Solar Energy Systems Financial Models
Compare 4 operating formats. Choose the type that matches how you will sell, serve customers and use capacity.
Choose your business type (4)
Supplies and physically installs solar installations and physical operations under a defined project scope. It manages procurement and execution rather than simply referring the customer to an installer.
- Earns from
- Accepted project or work milestone
- Sales limited by
- Procurement lead times, installation crews and site schedule
Owns and operates physical infrastructure that supplies solar installations and physical operations to external users. The operator retains asset responsibility and earns delivered utility output rather than only installation fees.
- Earns from
- Externally billed kilowatt-hour
- Sales limited by
- Installed generation capacity, seasonal resource yield, uptime and offtake limits
Provides scheduled recurring solar installations and physical operations across geographically grouped customer sites. Route density, service frequency and standardized work distinguish it from isolated on-demand visits.
- Earns from
- Contract-month or completed route visit
- Sales limited by
- Route density, visit duration and frequency
Performs a defined physical work package for a prime contractor or trade partner, delivering solar installations and physical operations. The scope states which materials, equipment and design responsibilities belong to each party.
- Earns from
- Accepted work unit, milestone or billed hour
- Sales limited by
- Trade crew availability and project access
Compare the operating logic
Open comparison| Business type | What earns revenue | What limits sales |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Solar Supply and Installation | Accepted project or work milestone | Procurement lead times, installation crews and site schedule |
| Owned Solar Generation with Energy Sales | Externally billed kilowatt-hour | Installed generation capacity, seasonal resource yield, uptime and offtake limits |
| Customer-System Maintenance Routes | Contract-month or completed route visit | Route density, visit duration and frequency |
| Solar EPC Installation Subcontractor | Accepted work unit, milestone or billed hour | Trade crew availability and project access |
Build a plan around your own assumptions
Read the planning guideCompare the format, then check the workbook inputs and outputs on its model page.
Questions
Which model should I choose?
Match the paying customer, billing unit, location and capacity constraints to your intended operation. Review the full model page to check its scope and workbook status.
Can I combine business types?
Some formats can share premises or staff. Shared resources and revenue need to be counted once. Check the combination notes on each model page.