Queensland’s Keen 2B Green is one of the leading solar specialists on the Gold Coast. And if it’s true that small businesses live and die by their reputation, Keen 2B Green has an even brighter future ahead of it, as the company enjoys a positively glowing reputation for the quality of its work, with a list of testimonials a mile long.
Since 2013, the company has also operated its own solar testing facility at its head office in Burleigh Heads, which allows it to offer authoritative, firsthand advice on panel performance in local conditions. We caught up with Managing Director Daniel Shelfer to find out more about the company and how it built such an enviable reputation.
Tell us the story behind Keen 2B Green. My wife, Belinda and I formed Keen 2B Green Pty Ltd in late 2009. At the time, we were both working for another solar company and feeling that things could be done better in relation to work quality and customer service, so we decided to start out on our own.
After a few successful years working on Keen 2B Green, Belinda stepped down and turned her attention to motherhood. I then had the job of searching for staff who shared the same passion for customer service, ethics and attention to detail, which proved a long and tedious task. Ultimately we were rewarded with excellent staff.
How big is the team at Keen 2B Green? There are currently 16 full-time staff including electricians, consultants, customer service and administration staff, including a marketing manager.
How much solar power capacity have you installed this year? More than 2,600 kW to date this year.
What are some of the standout projects you have delivered? We’ve completed a number of medium-to-large commercial projects over the last few years. Recently, however, some of the more exciting projects we’ve worked on include the full electrical design and installation of an energy efficient smart home and a luxury houseboat for the Brisbane River with solar and battery storage.
Tell us about your solar panel testing facility. Does it give you an edge in the market? We started the test site back in 2013. From the solar panels’ flash data, we’ve been testing the yield and recording data of a number of panels using a Solar Edge inverter with optimisers, and we keep adding panels all the time. At the moment we use the data internally to make sure the products we recommend are performing, and also to rate our competitors’ claims and monitor degradation. We’re hoping to develop the test site into an online public resource in the not too distant future.
What’s the hardest thing about being a solar installer in South East Queensland? Competing against fly-by-night companies selling poor quality components for cheap, unsustainable prices. It’s a constant battle to educate the public as to why it’s better to install quality instead of going this route. Our service work has increased tenfold from solar companies that have shut up shop.
Any words of wisdom or advice for newcomers to the game? A great part of our success is due to our customer referrals. We’ve worked hard to achieve pages of excellent reviews. Your reputation is everything.
