Expand Your Business with Solar System Repowering Solutions

As a solar installer, you’re on the front lines of ensuring that your customers get the most out of their solar energy systems. But what happens when the inverter installed a decade ago stops working? That’s where repowering comes in—a powerful tool that not only enhances system performance but also boosts your business by offering homeowners a valuable upgrade. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to talk to homeowners about repowering, explain the benefits, and showcase how upgrading to an SMA inverter can help them save money and gain peace of mind. Ready to turn those service calls into repowering opportunities? Let’s dive in! 

What is Repowering, and Why Should Homeowners Care 

Just like upgrading an old refrigerator for a more efficient model, repowering gives solar systems a new lease on life by replacing outdated inverters with modern technology. 

Why does this matter to homeowners? When an inverter fails, their whole system stops producing power and then comes the spike in electricity bills. As their trusted installer, you can present repowering as a smart, cost-effective solution that restores and even enhances system performance. Installers may also receive calls from homeowners with orphaned systems installed by companies that are now out of business. This is an opportunity for your business to diversify its incomes streams and SMA is here to help you be successful.  

Common Pain Points to Highlight 

When educating homeowners, you want to focus on the issues they may already be experiencing with their aging solar systems: 

• Increased Utility Bills: A failing inverter means the system isn’t producing energy, which explains the sudden spike in their electric bill. High electricity bills may also be caused by additional electrical usage. This can often be addressed when repowering.  

• Outdated Equipment: Older systems may lack modern features like monitoring or energy storage integration, and replacement parts may no longer be available. 

• Inverter Manufacturer is Out of Business: Some older string inverters may have been produced by companies that no longer are in business or have a direct replacement. Several features of SMA inverters can help get these systems back online.  

• Avoid System Replacement: When an inverter fails that doesn’t mean the erst of the system does not work correctly. Replacing the entire system with a new one is an unnecessary cost for homeowners and you can win these projects by simply replacing the inverter alone. 

Your selling point? Repowering eliminates these issues and brings their system into the modern era with increased efficiency, better monitoring and long-term reliability. With SMA’s support the process to get a system back online is easy and can help you expand your customer base.  

Why SMA is the Perfect Repowering Partner for Installers 

When you offer homeowners an SMA Sunny Boy Smart Energy (SBSE) inverter, you’re giving them more than just a replacement part. You’re offering a full system upgrade that delivers: 

1. Maximized Energy Efficiency: The SBSE inverter operates at up to 98.1% efficiency, allowing homeowners to generate more energy even from aging solar panels. This translates to significant annual savings on their electric bills.
2. Enhanced Monitoring: Homeowners can easily track their energy production and consumption in real-time with the SMA Energy App and SMA Energy Meter, helping them make smarter energy decisions and preparing them for future storage upgrades.
3. Backup Power: The SBSE inverter comes with multiple backup options, enabling homeowners to power essential appliances during grid outages to a full home backup based on their budget.
4. Future-Ready Flexibility: This hybrid inverter allows for the seamless integration with SMA Home Storage or additional solar panels, making it a smart investment for homeowners looking to expand their system now to cover new electric usage or in the future.
5. Long-Term Protection: A new SMA inverter comes with a 10-year factory warranty, which can be extended up to 25 years, ensuring peace of mind for homeowners.

Talking to Homeowners About Repowering Solar Systems

How do you explain all of this to homeowners? Here are a few talking points to get the conversation started: 

• “If you’ve noticed higher energy bills or system downtime, your inverter could be the problem.”
  Explain how the inverter is key to keeping their system running smoothly and efficiently. 

• “Repowering your system is like upgrading your smartphone or appliance.”
  Use familiar examples to help them understand the value of upgrading to modern equipment. 

• “This is the lowest-cost way to extend the life of your solar system.”
  Homeowners often worry that repairs or upgrades will be expensive. Reassure them that repowering is far more affordable than a full system replacement or paying their electric bill, but with the same benefits. 

• “You can increase your system’s performance and even add features like backup power.”
  Highlight the extra perks that come with modern inverters, like enhanced monitoring and energy security during grid outages. 

• “Advanced energy monitoring can help you understand your usage habits and help you reduce it overall.”
  Solar energy is one piece of the puzzle, but usage habits can help homeowners reduce their electricity costs.  

How to Turn Service Calls into Repowering Opportunities 

When you’re called out to troubleshoot a customer’s system, it’s the perfect time to offer repowering as a solution. Here’s how you can do it: 

1. Diagnose the Issue: If you discover that an inverter is failing, let the homeowner know that repowering could save them from more frequent service calls in the future. Check if the inverter is under warranty. If it is, the inverter manufacturer should provide a replacement. If not, document the equipment on site and grid connection. This information is vital to ensuring a proper replacement inverter.  
2. Present the Benefits: Explain how a new SMA inverter can improve their system’s performance, add monitoring capabilities, and offer backup power during outages.
3. Showcase the Long-Term Value: With a new inverter, homeowners can extend their system’s lifespan, maximize energy production, and enjoy peace of mind with a long warranty. 

The Bottom Line: Repowering Solar Systems Means Better Performance and Happier Customers 

For solar installers, repowering is a win-win. You get to provide a valuable service that extends the life of your customers’ systems, while homeowners benefit from improved performance, lower energy bills and enhanced system monitoring. Plus, partnering with SMA for repowering projects ensures you’re offering reliable, high-quality equipment backed by decades of solar expertise. 

Ready to help your customers get the most out of their solar systems? Start the conversation about repowering today—and watch your business grow!