Wolf&Grayson EditorialThe solar industry is entering a new phase of growth, one defined less by panel installations and more by battery storage, service protection, and long-term solar care. Dean Chiaravallotti, Chief Revenue Officer at Solar Insure, works closely with solar contractors nationwide as homeowners seek greater energy resilience, battery retrofits, trust and security beyond traditional manufacturer warranties.
Revisiting Homes for Battery Retrofits
Something interesting is happening across the country. Contractors are returning to homes where they installed solar years ago, but this time they are not there to make repairs. They are adding batteries instead. “Battery-only retrofits are surging, especially where solar was installed without storage,” Chiaravallotti says. The homes already have solar panels in place. Now homeowners want to store that energy rather than send the excess back to the grid. This shift creates a new kind of opportunity. “Homeowners are being offered service protection and energy upgrades,” he explains. What used to be a one-time transaction is becoming a long-term relationship. Contractors who maintain connections with past customers now have a built-in market for battery installations.
Why Virtual Power Plants Are Accelerating Battery Adoption
Utility companies are getting serious about distributed battery storage. “VPP, or virtual power plant programs, are active in more than twelve states, with incentives from utilities to install batteries,” Chiaravallotti says. Additional initiatives are launching as utilities realize that thousands of home batteries can help stabilize the grid during peak demand. For contractors, these programs create extra value they can offer homeowners alongside the benefits of backup power. The economics are changing too. “Battery-first selling is becoming the margin lifeline for forward-thinking providers,” he notes. Some contractors are now leading with batteries instead of solar panels, using higher margins and utility incentives to strengthen their businesses.
Battery Storage as the Next Growth Engine for Solar Contractors
Chiaravallotti believes batteries will soon become the main growth driver. “Battery add-ons will become the primary growth engine for the next three to five years,” he predicts. Consumer demand is being fueled by two key motivations: the desire for backup power when the grid goes down and the ability to lower utility bills by storing off-peak energy. “Utilities and regulators will prioritize VPP enrollment to stabilize the grid,” he adds, meaning even more programs and incentives are on the horizon. Another trend is accelerating this shift. Many solar contractors from the early boom years have gone out of business, leaving homeowners without service support. “Service-first strategies will become essential to reconnect with homeowners whose original contractor has closed,” Chiaravallotti says. Contractors who can step in and provide reliable service have a clear and lasting advantage.
Filling the Service Gap Left by Early Solar Installers
Solar Insure offers battery warranties that extend far beyond standard manufacturer coverage. “Homeowners get thirty years of battery protection even if the manufacturer warranty ends,” Chiaravallotti explains. This level of protection matters because batteries are expensive, and many homeowners worry about what happens when warranties expire or their original installer is no longer in business.
How Solar Insure Is Reinventing Solar’s Safety Net
To solve that problem, Solar Insure dispatches certified service providers to support warranty holders whose contractors have closed. “Our certified providers are being dispatched for system service for warranty holders whose original contractor is out of business,” he says. For contractors, collaboration with Solar Insure is more than an operational advantage, it is a signal of credibility and long-term commitment. “Working with Solar Insure signals credibility, transparency, and long-term care,” he adds. Chiaravallotti’s view of where the industry is headed is clear. “The solar boom created millions of systems with solar. The battery boom will define the next era,” he says. Contractors who evolve from installation-only models to service-focused operations will be best positioned for growth. “If you are ready to lead with service, protect your installs, and get ahead of VPP adoption, let’s talk,” he says. The opportunity is wide open for solar energy contractors ready to adapt.
Connect with Dean Chiaravallotti on LinkedIn to explore how service-led strategies are reshaping the solar and battery industry or visit solarinsure.com
