Should I Build It Should I Build It
11 Apr 2025
Climate Tech Home

an operational leasing model for making homes more sustainable through ...

...Solar PV, Heat pumps, Insulation and batteries

Confidence
Engagement
Net use signal
Net buy signal

Idea type: Run Away

Multiple attempts have failed with clear negative feedback. Continuing down this path would likely waste your time and resources when better opportunities exist elsewhere.

Should You Build It?

Don't build it.

Your are here

Your idea of an operational leasing model for sustainable home upgrades falls into a category where similar concepts have faced significant headwinds. With 7 similar products identified, competition is present. While the engagement (average of 35 comments) on these similar products is high, that in itself isn't necessarily an indicator of success. The provided metrics show there's no significant positive signals in either the "use" or "buy" dimensions. Several similar attempts have stumbled, often due to practical concerns around safety, legality, and cost-effectiveness, and the difficulties in addressing renter/landlord situations. Given this landscape, it's crucial to approach this cautiously and critically assess the viability of your specific implementation. It would be best to explore other ideas.

Recommendations

  1. Delve deeply into the negative comments from the similar product launches. Pay close attention to the concerns raised about safety, code violations (especially fire code), landlord approvals, and cost-effectiveness. Understanding these pain points is critical to avoiding the same pitfalls.
  2. Consider pivoting to address a related but distinct problem within the sustainable home improvement space. For example, could you focus on providing financing solutions or project management services for homeowners rather than renters, or focus on high-end retrofits for eco-conscious homeowners?
  3. If you've already developed any technology or processes for this leasing model, explore whether they can be repurposed for a different application. Perhaps the technology could be used in new construction projects or for commercial buildings.
  4. Reach out to individuals who have tried similar products or services and conduct in-depth interviews. Focus on understanding their actual needs, pain points, and what would make them adopt a sustainable home upgrade solution. Don't sell, just listen!
  5. Apply the insights you gain from this research to refine your existing idea or develop a completely new one. Focus on creating a solution that addresses the core challenges identified in the market.
  6. Given the concerns about safety and code compliance, consider focusing on standardization and certification. Could you partner with established certification bodies to offer pre-approved and certified sustainable home upgrade packages? This could build trust and alleviate concerns.
  7. Explore alternative business models that might be more viable in the current market. Instead of leasing, could you offer a subscription service for energy monitoring and optimization, or a pay-as-you-go model for specific upgrades?

Questions

  1. Given the prevalent concerns about fire safety and code violations, how can you proactively address these issues in your leasing model to ensure homeowner and landlord peace of mind?
  2. Considering the cost-effectiveness criticisms of similar products, what innovative financing or operational strategies can you employ to make sustainable home upgrades more affordable and attractive to a broader customer base?
  3. With the challenges of tenant/landlord dynamics in mind, how can you structure your leasing model to align the incentives of all stakeholders and overcome potential barriers to adoption?

Your are here

Your idea of an operational leasing model for sustainable home upgrades falls into a category where similar concepts have faced significant headwinds. With 7 similar products identified, competition is present. While the engagement (average of 35 comments) on these similar products is high, that in itself isn't necessarily an indicator of success. The provided metrics show there's no significant positive signals in either the "use" or "buy" dimensions. Several similar attempts have stumbled, often due to practical concerns around safety, legality, and cost-effectiveness, and the difficulties in addressing renter/landlord situations. Given this landscape, it's crucial to approach this cautiously and critically assess the viability of your specific implementation. It would be best to explore other ideas.

Recommendations

  1. Delve deeply into the negative comments from the similar product launches. Pay close attention to the concerns raised about safety, code violations (especially fire code), landlord approvals, and cost-effectiveness. Understanding these pain points is critical to avoiding the same pitfalls.
  2. Consider pivoting to address a related but distinct problem within the sustainable home improvement space. For example, could you focus on providing financing solutions or project management services for homeowners rather than renters, or focus on high-end retrofits for eco-conscious homeowners?
  3. If you've already developed any technology or processes for this leasing model, explore whether they can be repurposed for a different application. Perhaps the technology could be used in new construction projects or for commercial buildings.
  4. Reach out to individuals who have tried similar products or services and conduct in-depth interviews. Focus on understanding their actual needs, pain points, and what would make them adopt a sustainable home upgrade solution. Don't sell, just listen!
  5. Apply the insights you gain from this research to refine your existing idea or develop a completely new one. Focus on creating a solution that addresses the core challenges identified in the market.
  6. Given the concerns about safety and code compliance, consider focusing on standardization and certification. Could you partner with established certification bodies to offer pre-approved and certified sustainable home upgrade packages? This could build trust and alleviate concerns.
  7. Explore alternative business models that might be more viable in the current market. Instead of leasing, could you offer a subscription service for energy monitoring and optimization, or a pay-as-you-go model for specific upgrades?

Questions

  1. Given the prevalent concerns about fire safety and code violations, how can you proactively address these issues in your leasing model to ensure homeowner and landlord peace of mind?
  2. Considering the cost-effectiveness criticisms of similar products, what innovative financing or operational strategies can you employ to make sustainable home upgrades more affordable and attractive to a broader customer base?
  3. With the challenges of tenant/landlord dynamics in mind, how can you structure your leasing model to align the incentives of all stakeholders and overcome potential barriers to adoption?

  • Confidence: High
    • Number of similar products: 7
  • Engagement: High
    • Average number of comments: 35
  • Net use signal: -3.9%
    • Positive use signal: 3.9%
    • Negative use signal: 7.9%
  • Net buy signal: -2.7%
    • Positive buy signal: 2.7%
    • Negative buy signal: 5.5%

This chart summarizes all the similar products we found for your idea in a single plot.

The x-axis represents the overall feedback each product received. This is calculated from the net use and buy signals that were expressed in the comments. The maximum is +1, which means all comments (across all similar products) were positive, expressed a willingness to use & buy said product. The minimum is -1 and it means the exact opposite.

The y-axis captures the strength of the signal, i.e. how many people commented and how does this rank against other products in this category. The maximum is +1, which means these products were the most liked, upvoted and talked about launches recently. The minimum is 0, meaning zero engagement or feedback was received.

The sizes of the product dots are determined by the relevance to your idea, where 10 is the maximum.

Your idea is the big blueish dot, which should lie somewhere in the polygon defined by these products. It can be off-center because we use custom weighting to summarize these metrics.

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Users expressed concerns about fire code violations not being addressed by the original poster. Additionally, there were complaints about the frequency of reposts, with some users noting that the content seemed to be the same as what was posted recently.

Users have raised concerns about fire code violations being ignored. Additionally, there are complaints about the frequency of reposts, with some feeling that reposting every few days is too soon. The issue of repeated content has also been highlighted.

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The Show HN product or service received mixed feedback. Concerns were raised about the safety and legality of solar installations, particularly regarding landlord approval, fire hazards, and electrical code compliance. Users discussed the cost-effectiveness of solar versus traditional electricity, with some citing high initial costs, long payback times, and questionable resale value, while others found solar to be a better option due to frequent power outages and high generator costs. The importance of proper equipment, such as UL-listed items and correctly rated extension cords, was emphasized. There was also a discussion on the benefits of hybrid solar solutions, battery safety, and the potential for using second-hand solar panels. Some comments focused on the practicality of solar for backup power and EV charging, while others debated the merits of net metering and the impact of local utility policies. A few comments touched on broader societal issues such as rent-seeking and infrastructure problems.

The Show HN product or service has received criticisms regarding safety hazards such as unsecured solar panels, exposed wires, and battery pack risks. Users are concerned about the cost-effectiveness of solar installations, the reliability of solar power in different seasons, and the complexity of tenant billing. There are also concerns about insurance and liability issues, including coverage for tenant-caused fires and damage from lightning. The product's reliance on tradespeople, potential code violations, and the depreciation of assets like batteries and generators are also criticized. Users find the setup instructions lacking, and there are worries about fire risks, especially with improper cabling and connections. The product's design, execution, and maintenance have been questioned, along with the efficiency and cost of the power infrastructure.

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Made alternative app for solar panels

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Made alternative an app for solar panels provider. So I can see how energy consumption distributed through the day in one line of graph.

Users appreciate the app for visualizing solar panel energy consumption but suggest including a license file in the repository.

The product lacks a license file, which is essential for users to understand the terms and conditions of use.

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PVBenchmark – UserBenchmark for PV Systems

17 Nov 2024 Climate Tech

Hi HN,I’d like to share a side project I’ve been working on: https://pvbenchmark.de/.In Germany, small plug-and-play photovoltaic systems, often referred to as “balcony PV systems,” have become increasingly popular. These systems are designed for easy installation on balconies or rooftops, allowing homeowners and renters to feed a small amount of renewable energy back into the grid while reducing their electricity bills. However, one challenge for many users is assessing whether their system is performing well or if there’s room for optimization.Inspired by online communities where users share performance data, I built PVBenchmark, a platform to help small PV system owners benchmark their energy production.Here’s how it works:Upload: Share a screenshot from your inverter app and input basic system data (ZIP code, peak power, orientation, tilt). Analysis: The tool extracts the data, matches it with local weather and site conditions, and calculates the theoretical potential for your setup. Comparison: See how your daily, monthly, or yearly energy generation stacks up against similar systems from other users.Right now, the site is in German (sorry!), as it’s primarily targeting German users who own these small systems. If there’s interest, I’d be happy to work on making it more accessible to a broader audience.I’d love for the HN community to check it out and share any feedback. It’s an early version, and I’m eager to improve it.

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PVBenchmark – UserBenchmark for PV Systems

16 Nov 2024 Climate Tech

Hi HN,I’d like to share a side project I’ve been working on: https://pvbenchmark.de/.In Germany, small plug-and-play photovoltaic systems, often referred to as “balcony PV systems,” have become increasingly popular. These systems are designed for easy installation on balconies or rooftops, allowing homeowners and renters to feed a small amount of renewable energy back into the grid while reducing their electricity bills. However, one challenge for many users is assessing whether their system is performing well or if there’s room for optimization.Inspired by online communities where users share performance data, I built PVBenchmark, a platform to help small PV system owners benchmark their energy production.Here’s how it works:Upload: Share a screenshot from your inverter app and input basic system data (ZIP code, peak power, orientation, tilt). Analysis: The tool extracts the data, matches it with local weather and site conditions, and calculates the theoretical potential for your setup. Comparison: See how your daily, monthly, or yearly energy generation stacks up against similar systems from other users.Right now, the site is in German (sorry!), as it’s primarily targeting German users who own these small systems. If there’s interest, I’d be happy to work on making it more accessible to a broader audience.I’d love for the HN community to check it out and share any feedback. It’s an early version, and I’m eager to improve it.

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