Top 3 Trends for New Renewable Energy Companies in 2010

This posts comes from our second industry insider, Brian Hayden. Brian adds a unique perspective to the clean tech industry by providing high quality, industry certified renewable energy training to building professionals. I’m looking forward his future posts.

2009 was another banner year for geothermal and solar companies. There’s good reason for optimism in 2010, but several key trends are already beginning to reshape the industry. Here are the top three things you should keep in mind as you put together your business plan for next year:

1. You’ll need credentials to access incentives. States need to show they are spending taxpayer dollars responsibly and requiring credentials to access rebate programs is an easy way to do that. IGSHPA (Geothermal Industry) and NABCEP and IREC (Solar Industry) are emerging as the de facto credentials. More states will follow early adopters like Connecticut to do this in 2010.

2. Building efficiency will be a part of the sales conversation. As consumers get wise about energy consumption, they’re starting to ask more questions about building efficiency and load reduction. Growth of geothermal and solar will grow as a compliment to building efficiency and you’ll be hearing more of these types of questions if you’re talking to customers.

3. Good business people will rise to the top. Companies that have good customer service, quality products, and happy customers have survived the recession and are best positioned to succeed in this growing market. It’s not good enough to be a first-mover anymore – big or small, great businesses that can execute will be most successful in 2010.

Change creates opportunity. These trends can be the things that drive the growth of your business in 2010 if you recognize the need to get out ahead of them.