Organizations
benefited from participating in a solar heating buyer group. As
a buyer or representative of a group of buyers they profited from
the experiences of all who participated in IEA Task 24 and learned
from the experience of past buyers groups (see Projects).
Buyer groups obtained lower cost solar heating systems; up to a
20% reduction has been achieved. They improved their green image
by contributing to CO2 reductions and by reducing
conventional energy consumption.
There
were basically two types of buyers. Complementary-product
based buyers who market solar water heating systems as part of a
larger product offering (e.g. standard water heater, new home) to
their existing customers. Sole-product
based buyers market only solar water heating systems in a campaign
and often target the general public.
There
are a wide variety of buyer types, including: