Question

Topic: Strategy

Solar Power Market

Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 6/27/2011 at 2:29 PM ET 2500 Points
I am working with a company that has some specialty low voltage (12-24 volt) heaters. They are looking to grow and are considering the different markets they may work in.

One that came to mind to me was a specialty market - solar powered equipment. Not the solar power we are hearing now of panels on the roof of homes and businesses and connected to the grid, but equipment that is off the grid and powered by batteries, that are recharged with solar panels. A example would be a monitoring station out in the middle of nowhere. To my knowledge, these type of applications are usually lower voltage.

Trying to find any information I can about channels for this market. Are there brick and mortar or online wholesalers that someone setting up some of this off the grid equipment would go to in order to find products? Are there trade associations or trade shows for this industry?

Any help or pointers would be appreciated.
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  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 6/27/2011 at 2:51 PM Accepted
    Start by talking to the folks at Real Goods (https://www.realgoods.com/). They are one of the leaders in off-the-grid / solar living on the West Coast.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 6/28/2011 at 1:18 AM Accepted
    What an interesting idea. You are soooo right on track with moniitoring stations in the middle of no where. This is a perfect product for homeland security. I would do a few things.

    I'd research GSA (GSA advantage) and see what manufacturers of security equip might benefit from your product. That would be my short list. What day to day vital equip does our govt use that is remote and benefit? Identify some OEM's

    There are too many trade shows because you need to focus more. Every equipment manufacture could benefit from being powered solar-- but which is your best market?

    I'm digging anyone in homeland security -- remote. Remember the govt is also the leader in enviro building.
  • Posted on 6/28/2011 at 4:44 PM Accepted
    This project sounds "made to order" for an exciting marketing study by a graduate student, or student team -- researching niche markets for solar energy, perfect. I would get in touch with professors at local schools (business and engineering departments) to see the response.

    Consider creating a competition -- the winning report gets a prize. Do not limit yourself to the expensive world-class universities like Harvard, Stanford, London Business School, IESE (Barcelona), INSEAD (France). Go after some schools where a modest reward will still attract the best and the brightest. Just one example would be the Indian Institutes of Technology.

    I'd also consider getting in touch with universities in areas where solar power is a natural -- and being taken seriously, Australia? Possibly a forward-thinking country in the Middle East (Kuwait, Dubai)?

    Regards,
    JH
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