How Solar Companies Can Turn Their Customers Into a Referral Engine

A high-voltage guide for U.S. solar installers and maintenance legends who want to unlock the most powerful marketing channel they already own: their customers.

Your crew tightens the last bolts on the solar racking system.

The system clicks on.

The battery hums.

Your customer stands there thinking:

"WOW. My house is literally running on sunshine."

Meanwhile, their neighbor pretends to check their mail for the 17th time because they definitely want to know what's going on.

This = Your Hottest Marketing Opportunity

Your customer is proud and happy with the result.

Solar companies with referral engines activate this moment and ask for a referral.

Solar companies without referral engines? They pack up the van and drive away from $5,000+ in future business.

To read the full 3000 word guide, click here.

CASE STUDY

Real results: Calculate your referral potential

A solar company in Melbourne used this exact formula to generate 1,100+ new customer installations in one year. See what your numbers could look like.

Melbourne Solar Co.

1,800 Referrals

1,100+ New solar installations

Your Referral Calculator

Estimate how many solar leads you could generate from customer referrals

How many customers will you ask to refer?10,000

100100,000

5,000

Estimated leads you will generate annually

The Formula:

• 25% of people asked will refer
• Each referrer generates 2 leads on average per year

Why solar is the perfect industry for referrals

High Deal Value = High Reward

Solar installations cost $15k–$45k, which means you can offer $800–$1,200 per referral and still profit beautifully. High rewards drive huge participation.

Solar Installs = Billboards

Solar is visible and conversation-starting. People literally come over and say: "Hey… how much did that cost?". Give the homeowner a reason to recommend you.

Solar Customers = Happy

Solar delivers a dopamine hit every month when the electric bill drops. So remind them to refer. This is a 10-year emotional runway for ask for referrals.

Designing a solar referral program that works

The reward

Repeat after me: Cash. Always. Wins.

Solar's sweet spot: $800–$1,200 for a completed installation

Or split it:

•$500 when contract signs
•$500 after installation

Your customers don't want coupons. They want **cash.**

The offer

The reward motivates the customer. The offer motivates the friend. Big difference.

You don't want your customer saying:

"Use my link so I can make money."

You want them saying:

"Use my link and get a free solar evaluation with a 10-year savings report."

That sounds like they're helping a friend, not selling to one. This shifts everything.

What it takes to launch a referral engine

Good news: You don't need a massive marketing team. You just need the right tools and 2–5 days of setup. Use a tool like Referral Factory if you're looking for a no code option.

Flexible Referral Software

Manage the entire program and connect your referral system to your existing customer database.

Referral Pages + Links

Create unique tracking links for each customer, or let them register to get their own links.

Automated Rewards

Set up systems to pay rewards after installation completion. Payout with digital cash cards or PayPal.

Automated Emails

Prepare communication sequences for different touchpoints and create referral reminders.

Solar Installer Script

Train your team on how to introduce the referral program on site and in your marketing efforts.

Setup Monthly Reporting

Track referral performance with monthly reports on conversions, payouts, and ROI to optimize your program.

Exclusive offer for solar companies

Get 50% off Referral Factory for 6 months + free onboarding

When to ask for referrals

Just After Installation

The solar system clicks on—excitement peaks

First Low Electric Bill

Savings become real and tangible

System Activation

The "wow" moment of energy independence

After an Outage

Battery moment—neighbors notice

Inspection Passes

Official validation and relief

Templates for solar companies to ask for referrals

Your Solar System Is Live! Want to Earn $1,000? Send immediately after installation completion. Capitalize on peak excitement. Include their unique referral link and explain the simple 3-step process.

SMS

Quick Reminder: Your $1,000 solar referral reward is waiting for you 🌞 Send every 90 days. Keep it short and friendly. Remind them their link is still active and they can earn unlimited rewards.

Installer Handoff Script

Before I go, here is your personal referral link. Send it to anyone you know with a roof, and you'll get $1,000 for each install you refer. A few referrals mean your solar is basically free. Train your installation crew to mention the referral program during the final walkthrough and give them printed referral cards to hand to customers.

QR-Coded Yard Signs

Want to lower your electric bills? Scan to see how much you could save with [Company Name]. Placing a yard sign at active installation sites with a catchy call to action and a QR code that neighbours can scan is an excellent way to increase visibility and create interest in the neighbourhood.

QR Stickers on Equipment

Scan me to see how you can get a system like this and earn $1,000 per referral. Add weatherproof QR code stickers to inverters or battery units. When technicians come for service or neighbors ask questions, they can easily access the referral program.

Quarterly Reminders

We hope you're enjoying your reduced electric bill. Now we want to help you increase your bank balance 💸 Share your referral link, and we'll give you $1,000 for every referral. Set up automated quarterly check-ins via email, SMS, or both. A simple message that creates some FOMO or sense of urgency works really well.

Solar referral program template

Steal this exact framework

Earn $1,000 for every friend you refer

Share Your Link

Your customers get a personal referral link

Friend Gets Free Evaluation

10-year savings report, roof + shade analysis

They Go Solar

Friend completes installation

You Get $1,000

Paid within 14 days. Unlimited earnings.

Your search for a new lead channel ends here

Your customers are, hands down, the most powerful marketing engine your solar company will ever have. Their installations are visible from the street. Their neighbors are already curious. Their savings are real and long-term. Their excitement is contagious. Their reward is meaningful. Their satisfaction lasts for decades.

You don't need

A new ad platform
A new lead vendor
A bigger PPC budget

You need

The right offer
The right timing
The right referral reward

When referrals work, your next customer doesn't come from ads…

Your next customer comes from your last customer.

Get more leads for less with referrals

Leads that are referred are like cheat codes. Top solar companies now get 20–30% of new installs from referrals—not because they're lucky, but because they built a system.