Why Generic CRMs Don't Work for Solar

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I customize HubSpot or Salesforce for solar installations?

Yes, but it's expensive and time-consuming. You'd need custom objects, workflows, and potentially third-party apps for each compliance requirement. Most installers find the cost of customization exceeds the value, and you'll still lack direct design tool connections and permit tracking.

Why not use a CRM for sales and separate tools for operations?

You can, but you'll face data silos, manual re-entry, and reconciliation issues. When sales data doesn't flow into operations, you lose visibility and efficiency. Purpose-built software keeps everything connected - from lead to installation to handover.

What about Monday.com for project management?

Monday.com is good for general project tracking, but it doesn't have quoting, invoicing, customer portals, or permit tracking. You'd still need a CRM, accounting integration, and compliance tools separately. See our detailed Monday.com comparison.

Is Pipedrive enough for a small solar company?

Pipedrive handles sales pipelines well, but stops there. Once you win a job, you need separate tools for scheduling, field teams, invoicing, and permits. As you grow, managing multiple disconnected tools becomes unsustainable.

How does Payaca compare to building a custom Salesforce solution?

Payaca is ready to use with solar features built in, at a fraction of the cost. A custom Salesforce implementation for a solar business typically costs tens of thousands in development and ongoing maintenance. Payaca gives you those features out of the box with support from people who understand the industry.

What if we already use HubSpot for marketing?

You can keep HubSpot for marketing while using Payaca for operations. Payaca starts at lead capture and handles everything from there - proposals, jobs, permits, invoicing. Payaca has an OpenAPI for integrations between tools.