/month bills


Site Requirements

  • Roof:

    • Good condition

    • Proper orientation

    • ~10,000+ sq ft

  • OR available ground space (~10,000 sq ft)


Decision-Making

  • Decision maker is:

    • Reachable

    • Not buried in corporate hierarchy


Note

  • Exceptions exist — use judgment


Best Industries for Solar

  • Manufacturing / Industrial

    • Large daytime loads

  • Cold storage / Warehousing

    • 24/7 refrigeration

  • Agriculture

    • High usage + land availability

  • Self-storage

    • Simple ownership + large roofs

  • Municipal / Schools / Non-profits

    • Incentives + mission alignment

  • Hospitality

    • Consistent usage + ESG pressure


Why These Industries

  • High usage + available space

  • Strong ROI alignment

  • Clear ownership structure

  • Incentive stacking opportunities

  • Sustainability pressure


When to Disqualify Solar Leads

Red Flags

  • Selling building within 12 months

  • “Corporate handles it” (no contact given)

  • Recently signed with competitor

  • Utility bill too low (< ~$1,000/month)

  • Decision timeline too long (6+ months without champion)

  • Previously rejected with no new angle


Anatomy of a Good EV Charging Lead

Must-Have Characteristics

  • Property attracts EV drivers

  • Controls parking / site

  • Limited nearby charging (within ~2 miles)


Business Case

  • Clear motivation:

    • Revenue generation

    • Tenant retention

    • Customer dwell time

    • Fleet electrification

  • Access to incentives:

    • Federal, state, utility programs


Bonus

  • Existing solar or sustainability initiatives


Best Industries for EV Charging

  • Hospitality (hotels, resorts)

  • Multifamily housing

  • Retail / grocery

  • Fleet operators

  • Office parks

  • Gas stations / travel centers


Why These Industries

  • Dwell time aligns with charging

  • Clear ROI (revenue + retention)

  • Incentives available

  • Regulatory pressure (in some cases)


When to Disqualify EV Leads

Red Flags

  • Selling property soon

  • No control over electrical service

  • Already has chargers (no expansion need)

  • No demand from tenants/customers

  • Too small (e.g., limited parking)

  • Long decision cycles without internal champion


Outreach Strategy

Core Rules

  • Multi-touch, multi-channel:

    • Call + Email + LinkedIn

  • First call goal:

    • NOT to pitch

    • Confirm right person + earn next step


Messaging

  • Keep emails:

    • Short

    • Specific

    • No clickbait

  • Voicemails:

    • <20 seconds

    • Clear reason to call back


Speak Their Language

  • Hospitality → occupancy, reviews

  • Manufacturing → cost control

  • Fleet → total cost of ownership


Key Principle

👉 Lead with their pain, not your product


Timing Outreach

  • Best days:

    • Tuesday–Thursday

  • Best times:

    • ~10 AM or ~2 PM


Avoid

  • Monday mornings

  • Friday afternoons

  • Start/end of month (for some industries)


Leverage Timing Events

  • Utility rate increases

  • Seasonal demand spikes (e.g., summer cooling)


Where to Prospect

  • Focus on utility territory, not just geography

  • Prioritize:

    • High-rate markets (for solar)

    • Strong incentive regions


Example Markets

  • Colorado

  • Illinois

  • Massachusetts

  • New York


Follow-Up Strategy

  • 7–10 touches over 3–4 weeks

  • Every touch adds value

  • Use internal referrals:

    • “Jim in facilities suggested I reach out…”


Key Rule

👉 Your job = book the meeting, not sell


Guiding Principle

👉 You are NOT selling solar panels or EV chargers

👉 You are selling:

  • A 15-minute conversation

  • With someone who can help solve a problem


Common Objections

  • “We’re not interested”

  • “Too expensive”

  • “Not the right person”

  • “Building isn’t suitable”

  • “Too busy”


Objection Handling Framework

“Already Looked at It”

  • Ask:

    • “What did you learn last time?”

  • Reframe:

    • Market conditions change

  • Offer:

    • Free second opinion


“Too Expensive”

  • Reframe:

    • Solar = redirect existing utility spend

    • EV = revenue-generating asset

  • Highlight:

    • Incentives reduce true cost


Gatekeepers

  • Treat as allies

  • Ask for help

  • Be specific about who you need

  • Use LinkedIn as backup channel


“Too Busy”

  • Acknowledge

  • Set specific follow-up time

  • Never accept “send info” without a next step


General Tips & Tricks

  • Call in their time zone

  • Stand while calling (energy matters)

  • Do 90 seconds of research before calling

  • Take notes on everything

  • Track all interactions


Mindset

  • Celebrate “no’s”

    • Each one moves you closer to a “yes”


Final Takeaway

👉 Success comes from:

  • Talking to the right people

  • Asking the right questions

  • At the right time


Ultimate Reminder

👉 You are not selling a product

👉 You are creating a conversation that leads to a better decision

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