What you will learn
DNV spoke with small, medium, and large trade allies across North America to find out the challenges and opportunities they are facing.
Utilities can use these unique insights to develop programs and initiatives that can immediately unlock greater savings, deliver more value generation and market growth, and motivate trade allies.
Introduction
DNV’s Trade Ally Survey – now in its sixth year – continues to bring utilities unique insights around the challenges, solutions, and opportunities facing trade allies.
Energy programs are essential to America’s energy transition, providing utility customers access to technologies and equipment that will lead to a clean energy future. Trade allies are at the heart of it. When they win, your company and energy program win.
DNV interviewed 275 trade allies participating in energy programs operated across North America. Their feedback indicates four priority challenges where support from utilities could make a big difference.
- Supply chain and operations
- Technology and growth
- Participation
- Diversity
Ignoring these challenges means that your energy program is leaving energy savings on the table.
We developed deep dive assessments for each challenge that will arm utilities with valuable insights to unleash the full value of your program and trade ally engagement.
Supply chain and operations
In a change from the previous two years, trade allies see a bright future. However, they remain cautious on supply chain, hiring, and operational challenges.
Utilities should be aware that trade allies still report supply chain barriers that could impact the timing of implementing new or popular technologies.
Download the report 'Supply chain, hiring, and operational challenges for trade allies'
Technology and growth
Trade allies are pursuing opportunities related to electric vehicles, but they report facing challenges when it comes to finding and converting leads for EV related work.
Across the board, trade allies are embracing new technologies and pursuing a diverse set of opportunities.
Download the report 'Navigating the shifting landscape with trade allies'
Participation
Utility energy programs will continue to be popular across the board if utilities invest in enabling trade allies to capture demand.
A large increase in demand is expected from the Homes Energy Rebate programs driven by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Download the report 'Utility program participation challenges across business sizes'
Diversity
Examining diversity within the trade ally ecosystem reveals progress in some segments, and persistent gaps across the broader industry. A diverse labor force has historically bolstered program adoption in underserved communities.
Download the report 'Diversity progress and gaps within trade ally organizations'