Top 8 CRMs for Solar Companies: Picking the Perfect System for Success

78%  of global sales leaders have witnessed CRM software positively affecting their sales and marketing teams’ combined efforts. That’s the power of a well-oiled CRM machine. Yet, in the solar industry, there’s a lingering hesitation. Some worry that off-the-shelf CRMs won’t cut it for their unique needs. But what if we told you there’s a solution tailor-made for the solar companies?

Solar companies encounter unique challenges, such as lengthy sales cycles, intricate lead tracking, and complex project management. Therefore, having specialized CRMs for solar companies is essential, not merely a nice-to-have. A CRM for solar companies is the key to unlocking greater efficiency, boosting your bottom line, and setting you on a path to sustainable growth.

This blog explores the top 10 CRMs for solar companies adaptable enough to fit your unique processes. We’ll dissect features, compare pricing, and weigh the benefits to help you choose the perfect CRM to supercharge your solar business.

All About CRMs for Solar Companies 

Solar CRM software is a tool for catering to solar companies’ unique needs. Unlike generic CRMs, Solar CRM systems are customized and trained to work specifically around the intricacies of the solar industry. Such a CRM platform often has many features that help streamline the solar business operations, improve customer relationships, and boost overall efficiency.

Primary features of Solar CRM software include:

• Lead Management: Track and organize leads from initial inquiry to conversion, with automation for follow-ups and customer communication. Studies show businesses using CRM for lead nurturing generate 50% more sales-ready leads at 33% lower cost. Learn more about optimizing your lead generation process with “How to Use HubSpot for Lead Generation: A 5 Step Guide.”
• Sales Pipeline: Manage the entire sales process, from proposal generation to contract signing, ensuring no deal slips through the cracks. CRMs can increase sales by up to 29% by providing a transparent sales pipeline overview.
• Project Management: Coordinate solar installations, track tasks, and monitor project progress to ensure timely delivery. 
• Customer Support: Provide post-installation service with access to a complete history of customer interactions, installations, and warranties. Furthermore, studies show that most American consumers (nearly 80%) prioritize speed, convenience, knowledgeable assistance, and friendly service to have an outstanding customer experience.  
• Integration with Solar Tools: Seamlessly connect with solar design software, proposal generation tools, and financing platforms, saving time and reducing errors.

CRMs for solar companies also help companies optimize their sales, project workflows, and team performance by enhancing inter-organizational communication and delivering enriching customer experiences. This results in faster growth, improved productivity, and greater profitability. Moreover, by choosing a CRM tailored for your solar business, you benefit from features like integrated solar design tools, solar-specific proposal generation, and workflow automation, all of which save time and increase operational efficiency.

Top 8 CRMs for Solar Companies

Let’s explore the top contenders in the market and help you find the perfect fit for your company’s needs.

1. Shape

Shape CRM is regarded as one of the best all-in-one solutions for solar companies. It offers comprehensive features, including sales automation, proposal generation, customer tracking, and project management.

Best For: Solar companies seeking a comprehensive CRM with all the necessary tools for managing sales, customers, and projects.

2. SPOTIO

SPOTIO is built for companies with large field sales teams. It offers advanced tracking and management features to streamline field operations and provides real-time visibility into team performance and customer interactions.

Best For: Solar businesses with large field sales teams needing real-time insights and tracking capabilities.

3. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is known for its highly customizable features, which are perfect for teams with complex operational needs. It offers automation, workflow management, and integrations with solar tools.

Best For: Solar companies with complex operations seeking affordable, customizable solutions.

4. Freshworks

Freshworks CRM offers AI-powered sales pipeline management to optimize sales strategies. It helps solar sales teams automate tasks, forecast sales, and track customer interactions efficiently.

Best For: Solar companies looking for AI-driven insights and automation to enhance their sales pipeline management.

5. HubSpot

HubSpot’s free CRM is considered one of the best for providing robust customer relationship management and powerful marketing automation. Its comprehensive feature set covers every aspect of sales, marketing, and customer support.

Best For: Solar companies seeking an easy-to-use CRM with powerful marketing and customer service tools.

6. Salesforce Sales Cloud

Salesforce is a leading CRM provider, and its Sales Cloud is highly customizable for solar companies. It offers powerful internal communication tools, task management, and advanced analytics for managing multiple deals simultaneously.

Best For: Solar businesses with large sales teams and complex deal management needs.

7. Pipedrive

Pipedrive offers an intuitive and user-friendly CRM with customizable sales stages. It’s ideal for solar businesses prioritizing simplicity and efficiency in managing their leads and sales pipeline.

Best For: Small to medium-sized solar companies looking for a simple and affordable CRM focused on sales.

8. Insightly

Insightly combines CRM functionality with integrated project management tools, making it ideal for solar companies managing customer relationships and projects simultaneously. It also offers advanced data analytics and workflow automation.

Best For: Solar companies that require a CRM with built-in project management and advanced analytics.

Best CRMs for Solar Companies: Ultimate CRM Comparison Guide

Here, we have accumulated a breakdown of the top CRMs for solar companies, helping you find the perfect software to grow your business:

Choosing the right CRM can be daunting. Whether you’re considering HubSpot or Salesforce for your solar business, each offers unique strengths tailored to different business sizes and needs. Dive into our detailed comparison to weigh their features, usability, and customization options, helping you decide which CRM better suits your needs: HubSpot vs. Salesforce: Which is the Right Option for You? This guide will evaluate both platforms side-by-side, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your business objectives.

Finding Perfect CRM for Your Solar Company Match: 4 Key Factors to Consider

With so many CRMs vying for your attention, the selection process can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Let’s break down the key factors to consider when making your choice.

i. Company Size and Needs

If you’re a smaller solar company or just starting, you’ll likely benefit from a Solar sales CRM that is affordable and easy to use. HubSpot’s free CRM is an excellent option, offering essential features like contact management, deal tracking, and email marketing automation without breaking the bank. Similarly, Pipedrive is known for its intuitive interface and streamlined sales pipeline management, making it an excellent choice for teams who want to get up and running quickly.

Meanwhile, more robust CRM for solar installers like Salesforce Sales Cloud or Shape might better fit larger enterprises with more complex needs. These platforms offer advanced features such as customizable workflows, AI-powered insights, and extensive integration options, allowing you to scale your operations effectively.

ii. Budget

CRM pricing varies widely, from free plans with limited features to premium subscriptions with all the bells and whistles. Shape, for example, starts at $119 per user/ month and offers a comprehensive suite of sales and marketing tools tailored for solar businesses, making it one of the Best CRMs for Solar Companies. It’s crucial to assess your budget and weigh the cost against the features and functionalities you require.

HubSpot’s free Solar CRM software is an attractive option for businesses with tight budgets, but as your business grows, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan to access more advanced features.

iii. Specific Features

Different CRMs excel in different areas for solar companies. Consider your company’s specific needs and pain points to identify which features are most important to you.

• Project Management: If you need robust project management capabilities to track installations and coordinate teams, Insightly is a great choice. It seamlessly blends CRM with project management functionalities.
• Field Sales: For businesses that focus heavily on field sales, SPOTIO offers a powerful solution with features like GPS tracking, territory management, and automated lead assignment designed to empower your sales team on the go.
• Inbound Marketing: HubSpot shines in this area, offering a comprehensive suite of inbound marketing and sales tools to attract, engage, and delight customers. It allows you to create and manage content, automate marketing campaigns, and track leads throughout their journey, all within a single Solar sales CRM platform.

iv. Ease of Use

A CRM’s user-friendliness or intuitive UI ensures quick adoption and maximizes productivity. Conversely, a complex and difficult-to-navigate system can lead to frustration and wasted time. Pipedrive, Freshworks, and HubSpot are all known for their intuitive interfaces and ease of use, making them suitable even for teams with limited technical expertise. These platforms typically offer drag-and-drop functionality, clear visualizations, and streamlined workflows, enabling your team to focus on what matters most—building relationships and closing deals.

By carefully evaluating these four factors — company size and needs, budget, specific features, and ease of use — you’ll be well on your way to selecting the ideal Solar CRM software that empowers your business to thrive in the competitive solar industry.

 Remember, the right CRM can streamline your processes and maximize your success. HubSpot is a particularly attractive option for solar companies, especially those focused on inbound marketing and customer service.

Why Choose HubSpot for Your Solar Company CRM?

• Integrated Inbound Marketing Suite

HubSpot stands out in the CRM landscape due to its robust suite of inbound marketing tools, which are particularly advantageous for solar companies looking to attract, engage, and convert their target audience. The platform enables you to create and manage high-quality content, optimize SEO, and execute effective marketing campaigns that draw in leads organically. This comprehensive approach to inbound marketing is essential for building visibility and credibility in the competitive solar market.

• Scalability for Every Stage of Growth

Regardless of your company’s size—from startups just carving out a niche to established players looking to expand—HubSpot offers scalable solutions that grow with your business. Start with the free CRM to handle essential tasks like contact management, deal tracking, and email marketing automation. As your business needs evolve, you can seamlessly transition to more advanced features available in paid plans, which offer deeper analytics, more extensive automation, and greater customization options without switching platforms.

• User-Friendly Interface Enhances Productivity

HubSpot is renowned for its intuitive design and user-friendly interface, making it easy for your team to adopt and maximize productivity. The CRM’s simplicity does not sacrifice power; it allows even non-tech-savvy users to efficiently manage complex sales cycles and customer relationships with minimal training. This ease of use ensures that your team can focus on what matters most—nurturing leads and closing sales—without getting bogged down by complicated software.

• Powerful Integration Capabilities

Integrating with other tools—such as solar design software, proposal generators, and financing platforms—is crucial for solar companies. HubSpot excels in this area, offering extensive APIs and integration capabilities that allow you to connect all your tools into a cohesive system. This streamlines workflows and ensures accuracy and efficiency in data handling, from lead generation to project completion.

• Exceptional Support and Resources

When you choose HubSpot, you’re not just getting a CRM; you’re also gaining access to a wealth of resources and a supportive community. HubSpot Academy offers training and certifications that empower your team with the knowledge to utilize all aspects of the CRM effectively. Additionally, HubSpot’s customer support is responsive and helpful, ready to assist you in overcoming any challenges quickly.

• Cost-Effectiveness

Starting with a free version that is significantly robust for many solar companies, HubSpot offers an excellent cost-to-feature ratio. This makes it an ideal choice for companies mindful of their budgets without sacrificing the quality and depth of CRM functionalities. As your needs grow, the CRM scales with your business, providing more advanced tools that justify the additional investment.

By choosing HubSpot as your solar company’s CRM, you will streamline your sales and marketing processes and align your solar business with modern, efficient practices that can significantly enhance customer acquisition and retention.

Transform Your CRM Strategy with INSIDEA’s HubSpot Services

As a HubSpot Diamond Solutions Partner, we’re passionate about helping businesses unlock the full potential of their HubSpot investment. So if you’re a solar company seeking a CRM that genuinely understands your industry, our team of HubSpot specialists is ready to step in and provide expert guidance and support, no matter where you are in your HubSpot journey. 

Whether you’re just starting or looking to fine-tune your existing setup, we’ll collaborate closely to understand your solar business’s unique needs and develop customized solutions that deliver tangible results!

Explore Our Comprehensive HubSpot Services:

• HubSpot Onboarding: We’ll ensure a seamless transition and get your team up and running with HubSpot quickly and efficiently.
• HubSpot Management: Our ongoing management services optimize your HubSpot environment for peak performance so you can focus on your core business.
• HubSpot Migration: We’ll handle your data migration with precision and care, ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing the value of your CRM.
• HubSpot White-Label Solutions: Elevate your brand with our exclusive white-label services, allowing you to offer HubSpot solutions under your name.

Unlock the Full Potential of HubSpot with INSIDEA

We know that successful HubSpot implementation goes beyond just software. That’s why we offer strategic consulting to help you develop targeted campaigns that resonate with your audience and drive conversions.

Ready to take your HubSpot efforts to the next level?  Book a meeting with our experts today and discover how we can help you achieve your business goals.