L R AS Published on Saturday 9 May 2020 - n° 321 - Categories:the American PV
The American Sunrun finds customers again despite the pandemic
The American residential installer Sunrun has changed its marketing system: instead of selling with visits to customers, the company has used remote orders via the Internet with a promotional offer at $1 for the first six months. After a sharp decline at the beginning of the epidemic, sales recovered
gradually. At the end of March, sales were down 40% from pre-virus levels. The upturn continued in April with a record level of one-day orders at the end of April. Probably thanks to the promotional offer.
Despite this renewed interest in residential installations, Sunrun is very cautious for the rest of the year. This is because installations are still on hold in New York State and Boston due to local regulations. Elsewhere, facilities are blocked by delays in permitting and inspection.
In April, 60 per cent of Sunrun's new direct customers in California added a storage facility to their solar system. Nationally, Sunrun has already installed 10,000 Brightbox battery systems, continuing the previous trend of 1,000 per quarter. Sunrun's direct battery installation business increased by 50 per cent over the previous year.
Sunrun is recalling some workers on leave, thereby indicating a return to business.
GreenTech Media of May 5
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Sunrun, the leading American installer, installed 97 MW in the first quarter (down 17% in the fourth quarter and up 13% in the first quarter of 2019). It generated sales of $211 million, down 14% in the fourth quarter and up 8% in the comparable quarter of 2019. Operating expenses are higher than revenues as the company rents roofs and will receive rent for 10 to 20 years.
The company experienced a 40% decline in orders in the first quarter.
PV Magazine of 8 May
