Thousands of homeowners and businesses went solar across the Coachella Valley last year, and they didn’t lack for options when choosing a solar company.More than 150 firms installed solar panels in the Coachella Valley last year alone, collectively amassing more than 2,700 solar permits across the valley’s nine cities, a Desert Sun analysis of city permits found.About a dozen companies dominated the local solar market, and representatives of many of them said demand continues to skyrocket this year.Some of the most prolific installers, including Renova Solar and Hot Purple Energy, are Coachella Valley born and bred. Others are major national firms that have worked aggressively to keep up with locally based companies — with increasing success.”This is ground zero for solar in the country,” said Patrick Sheehan, vice president of sales for Renova Solar, which is based in Palm Desert.”If California is the most competitive market, within that is Southern California. And within that is the Coachella Valley.”For solar installers, standing out can be challenging in such a crowded market, especially as competition heats up between locally based companies and national firms.Homegrown solar firms are skeptical of national companies swooping into the valley, saying they’re more interested in pushy sales… Read full this story
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