Residential Solar Lead Generation in the U.S

The U.S. residential solar market is exploding. With rising energy bills, generous tax credits, and more eco-conscious homeowners than ever, demand for solar power is at an all-time high. But with that demand comes a wave of new competition—and plenty of misinformation about how to find customers.

Whether you’re just launching your solar company or trying to scale your install crews, lead generation is the lifeblood of your business. And how you go about it could mean the difference between growth and burnout.

At David Hannah Marketing, we help solar companies across the United States generate exclusive, high-converting residential leads through tailored digital funnels that deliver real results—not recycled contact lists or broken promises.

Want to learn more? Book a strategy session here 

Understanding the U.S. Residential Solar Landscape

Homeowners today aren’t just buying panels—they’re buying trust. With hundreds of solar companies in each state, many customers feel overwhelmed. The most common questions they ask:

• Will this really save me money?

• Can I trust this company with my home?

• What’s the catch with all these “$0 down” offers?

Your lead generation strategy needs to do more than collect contact info. It needs to build credibility, reduce friction, and deliver value at every step.

Pricing: What Should You Expect to Pay?

Here’s what U.S. solar companies typically pay for residential leads:

• Shared marketplace leads: $70–$150 (cold, low conversion, not exclusive)
• Exclusive leads via Google/Meta campaigns: $50–$100 per lead (higher conversion, more control)
• Full-service lead generation system: $3,000–$6,000/month including ads, automation, and strategy

You’ll often hear people asking for “free leads” or posting on Reddit about how to find customers without spending a dollar. The truth is this:

Free leads don't exist—only leads you’ve earned through time or paid for in money.

If you're not paying in dollars, you’re paying in time, missed opportunity, or reputation risk. It’s why serious solar companies invest in building a pipeline, not just chasing shortcuts.

Why Pay-Per-Sale Solar Leads Are a Terrible Idea

Pay-per-sale sounds attractive—"only pay if you close." But here’s what most companies don’t tell you:

• You're still competing against 2–5 other installers for the same homeowner
• These leads are unqualified and ice-cold
• The quality is often so low you’ll waste hours chasing ghosts
• Providers use your brand equity and install crew to close their own deals

You’re not building your brand—you’re building theirs. And when the leads dry up, you’re left with no pipeline, no assets, and no control.

Best Lead Generation Channels for U.S. Solar

The most effective strategy combines multiple platforms and automated nurturing. Here’s how they compare:

Meta (Facebook & Instagram)

• Ideal for top-of-funnel awareness and emotional storytelling
• Strong suburb/ZIP targeting and cost-effective
• Works well when paired with SMS/email follow-up
• Google Ads (Search & Performance Max)

Best for high-intent searches like “solar panels for home” or “best solar installers in Texas”

• Converts better but has higher cost-per-click in competitive states
• Excellent for inbound lead volume and SEO support

Reddit, Craigslist, and Forums: Why They’re a Waste of Time

• Leads from these platforms are often price-shopping, anonymous, or spam
• No intent signals, zero brand connection
• You’ll spend more time filtering out junk than actually selling

If your solar team is full-time and serious about scaling, DIY lead gen just doesn’t deliver the volume or consistency you need.

Why Exclusive Leads Matter (And Why They’re So Rare)

Most lead providers don’t give you true exclusivity. They promise it, but:

• Use generic landing pages
• Collect the same form data for 3–5 companies
• Sell that data the second it's submitted

Exclusive leads mean:

• The ad, offer, and landing page are branded to your company
• The customer has only interacted with your business
• You're not racing other installers for the same deal

At David Hannah Marketing, we build exclusive, white-label systems that generate warm leads just for you. No data sharing. No dilution. Just results.

Building a Brand Pipeline, Not a One-Off Campaign

The best solar companies in the U.S. don’t buy leads—they build marketing pipelines. Here’s how:

• Run high-performing ads across Meta and Google
• Drive traffic to custom landing pages with your branding
• Capture and qualify leads with clear CTAs (quote, calculator, audit)
• Warm leads with automated email/SMS sequences
• Hand off to your sales team at the right time

This system builds trust, repeatability, and data ownership—unlike temporary lead-buying schemes that offer no equity.

Costs That Go Beyond Ads

When building your lead generation strategy, factor in the full picture:

• Creative Assets: Ad copy, visuals, and trust elements
• Landing Page Optimisation: One poor headline can double your CPL
• Follow-Up Automation: Leads go cold within hours if not contacted
• Reputation Management: Social proof increases close rates by 30%+
• CRM Integration: Tracking leads through your pipeline is essential

We handle all of these under one roof. No guessing. No duct-taped systems. Just a full-stack approach that scales.

Choosing the Right Lead Generation Partner

Before committing to any agency or provider, ask:

• Are the leads exclusive and branded to me?
• Do I own the assets and data?
• What happens after the lead is submitted—who’s warming them?
• Can you build campaigns tied to state-specific incentives (e.g. SRECs, NEM, IRA credits)?
• What’s your experience with residential solar across different markets?

At David Hannah Marketing, we’re proud to say: yes to all of the above.

We’ve helped residential solar companies right across the US build complete lead pipelines that convert at a lower cost and higher efficiency than most internal sales teams could achieve on their own.

Ready to Build a Residential Solar Funnel That Converts?

We don’t sell spreadsheets—we build predictable, branded lead systems that feed your sales team and grow your company.

If you're serious about scaling and tired of chasing cold leads, book a free strategy call with our team today.

Let’s build a funnel that brings in more installs, better customers, and lasting equity in your solar brand. Why wait? Request a strategy session here.