Designing a sustainable future calls for clean, green solutions. Topping the list of these solutions are solar panels for your home. Indeed, the global push for adopting renewable energy has led to a surge in the demand for solar arrays for homes. But with this growing demand comes the challenge of navigating the complex world of solar companies. Solar companies from around the world are keen to tap into the vast potential of the US market. However, expanding into a new market can present its challenges. Here’s a glimpse into some of those aspects, with an eye on how you, as a consumer, can understand this global industry better.
Cultural Differences with Solar Companies
Whatever your location may be, there’s a clear cultural influence on everything from site selection, to employee management, and implementing manufacturing standards. Solar companies looking to foray into the US market are quick to discover this. It’s fascinating to observe how standard practices across different regions can diverge so considerably.
Parking lots, for example, might be viewed as wasted potential by companies from regions where private car ownership is not as prevalent as it is in the US. And on the other hand, the very idea of worker dormitories at manufacturing sites or securing employees through the open labor market is an alien concept to quite a few non-US companies.
From these variances in operational norms to different decision-making structures and a mix of investments sentiments, such differences are a significant part of the industry narrative.
Location and Equipment: Challenges for Solar Companies
The US has plenty of buildings available for setting up solar manufacturing units. However, many of these have been built explicitly for warehousing or distribution, which typically have a low-energy demand compared to solar and battery production lines. Consequentially, these facilities often require significant electrical service upgrades, sometimes even including a new substation.
Securing such upgrades necessitates a intricate understanding of the local utility infrastructure. The prospective solar company must juggle with regulatory nuances, varying from investor-owned, cooperative, municipal, and more, each with their own state-regulated regimes.
Standards and Certification
Different global markets have a host of diverse quality, certification, and manufacturing standards. US-based solar company or solar panel manufacturer might be familiar with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) standards, while European companies might be more accustomed to the CE mark for health, safety, and environmental protection. Unfortunately, one doesn’t equate to the other, necessitating additional qualification testing for products originally certified in a different market.
Add to this the complexities of multiple local code administrators, including fire marshals, whose approval is typically needed before a plant can become operational.
Demystifying the Logistical Issues
Even seemingly suitable industrial sites can be dismissed due to logistical reasons. For instance, a site in the country’s heartland might look perfect but could be ruled out due to its distance from a deepwater port. Conversely, a site right next to a coastal port might be under threat from natural disasters like hurricanes and floods.
Managing these Differences
With the complexities of site selection, regulatory compliance, logistical challenges, and cultural differences, every solar company eying the US market has its work cut out. That said, the appeal of the rapidly growing solar industry in the US continues to attract solar companies from across the globe.
As consumers, understanding these dynamics can better equip us in making informed decisions when choosing solar panels for your home or setting up a solar array for your home.
So, as we embrace this green future, let’s navigate this journey with a broader understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the solar industry. While exploring the best solar company to meet our individual requirements, let us also acknowledge the complexities they navigate to light up our homes with clean, sustainable power.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/06/25/cultural-considerations-for-international-solar-expansion/
