Popular Power exhibited at RE+ 2024 in Anaheim, an annual event that brings together over 40,000 professionals from the renewable energy industry Last week, we got to officially introduce Popular Power to the industry at RE+ 2024 in Anaheim. It's inspiring to work collectively, with purpose, on the greatest challenge of our time: the energy transition. This excitement and ambition were palpable at RE+ 2024. The event brought together over 40,000 professionals from the renewable energy industry, fostering collaboration and innovation. As we reflect on our experience, where Popular Power was recognized as a Top 10 Startup, we'd like to share some key insights that stood out. Here are our main takeaways from this year's conference. Takeaway # 1: Healthy environment for growth and M&A in the $40Bn solar PV software space Lots of opportunities for M&A and partnership opportunities in the $40Bn solar PV software space, whether for or with established companies or smaller startups. I predict there will be significant consolidation in the solar PV software industry in the next 5-10 years. It was also great to see the AI developments in the solar software space. I sensed potential customers (solar companies) were curious about AI solutions. I found it refreshing that AI solutions weren’t overhyped as they are in other industries. Solar companies are hyper-focused on deployment and growing their installed capacity (plus, it’s a competitive industry), so I predict they will be smart about choosing AI solutions that affect topline KPIs or significantly automate current manual processes. Takeaway # 2: Specialized software tools proved more effective at demonstrating their value Software solutions with a more narrow focus (at least in marketing & communications) stood out more because they could more clearly communicate their value to solar companies. In 2024, I'm not sure how relevant “one software to rule them all” is, especially in a world where software can be compared to tools in a toolbelt. Yes, some tools are more universal than others-- but you also need more specialized tools to get certain jobs done. Several solutions marketed as the CRM or ERP for solar cos (at all market segments: residential, C&I, and utility-scale) struggled to stand out in my opinion. Unfortunately, saying you can do "everything" is too ambiguous-- so, the potential customer is left thinking the offer is "nothing." Takeaway # 3: Post-sales is the next big thing in the solar industry The post-sales problem is about to be a way bigger problem, aka opportunity. What is the post-sales / O&M problem? Right now, as an industry, we are hyper-focused on everything that happens leading up to the sale: lead generation, design, proposal, quoting, installation plan, etc. This hyper focus on pre-sales / sales means that solar companies often (unintentionally) forget about the world of opportunities that exist to generate value once the solar asset is installed. Installed solar assets will generate a lifetime of value and data– plus, they need maintenance. Post-sales is everything that happens once an asset is installed– such as Operations & Maintenance (O&M), upselling, REC & other incentive generation, and end-user reporting. I saw confirmation of my thesis that post-sales (everything that happens once an asset is installed) is going to be a much bigger focus next in solar. To date, software solutions have focused on pre-sales because that’s where the money is (I sell solar = I get paid). Several factors are leading to the higher focus on post-sales and O&M: Sunpower going out of business and leaving 100k+ homes without a service provider in the USA Several solar sales scams uncovered in the past 3 years, meaning customers are wary of companies with post sales service and O&M plan We are coming up on the expiration date of service for many initial PPAs in the industry in the USA, which means PPA customers (C&I) are analyzing what to do now for O&M Due to the general growth of distributed solar in the USA (and worldwide), it’s natural that many companies popped up to sell, install, and make a quick buck— and are now out of business. These are just some examples of factors that have contributed to end users of solar being left with no service provider. It’s so common that we now have a word for it: solar orphans. Today, solar companies providing solar should be paying attention to post-sales in order to stay competitive and relevant. Especially because it’s something that end-users of solar will be looking for in a service provider. Takeaway # 4: The post-sales software space is growing and is a space to watch While there may be clear winners or dominating players in the “pre-sales” (lead gen, design, quoting, proposals, etc.) software space ( OpenSolar ,   Aurora Solar ,   SOLO LLC ), there are no clear winners in post-sales– especially due to takeaway #3 (this is a new problem / opportunity). This is a space to watch.

It’s official– the best solar companies are Popular Powered! Last week, Popular customer  Navajo Power Home  received monumental recognition from leading private-sector and government entities across the United States, including  Qcells North America , The  U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) , and  Clean Energy for America .  Navajo Power Home uses the Popular Power platform to manage its portfolio of 270+ solar sites, including key activities such as: Register site installations, including photos, paperwork, and contracts Register routine and corrective maintenance visits, including checklists and photos Manage, assign, and view all technician’s O&M activities; plus analyze frequency and recurrence of corrective maintenance issues Track and monetize over $70k USD annually in Renewable Energy Credits Track and report KPIs to leverage >$10M USD in financing We are proud to be Navajo Power Home’s primary software tool and we look forward to continuing to be their partner in growth as they scale to reach 1,000 customers by 2026.  Read more below in the press release from Qcells.  FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Aug. 28, 2024 – Qcells, a premier provider of complete clean energy solutions and a leader in U.S. solar panel manufacturing, and Navajo Power Home (NPH), a next-generation solar service provider for off-grid homes on Navajo and Hopi lands, today announced a partnership to provide high-quality, reliable electricity to an estimated 300 homes on the Navajo Nation reservation.   Earlier this year, Qcells donated 1,000 solar panels to Navajo Power Home. Not only is this the first solar panel donation received by NPH, but this is also the first at-scale donation from a solar manufacturer to support the electrification of tribal lands.   In addition to Qcells’ donation, today the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it has awarded a $5 million Fixed Energy Improvements in Rural Areas Grant to Navajo Power Home to expand its services and provide permanent, high-quality clean energy access to more rural indigenous communities on the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation.  Between the Qcells donation and the grant from DOE, NPH will meet its goals to power 1,000 homes by the end of 2025 and grow its team of 13, who currently make 33% more, on average, than other jobs offered across the Navajo Nation.  The Navajo Nation spans across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah with an estimated 15,000 homes still lacking access to electricity. Many homes rely on diesel generators for power which are expensive, noisy and produce harmful emissions. With Qcells’ high-efficiency panels and NPH’s installation and electricity services, the organizations are delivering clean energy powered electricity to families living in the Navajo Nation for the first time.   “We are excited to be here today to celebrate the Navajo Nation homes that will now have solar electricity,” said David Turk, U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary. “It’s especially gratifying that these solar panels were made right here in America by Qcells, a company dedicated to building a full solar supply chain in the U.S. We are also thrilled to announce a $5 million grant to Navajo Power Home, which will bring electricity to an additional 350 homes, thanks to President Biden’s historic climate legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act.” “We are proud to be providing people living on the Navajo Nation with access to reliable, affordable power for the first time,” said Danny O’Brien, President of Corporate Affairs for Qcells. “From turning on the lights to refrigerating groceries, we are excited to work with Navajo Power Home to make this a reality in more than 300 homes in the Navajo Nation. This donation really speaks to our ongoing commitment to sustainably power communities around the world with our U.S. manufactured solar panels and our full suite of clean energy solutions.”   “Our partnership with Qcells has transformed life for off-grid residents on Navajo and Hopi Tribal lands,” said Chanse Foster, General Manager of Navajo Power Home.  “Qcells’ generous solar panel donation has expanded electricity access in our communities and showcases the positive impact of sustainable energy.”  The Qcells donation will allow NPH to finance the installation of service for 15-20 additional homes, allowing NPH’s current resources to go farther. So far, NPH has installed 600kWp of solar to support 250 homes, providing 900 people with electricity access for the first time. The monthly cost to NPH’s customers ranges from $80-$240 a month, depending on the energy needs of each house. This is more affordable than the diesel generators that only run five hours a day, five days a week at about $200-$400 a month. Overall, customers currently relying on diesel generators can save 40% – 60% when working with NPH. They use federal funding to offer qualified customers – elderly, disabled, or single parent households – significantly reduced rates of $20-$50 a month. Qcells and NPH’s announcement coincides with the launch of a new digital video series, sponsored by Clean Energy for America Education Fund (CE4AEF), which features some families benefiting from this partnership. The videos, released today, are available on CE4AEF’s website , YouTube  and all its social channels. NPH team members with Qcells VP of Corporate Affairs Danny O’Brien, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk

Read all about us in Whitepaper , Descubre.vc , StartupsLatam , and more! With the announcement of our Pre-Seed funding round, Popular Power made some waves in the media last month. We've been featured in a handful of publications that took a closer look at our recent Pre-Seed round, the cool features we're rolling out, and some of the awesome customers and investors who are part of our journey. Check out the links below to get the scoop on how we're helping companies supercharge their solar operations Features in ENG 📘 ImpactAlpha  | Mexico’s Popular Power raises capital to help solar power developers optimize their systems 🟪 LatamList  | Popular Power raises $875K and launches B2B solar software platform 📗 Contxto  | Morgan Babbs shares vision for Popular Power after funding round ☀️ North American Clean Energy  | Page 108 - Product Features - Popular Power monitoring platform Features in ESP 📗 Contxto  | Morgan Babbs comparte su visión de Popular Power tras la ronda de financiación 🗞️ Reforma  | Capitanes - Software solar ✴️ TechLA  | Con $875,000 en capital, Popular Power lanza una innovadora plataforma de software para empoderar a las empresas solares a brindar excelencia posventa 🍎 América Economía  | Popular Power lanza plataforma de software para ayudar a las empresas solares a alcanzar excelencia posventa 🌎 Global Energy Mx  | Popular Power asegura 875,000 dólares para software de monitoreo fotovoltaicos Photo:

With $1,025,000 in funding, Popular Power  launches its i nnovative software platform empowering solar companies to deliver post-sales excellence The solar industry is booming, with projections indicating that 20% of the world's electricity demand will be solar-powered by 2024, and distributed solar PV being the fastest-growing source of electricity worldwide. According to the United States Department of Energy, the USA recently reached the milestone of 5 million homes with solar, which is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2034. Industry-enabling solutions like Popular Power's are critical to advancing this growth and supporting the rapid expansion of the solar industry. In Mexico alone, there are over 8,000 solar installers, highlighting the need for tools that simplify operations. [Leer en español] Update August 30th, 2024 -  Popular Power completed a small follow-on to the Pre-Seed Round, ultimately closing out the round at $1,025,000 USD. Mexico City, Mexico - July 17, 2024  - Popular Power, a cutting-edge software company , today announced the official launch of its revolutionary platform  designed to streamline monitoring, alerts, analytics, and performance tracking for solar companies. The company also announced the successful closing of its Pre-Seed funding round, which saw participation from strategic investors, including Amplifica Capital , Cerulean Ventures , 0bs.mx , Dunn Family Impact Capital , Golden Sail Ventures , and Mercy Corps Ventures . Popular Power's B2B platform consolidates a range of critical functions for solar companies in the residential and C&I spaces into a single, user-friendly interface. By integrating solar site monitoring, alerts, analytics, and performance tracking capabilities, the company enables solar providers to gain unprecedented visibility into their operations, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to enhance efficiency and profitability. With the platform, companies can better manage and process alerts, plan Operations & Maintenance activities, and automate reporting to their end users, among other features. “Solar companies battle with managing a different monitoring platform for each hardware solution they install. A typical solar company is relatively hardware agnostic, so may have 5-6 different hardware products they install. This results in segmented data, alerts, and analytics– leading to limited insights and a heavy reliance on manual processes,” explains Morgan Babbs , co-founder at Popular Power. The company's co-founders bring extensive experience in the solar space, having managed multiple "next-generation" utilities throughout the Americas, reaching over 30,000 end users with solar energy access in their previous ventures. "Our goal is to empower distributed solar companies with actionable data and insights to deliver post-sales excellence," said co-founder Morgan Babbs. "There has been so much innovation in the Solar PV software space on the pre-sales side– design, quoting, and proposals– but the post-sales side is still somewhat a desert. As an industry, we can’t keep acting like our job is over when an installation is complete– it’s quite the opposite, in fact. That’s just the beginning of when that solar asset generates value for the user. Distributed solar is a major part of our energy future, so we must empower solar companies to deliver long-term value. That’s what Popular Power is solving for." Anna Raptis, Principal at Amplifica Capital, commented on the investment: "Morgan and Manuel are entrepreneurs who represent the most relevant values for Amplifica Capital. Their proposal is an excellent example of how technology addresses the challenges faced in Latin America, by offering a solution that contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change. As investors, we look for business models that have the potential to provide extraordinary returns, and at the same time address Latin America's problems with innovation. Popular Power is a great example that this is possible." The inspiration behind Popular Power's name comes from Gretchen Bakke's book "The Grid," specifically the quote: "Everybody was using their fairly expensive, almost identical infrastructure [a grid] only part of the time because it was as cheap to produce their own power as it was to buy it from any centralized source." While this quote refers to the late 19th century when the grid was growing, and people initially preferred producing their own power, the co-founders see it as a nod to the future they envision, where it becomes cheaper and better for individuals to use power from their own source: solar. Popular Power aims to be an enabler of this energy transition. Popular Power launched it’s product in August 2023 and is already monitoring 39MW of residential and C&I solar sites on its platform. With the successful Pre-Seed funding round, Popular Power plans to expand its team, grow to new customers, and accelerate product development. While primarily marketing to Latin America, the company's product is ready for worldwide use. To access the platform, customers can sign up directly at app.popularpower.io  or contact morgan@popularpower.io . About Popular Power Popular Power is a software company that empowers solar companies with actionable data and insights to deliver post-sales excellence. By consolidating solar site monitoring into a single platform– independent of hardware brand– Popular Power allows customers to standardize alerts, analytics, and performance tracking, and share automated reports with their end users. Visit popularpower.io  to learn more. Pictured:   Hybrytec, a leading developer of photovoltaic projects in Colombia with over 63MWp of installed capacity, relies on the Popular Power platform to monitor its solar sites, including the series of installations totalling 22MWp for the Olímpica chain in Colombia, a project completed in collaboration with Compañia Energética de Occidente. Image courtesy of Hybrytec.