5 things to consider when choosing your payment provider: Insights from a Solar Pro
Hi, I’m Sophie, General Manager of OpenSolar Australia. For those that don’t know me, I used to run my own solar business for six years before joining OpenSolar.
Running a solar business means spinning a lot of plates: managing cash flow, chasing payments, sorting out the admin, and still finding time to deliver brilliant service to your customers. One of the most valuable lessons I learnt as a Pro is this: getting paid quickly and easily is everything. Yet payment management often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.
So, let me save you some hassle and share five things I’ve learnt along the way to help you optimise your payment process. The goal? Spend less time chasing invoices and more time building a thriving business.
1. Shop Around for Fair Processing Fees
Margins in solar can be tight. The last thing you want is for hefty credit card fees to nibble away at your hard-earned profits. Some payment providers charge as much as 2-3% per transaction—that really adds up.
Look for providers that offer smart surcharging so you can pass those fees onto customers in a compliant way. It’s a small change that could save you thousands every year. (And yes, OpenSolar’s CashFlow does this brilliantly.)
2. Make Payments Easy for Your Customers
We work on big-ticket projects, and big payments can sometimes make people hesitate. The easier you make it for your customers to pay, the quicker you’ll see the money in your account.
Offer flexible options like bank transfers, credit cards, or digital wallets (think Apple Pay or Google Pay). And if you can let customers pay straight from your proposals, you’ll make the process seamless and professional—less admin for you, less hassle for them. Win-win.
3. Automate the Admin
Let’s be real: chasing payments is exhausting. Manually sending invoices and reminders eats up hours of your day—hours you could be spending growing your business.
That’s why automation is a no-brainer. Tools that automate invoicing, payment reminders, and reconciliation will make your life so much easier. You’ll spend less time following up and more time focusing on the big picture.
4. Create a Professional Payment Experience
Your payment process says a lot about your business. A dodgy-looking invoice or a clunky checkout experience isn’t going to fill your customers with confidence—especially when they’re spending thousands on a project.
Take the time to brand your invoices and make sure everything is compliant. It’s a small touch that builds trust and sets you apart from the competition.
5. Keep Your Workflow Seamless
Payments shouldn’t mean hopping between a dozen different platforms. It’s 2025—your tools should talk to each other.
Look for payment solutions that integrate directly with your proposals, accounting software, or project management tools. When everything is connected, you’ll save time, reduce errors, and get a better handle on your cash flow with real-time updates. (Spoiler: OpenSolar’s CashFlow does this beautifully—and Xero integration is coming soon!)
Why This Matters
The solar industry is growing rapidly, and with that comes more complexity. Larger projects, tighter timelines, and fierce competition mean we’ve got to work smarter, not harder.
When I ran my own solar business, I quickly realised that the right systems make a world of difference. Today, with tools like OpenSolar’s CashFlow, it’s easier than ever to simplify your payment process.
If I can leave you with one piece of advice, it’s this: invest in a payment solution that prioritises flexibility, automation, and integration. These aren’t just “nice-to-haves” anymore—they’re essential.
Here’s to getting paid faster and running your business smarter!
Sophie
General Manager – Australia, OpenSolar
