Compare solar installers by approach because how they work matters more than what they install
Same panels. Different results. What really sets installers apart?
Most businesses assume all renewable energy installers work in roughly the same way. But once you dig into how they design, fund, and deliver their solutions, the differences are dramatic.
The real choice isn’t between installer A or B. It’s between an install-first mindset and a value-first approach.
Why this matters for your business
A renewable energy project will affect your energy strategy, financials, and sustainability position for decades.
So it should be:
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Commercially aligned
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Cash flow positive
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Designed for outcomes, not install speed
Choosing the right approach ensures your project gets off the ground, is rooted in benefits realisation and keeps performing over time.
Two distinct ways to approach commercial renewable energy projects
What To Look Out For | Install-First Approach | Optimised, Strategy-Led Approach (Optify) |
|---|---|---|
Post-project support | May end at install handover | Includes long-term alignment with business objectives |
Performance modelling | Often skipped or oversimplified | Data-driven forecast with long-term ROI visibility |
Funding options | Capex or basic finance (if any) | Full suite: PPA, asset finance, lease, or capEx for full flexibility to achieve best-fit |
Design priorities | Panel count, project profitability and ease of install | Business case, cash flow, lifetime savings |
Project goal | Deliver the system quickly and within budget | Deliver a self-funding project optimised for ROI and lifetime savings |
WHAT WE DO
OPTIFY
Optify exists to bring the strategic mindset to commercial solar. We don’t sell solar panels. We help businesses design and deliver energy cost transformation through projects that:
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Require no upfront capital
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Deliver up to 30% more lifetime savings compared to standard installations
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Are based on your site, data, goals and budget, not a generic installation template
We coordinate top-tier installers, but we represent your interests, ensuring every lever of value is used in your favour.
We’re a commercial energy partner focused on:
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Feasibility-first approach: our Readiness Assessment & Feasibility Study map out exactly what’s possible
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Optimised lifetime savings: we compare funding options to maximise your ROI (not just push a default model)
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Integrated design thinking: roof condition, lease status, shading, buy-in, we factor in what matters to your project
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Board-ready business cases: we help secure internal buy-in and guide you through to a confident yes
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Long-term support: post-install support, system monitoring, and performance assurance
The pitfalls of choosing the wrong installer
Too many businesses get stuck with cookie-cutter solar installations that:
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Are oversized or undersized (hurting savings)
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Don’t account for roof condition or lease length
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Fail to align with commercial objectives
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Leave decision-makers unconvinced
If you're not getting a strategic business case, you’re not getting the right partner.
Further resources: see our guides on how to find the best-fit partner for your project
Solar installer guide
Choosing the right partner for a renewable energy project is a critical early step that could make or break the success of your project. We'll show you what to look out for to choose right.
