Advice to Solar PV Entrepreneurs: Begin with Market Research

A reader introduces his company:  We are Zion Solar. Our company is a concept-stage solar generator designer and manufacturer. We are based in Los Angeles, CA.  The idea is to build beautiful and powerful off-grid solar generators.  Our deck linked above.  Let us know if you would like to get involved in a business relationship with us as an investor and a mentor.

I have to applaud you for thinking outside the box; I didn’t see that one coming. 

I have a single piece of advice for you: establish the market demand up-front.  There is no reason to spend $200K to build one of these at this point, and since you’re not trying to protect any aspect of your idea, I would simply show it to a statistically valid sample of prospective customers (homeowners) and get their feedback.

Your belief is that people perceive solar today as inconvenient and boring, and that your product will be regarded as attractive by comparison.  What percentage of people agree with you?

Best of luck in this and all your endeavors.