How to Make a Case for Solar To Your Landlord

Solar energy is becoming more popular all the time in Australia, for households and businesses alike. More and more people are wising up to the power of solar to save money on their bills, reduce dependence on the energy grid, and do their bit for the environment.

However, for many people, there’s a problem. Installing solar panels in a property you own is one thing… but doing it in a rented property is another thing entirely. How do you convince your landlord that solar is the right thing to do and that they should invest in it?

Well, worry not. In this article, we’ll show you how to present your solar plans to your landlord in a way that they won’t be able to resist and pave the way to a better energy future for everyone involved.

Anticipate Your Landlord’s Objections

Before you start, it pays to look at things from your landlord’s perspective and think about what they might be concerned about when it comes to solar and what might be holding them back. This will help you anticipate their objections, address their concerns, and put together a much more convincing case. Here are some examples:

• Cost — solar panels come with a high upfront cost that your landlord may be unwilling to commit to.
• Work required — installing solar panels can take a while and involves making changes to the building. Your landlord may be worried about damage to the property or disrupting other tenants and neighbours.
• A lack of education — many landlords may be simply unaware of solar energy and its benefits and may see it as a waste of money.
• How it looks — your landlord may not like the idea of having visible solar panels on their building, especially if it’s an older property

Get Clear on the Benefits

Your landlord may not be aware of the benefits of solar, and may even see it as a fad or unnecessary expense. In these cases, you have a challenge ahead — clearly show your landlord why it’s worth investing in solar.

Take time to research the many benefits of solar, like its ability to save significant amounts of money in the long term and reduce dependence on an often unreliable electrical grid. Be as detailed and clear as possible — collect statistics and data showing how cost-effective and useful solar can be.

This is also a good time to investigate any rebates or incentive programs your local area has for solar panels. Queensland has a number of these programs, and some can allow you to save significant amounts of money.

Try to see Things From Your Landlord’s Perspective

If you base your case for solar on what YOU want, you’ll probably struggle to convince your landlord. Instead, think about it from their perspective.

Think about your landlord’s priorities and concerns — they want a property that will continue to gain value for them while incurring minimal costs. When looked at from this angle, solar installation is a short-term expense that will yield long-term gains by saving money on utilities and adding value to the property.

Make a Presentation

Once you have all the information ready to go, it’s time to put it all together in a detailed, professional, and convincing presentation.

This is where you’ll tie together all of your existing research and data and present it clearly, then make a compelling argument for solar.

Remember to make your arguments from the landlord’s perspective — for example, try to find concrete statistics on how solar panels can increase the value of a property and make it more attractive to future buyers.

Clearly outline how much the installation process looks set to cost, and factor in any incentives and rebates you’re eligible for.

Thrash Out a Deal

Once you’ve done all your groundwork, it’s time to actually meet up with your landlord and present your plan. Try to think about any objections or hesitations they might have, and address these pre-emptively.

This is your opportunity to talk about cost, too — how will you split the cost? Remember that solar panels will add a significant amount to your landlord’s property so you shouldn’t cover the full cost, but be prepared to make a contribution.

It’s also time to consider the savings you’ll make on energy bills and how they will be shared, remembering to consider any other tenants in your building and how they might be affected.

Good Luck!

Switching to solar can be incredibly rewarding, and many of the benefits apply even if you’re renting your home or commercial space. Solar energy is often marketed exclusively at building owners, but it’s well worth considering for everyone.

If nothing else, it’s a good idea to do your research and work out whether or not solar could be a viable option for your rented property. Even if you decide it’s not for you right now, you are still well-prepared for the future.

At SnapSolar, we help households and businesses throughout Mackay and the surrounding Queensland area make the transition to solar. We can help you through the entire process — whether you own or rent — and get you on the path to a solar-powered life.

Contact us to learn more and get started today.