729: How to Start a Solar Company that Customers Rave About | Hunter Trenary of Sun Collectors

SunCast

Deciding where and which customers to focus on can make or break a business. How do you go about choosing one market over another? Furthermore, how do you build a business in an otherwise overlooked market that makes the nation’s largest solar company, Sunrun, take notice?

Hunter Trenary, co-owner of Sun Collectors, recently shared his journey of establishing a solar company in Peoria, Illinois. Starting from scratch in a market with untapped potential, Trenary and his partner navigated the complexities of local regulations, brand building, and sustainable growth while being self-funded. By doing things the “hard way”, Hunter and his team have managed to not only educate the community about the benefits of solar but also establish a reputation for delivering premium installations in house earning them rave reviews from their customers. No surprise, Peoria is now the home to Sunrun’s 2nd IL office (I wonder what took them so long!?)

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Sun Collectors navigated the challenges of growing a solar business in a market with little existing demand
• Sun Collectors community engagement initiatives that keep the flywheel turning
• The strategies Hunter and his team employ to make solar accessible and affordable for its customers

By focusing on one market and investing heavily in the local community, Sun Collectors has built a thriving business that stands out from the competition.

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