Residential solar service and maintenance needs are expanding quickly as photovoltaic (PV) systems age and more solar projects become orphaned due to solar installer bankruptcies. According to data from May 2024, over five million solar installations now exist across the United States. 

The solar sector has experienced considerable disruption recently. Throughout 2023, bankruptcy filings affected more than 100 U.S. residential solar businesses, including larger companies with multi-state operations. 

Unfortunately, this trend continued into 2024, with another wave of installation company closures. When solar companies cease operations, customers are left with unfinished or abandoned systems, creating significant demand for professional operations and maintenance (O&M) services.

“Some orphaned solar systems have not received permission to operate (PTO) and haven’t been commissioned due to solar company closures,” explains Patrick McCabe, co-founder and president of GreenLancer. “This leaves homeowners in a difficult position, making loan payments on solar systems that provide no energy bill savings.”

GreenLancer has recognized this growing demand and established a dedicated O&M department to help address the increasing need for reliable solar maintenance and repair services. By leveraging a nationwide network of field service partners, GreenLancer efficiently completes solar O&M work across the U.S.

Adding residential solar O&M to your service offerings creates valuable new revenue opportunities for installation businesses. Solar system installations by defunct companies need to be completed. Projects require maintenance and, eventually, repairs. 

PV installations eventually require maintenance and repair work. System components like inverters eventually stop working and need replacement, while various electrical problems can develop over time. By providing quality O&M services for third-party installations, solar contractors can create steady income through GreenLancer partnerships while building customer loyalty and strengthening industry credibility.

Financiers who have invested in unfinished photovoltaic projects often step in to fund their completion, creating a new stream of service work. Solar installers can capitalize on these opportunities by joining the GreenLancer field services network, ensuring homeowners receive the energy savings they were promised while creating new business prospects.

Service divisions at most installation companies primarily handle warranty work for systems they’ve installed, typically producing minimal, if any revenue for the business. But, PV installers can transform their service departments into profitable teams by expanding their solar O&M offerings to include residential third-party systems. This is particularly profitable during seasonal workflow slowdowns, such as winter months, or when supply chain issues delay new projects.

While economic factors like interest rate increases or incentive reductions might decrease new installation volume, existing systems will continuously require maintenance regardless of market conditions. PV system owners consistently need assistance with diagnostic services, inverter replacements, and performance verification, creating a dependable income source through O&M work.

There’s a meaningful personal dimension to O&M work that goes beyond just profits. Countless homeowners find themselves abandoned with partially completed solar installations, preventing them from accessing the clean energy savings they expected. 

Solar professionals who take on these orphaned projects not only expand their customer base but help rebuild consumer confidence in the entire industry. By rescuing stranded solar customers, service providers position themselves as trusted industry professionals, fostering lasting relationships and earning dedicated clients for years to come.

Solar O&M with GreenLancer includes a range of maintenance and repair tasks, from completing installations so they can achieve PTO to troubleshooting inverter issues. GreenLancer has its own interconnection team, so field service providers don’t need to handle this paperwork. 

GreenLancer providers work with various inverter brands, requiring installers to gain familiarity with different technologies. Preventive maintenance is also key, ensuring long-term system performance, safety, and compliance while helping homeowners maximize their solar investment.

GreenLancer seeks skilled field service providers who demonstrate strong communication, competitive pricing, and are licensed solar contractors. While additional manufacturer or NABCEP certifications are beneficial, a valid contractor license is the primary requirement. Solar installation companies licensed in multiple states can gain access to more job opportunities. 

GreenLancer’s platform streamlines O&M project coordination, enhancing operational efficiency. Standardized processes and rigorous quality control ensure that projects are completed smoothly and meet high industry standards.

With digital tools that optimize scheduling, reporting, and customer communication, field service providers can focus on delivering quality field service work while GreenLancer manages logistics. GreenLancer pairs each provider with a dedicated coordinator who offers direct support to address questions, resolve issues, and maintain a seamless workflow throughout the entire process.

• Southern Alabama

• Phoenix, Arizona

• Southern Georgia

• New Orleans, Louisiana

• New Jersey

• Ohio

• West Virginia

Plus, we’re looking for SunPower-certified installers nationwide.

GreenLancer’s onboarding process for O&M service providers begins with completing a form on this webpage. Once approved and field service providers are needed in a given area, providers go through a platform training session. This session covers navigating the GreenLancer platform, payment processes, and workflow expectations. 

After onboarding, GreenLancer assigns each provider a coordinator to offer ongoing support. Field service providers then submit bids on projects.

Though technicians might initially hesitate to service systems installed by others, developing O&M capabilities creates substantial business expansion potential.. Offering solar O&M services for third-party arrays allows a company to generate steady revenue, help solar system orphans, and build a reputation as a reliable PV company.

“I worked for a Michigan solar company before joining GreenLancer, and our service department was operating at a loss,” explains Drew Duncanson, now field services coordinator for GreenLancer. 

“All the money was being made in new installations. That all changed pretty quickly when we partnered with GreenLancer, and the service department became profitable. GreenLancer introduced us to third-party work and we got comfortable working on systems we didn’t install.”