Problem statement: The high initial cost associated with installing PV solar systems is an inhibitor to greater market adoption. A major portion of this initial cost consists of soft costs, which include permitting, financing, and installing solar, as well as the expenses solar companies incur to acquire new customers, pay suppliers, and cover their bottom line. These "soft costs" are tacked-on to the overall price a customer pays for a solar energy system. While studies show that increasing global production has reliably led to falling costs, non-hardware costs continue to add up, creating a barrier for many American families interested in solar energy. If we don’t reduce these soft costs in the near future, solar won't be able to reach a tipping point and move beyond early adopters.
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