Episode 843
843: The Real Reason Residential Solar Is Still Too Expensive (in the US) | OpenSolar’s Andrew McGuigan
Why is residential solar still so hard in the US? Andrew McGuigan will wager an answer.
After 13 years in the solar trenches—from knocking doors at Sungevity to leading OpenSolar’s global expansion—Andrew has seen every twist of the solar coaster. Now at OpenSolar, he’s got a front row seat to helping 25,000+ installers worldwide streamline their businesses and survive the industry’s many curveballs.
In this live conversation from the NABCEP 2025 stage, Andrew unpacks the economic and operational bottlenecks plaguing U.S. residential solar—and how he’s helping contractors fight back. From permitting nightmares to bloated sales commissions, the U.S. market still carries some of the highest soft costs on Earth.
But there’s a shift underway—one driven by smart workflows, instant permitting, embedded finance, and a deep understanding of the homeowner journey.
💥 Expect to learn
🔹 Why US solar costs 2-3x more than global markets—and how to fix it
🔹 The hidden costs of permitting and how SolarAPP is changing the game
🔹 How OpenSolar’s “cash flow” feature is replacing QuickBooks for installers
🔹 Why consultative sales and storage are reshaping the residential pitch
Whether you’re a new installer or an industry veteran, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s working—and what’s broken—in residential solar right now. Andrew’s practical insights and global perspective make this a must-listen for anyone navigating today’s market.
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