Solar & Sustainability Referral Programs: Use Word-of-Mouth to Power Your Growth
Thinking about how to grow your solar or sustainability business without spending a fortune on ads? A referral program could be your secret weapon. Customers love to talk about their positive experiences, and when you reward them for spreading the word, everyone wins. Using the right referral program software or affiliate program software can turn word-of-mouth into a major growth channel.
Why referral programs are excellent for the solar and sustainability industry
The decision to go solar, or to invest in sustainability solutions, is a big one, and often quite expensive. That's why people turn to friends and trusted sources before making their move. Whether you're installing solar panels, offering energy-efficient upgrades, or selling eco-friendly solutions, your customers are already talking.
Happy customers become passionate advocates, especially when they've had a great experience and are making a positive impact. With long sales cycles and high average order values, a single referral can bring in big results. The right referral program software or affiliate program software makes it easy to scale this trusted marketing channel and track your results.
What a solar & sustainability referral program looks like
A sustainability or solar referral program invites existing customers, partners, or employees to refer others in exchange for rewards, like cash, bill credits, or gift cards. You can also run an affiliate program with recurring rewards using our affiliate program software for influencers, content creators, or partners promoting your green products and services.
You build your program using our referral program software.
Customers get a unique referral link to share with friends.
When someone signs up and installs solar or purchases a product, both people get a reward.
The business gets new leads, the referrer gets rewarded, and the new customer gets an incentive.
Benefits of solar & sustainability referral programs
Referral marketing delivers a high ROI for both solar and sustainability businesses because your audience is already excited to share their eco-friendly decisions.
Cost effective
Lower cost per lead compared to traditional advertising.
Builds trust
People trust recommendations from friends more than ads.
Quality leads
Referrals generate highly qualified leads who are more likely to convert.
Community building
Encourages neighbors to "go solar together" with community-based referrals.
Local credibility
More people talking about your business means the more credible you become.
Customer advocacy
Makes use of existing customers who are already advocates for clean energy.
Build a referral program in minutes 👇
Pssst… we’ll also invite over 100,000 affiliates to join your referral program — totally free!
How to build your solar & sustainability referral program
Getting started is easy. You don't need a tech team or complicated setup. With Referral Factory, you can build a simple referral program in just a few clicks.
Pick your reward: Choose what you'll offer for each referral. Cash rewards or gift cards for referrers and discounts on installation work well.
Build your referral program: Use Referral Factory's AI generator to create an on-brand referral program in one click, then customize your messaging to match your voice.
Create referral links automatically: Add your clients to your referral program to generate unique referral links for each person.
Automate your program: Connect it to your CRM and workflows to track when referrals convert and automatically issue rewards.
Promote it everywhere: Share your program via email, SMS, social media, your website, and even QR codes on yard signs or invoices.
Track everything in real time: Use your dashboard to see who's referring, what's converting, and which channels are working best.
How to get more referrals
Building a referral program is one thing; getting people to actually use it is another. Here are some tips and best practices to make your referral program a success.
Your customers should be able to join and share in seconds. Good referral program software helps create a seamless, intuitive experience that drives results.
Your program should look and feel like your brand. Use your brand colors, tone, and logo to keep everything consistent which helps build trust.
Reward both the person referring and the one being referred. A cash reward and a discount on installation or products is a proven combo. This win-win structure boosts participation and conversions.
Add QR codes to signs, mention it during conversations, and include them in invoices. Also, ask for referrals after every deal is closed. Don't let people miss it.
Create reminder emails to promote your referral program. Also, include your referral program when you email your newsletters to customers.
Timing matters. Use automation in your referral program software or affiliate program software to follow up fast, issue rewards, and track conversions.
Build a referral program in minutes 👇
Pssst… we’ll also invite over 100,000 affiliates to join your referral program — totally free!
Examples of excellent solar & sustainability referral programs
OptionOne Solar referral program
Option One incentivizes both referrers and referees. The referrer gets a cash reward after installation and the referee gets a free assessment. They use sleek, mobile-friendly referral pages and keep the process simple, which reduces friction and increases sharing.
Go Konnect referral program
Go Konnect offered a cash incentive to referrers and lets them choose what gift card they preferred. They also gave the person invited a large credit on their installation because they were referred. Giving referrers a choice of gift cards made it more appealing for them as they would be sure to get something they really want. Plus, the huge discount on the installation was the cherry on top for the person invited to choose GoKonnect over other competitors.
Virtue Solar referral program
Virtue Solar's Give $500, Get $500 has a compelling double-sided incentive: New customers get a $500 discount, and the referrer gets a $500 cash reward. Having such a high reward matches the high-value nature of solar deals and drives serious motivation.
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