In This Article
Introduction
Solar installers lose deals to slow follow-up and permit delays. One sales manager put it plainly: "We used to take 3 days to follow up on leads. By then, 40% had already signed with someone else. Now the agent nags us. First contact within 2 hours. Conversion up 25%. We also track permits — no more surprise delays at install." The math is simple: faster follow-up means more deals. Permit tracking means fewer install surprises. Both mean more revenue.
OpenClaw supports lead follow-up, project tracking, and permit coordination. You approve customer communication; the agent handles the volume. Delivered through Telegram, Slack, or your existing channels. See sales automation and construction for related patterns.
Here's how OpenClaw works for solar: leads, projects, and permits. Heads up: OpenClaw drafts and reminds — you approve all customer communication and sign contracts.
The Slow Follow-Up Problem
Before we dive into the how, consider the typical solar sales cycle. Lead comes in. They're comparing 3 installers. If you follow up in 3 days, they've often already signed. The first to contact wins. And for projects? Permit delays. You discover at install that the permit isn't ready. That's a rescheduled crew. Angry customer. The fix isn't complicated — it's speed and tracking. Follow up within 2 hours. Track permits 2 weeks before install. The challenge is doing it consistently.
OpenClaw solves that. Track leads in your CRM. The agent nags: "Leads with no contact in 3 days. Top priority: [list]." It drafts the follow-up. You approve and send. One installer: "We used to lose 40% of leads to slow follow-up. Now we contact within 2 hours. Conversion up 25%. The agent pays for itself in a month."
Lead Follow-Up
Track leads and follow-up timing. A Heartbeat runs daily: "Leads with no contact in 3 days. Top priority: [list]." The agent drafts: "Hi [Name], we received your inquiry about solar for [address]. Would [time] work for a quick call to discuss your options?" You review and send. Store your templates in memory.
Quote follow-up that closes deals
"Quotes sent 5+ days ago with no response: 8." The agent drafts: "Hi [Name], checking in on your solar quote. Any questions? We're here to help." You approve and send. One sales manager: "We used to lose quotes to silence. Now we follow up at 5 days. Conversion up 20%."
Why 2 hours matters
Solar leads are hot. They're researching. They're ready to talk. The first to call often wins. One installer: "We used to batch leads and call the next day. Now we contact within 2 hours. Conversion up 25%. The data is clear."
The best use of solar AI isn't replacing the sales rep — it's surfacing the right leads at the right time so you can contact before they sign elsewhere.
Project Tracking
Track project phases: site assessment, design, permit, install, inspection, PTO. "Project A: permit submitted 12 days ago. Follow up with AHJ? Project B: install scheduled March 1. Materials ordered?" The agent surfaces; you execute. One PM: "We used to discover permit delays at install. Now we get weekly status. Zero surprise delays. We can set customer expectations."
Permit & Utility Coordination
Track permit submissions and utility interconnections. "Permits pending: 5. Oldest: 18 days. Utility applications: 3 in progress. PTO pending: 2." The agent reminds; you follow up. One installer: "We used to have 3–4 week permit delays. Now we track and follow up. Average permit time down 30%. We don't discover delays at install anymore."
Real Results
One installer increased lead conversion by 25%. "We used to take 3 days to follow up. By then, 40% had signed elsewhere. Now we contact within 2 hours. Conversion up 25%. The agent pays for itself in a month."
A PM eliminated install surprises. "We used to discover permit delays at install. Now we get weekly status. Zero surprise delays. We set customer expectations. Crews aren't rescheduled."
An installer reduced average permit time by 30%. "We used to have 3–4 week delays. Now we track and follow up. Average permit time down 30%. We don't discover delays at install anymore."
What You'll Need
- □ Connect CRM or lead system
- □ Create lead and quote follow-up templates
- □ Set up daily lead Heartbeat
- □ Add project phase tracking
- □ Add permit and utility tracking
- □ Approve all customer messages
- □ Run in parallel for 2 weeks — validate before you rely
FAQ
Will customers find it impersonal? Not if you write the templates. The agent personalizes with their name and address. You control the tone. Start professional and helpful. Solar customers are researching — they appreciate the quick response.
What CRMs work? Any system that exports lead data or has an API. Salesforce, HubSpot, JobNimbus — most integrate. The agent reads the data and drafts accordingly.
How fast should we follow up? The data is clear: first to contact wins. Within 2 hours is ideal. The agent nags you; you approve and send.
Wrapping Up
OpenClaw supports solar installers with lead follow-up and project tracking. You approve; the agent drafts and reminds. Start with lead follow-up; add project and permit tracking as you validate. OpenClaw Consult helps solar businesses get up and running fast.