Hmmm, it really depends on the company. Many newer energy companies have recognized that software is a profit center. Something like half of solar leads are re

Hmmm, it really depends on the company. Many newer energy companies have recognized that software is a profit center. Something like half of solar leads are referrals from existing solar customers, so there's a ton of effort put into good customer experience (pre and post installation) to drive more referrals. Also, many firms are wanting to offer grid services (demand response, load smoothing, etc.) back to the grid, which also is potential profit driven by software. I think you'd be surprised at how much importance is placed at the larger firms on software. Also, for smaller shops that can't afford their own programmers, there's vendors who sell the software to do all the analysis, financing, engineering, etc. Those cleantech software vendors obviously see software as the profit center (my startup is one such example). And solar is like HVAC in that there's thousands and thousands of smaller local shops in addition to the half-dozen nation brands, so lots of customers for SaaS providers.