Solar Power for Consumers | Green Energy News

January 7, 2007 – Vol.11 No.42

SOLAR POWER FOR CONSUMERS.

Something like two thirds of the US economy is driven by consumer spending - people buying like crazy in shopping malls and on-line. But while they’ll jump at the chance to buy a new lamp for the living room, a new microwave oven or a new coffee maker, they’ll rarely consider buying a new source of power to energize those purchases such as solar panels for their homes.

What’s the matter? Why are consumers such tightwads when it comes to buying power generating products that could help set them free from the grid and help save the planet too?

Answer: Upfront costs and poor marketing by green technology providers.

A monthly utility bill seems like peanuts compared with the thousands needed to purchase an entire solar system, for example. And, to be blunt, the renewable energy industry does a lackluster job of marketing itself to the public.

This is a market economy. Consumers buy products that are heavily and skillfully marketed from companies they’re familiar with and trust or from retailers they’re happy with.

Consumers buy things that are pushed in front of them by salesmen and advertising campaigns.

Marketing works, in other words, but the renewable energy industry does little of it.

When was the last time you saw an ad for solar panels on TV?

Well, at least two companies recognize this problem and are taking steps to fix it.

ICP Solar Technologies, of Montreal, Canada, has announced it will begin making solar charging products under the Coleman brand name. Coleman is well known to just about anyone, at least in North America, that has ever done any camping. The more than 100-year-old company is best known for its lanterns and stoves, but now makes a long list of camping and recreational products.

Initially solar products will be aimed at battery charging for automobiles and boats or primary power for recreational vehicles and remote living applications - the cabin in the woods. The five products to be sold by Coleman will be plug-and-play meant for ease of use by consumers with little technical knowledge.

ICP is already one of the leaders in retail, off-the-shelf solar products selling through outlets such as Amazon.com.

Coleman sells its products through a range of well-known retailers such as Walmart, Target, Sears and a variety of sporting goods chains as well as online. Visit ICP Solar at http://www.icpsolar.com/ , Coleman at http://www.coleman.com/