What Does A Solar Sales Representative and Assessor Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Solar Sales Reps

Solar Sales Reps contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs, suggest systems or equipment, or estimate costs.

Salary
$99680
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Associate's degree
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Solar Sales Reps contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs, suggest systems or equipment, or estimate costs.

  • Prepare proposals, quotes, contracts, or presentations for potential solar customers.
  • Select solar energy products, systems, or services for customers based on electrical energy requirements, site conditions, price, or other factors.
  • Provide customers with information, such as quotes, orders, sales, shipping, warranties, credit, funding options, incentives, or tax rebates.
  • Gather information from prospective customers to identify their solar energy needs.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Solar Sales Reps create customized energy management packages to satisfy customer needs. They gather information from prospective customers to identify their solar energy needs.

A typical day for a Solar Sales Representative and Assessor will also include:

  • Provide technical information about solar power, solar systems, equipment, and services to potential customers or dealers.
  • Prepare or review detailed design drawings, specifications, or lists related to solar installations.
  • Calculate potential solar resources or solar array production for a particular site considering issues such as climate, shading, and roof orientation.
  • Take quote requests or orders from dealers or customers.
  • Prepare proposals, quotes, contracts, or presentations for potential solar customers.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Solar Sales Reps also develop marketing or strategic plans for sales territories. They may also provide customers with information, such as quotes, orders, sales, shipping, warranties, credit, funding options, incentives, or tax rebates.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Solar Sales Reps take quote requests or orders from dealers or customers. They might also prepare proposals, quotes, contracts, or presentations for potential solar customers.

In addition, they generate solar energy customer leads to develop new accounts.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them prepare or review detailed design drawings, specifications, or lists related to solar installations.

To some Solar Sales Reps, it is also their responsibility to calculate potential solar resources or solar array production for a particular site considering issues such as climate, shading, and roof orientation.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

63% said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they found their job meaningful.


Matt Samet
Solar Energy Partners

I go out in the field into communities, prospecting for potential solar clients, looking at opportunities to save homeowners money based on their current electrical bill. My normal work day starts about 10 a.m. and I work until 6 p.m. with a few small breaks throughout the day. A majority of my business is derived from referrals in the California market–80% of my appointments are in home and 20% are via Zoom.

Pros

The biggest pro is the high-earned commissions. For example, I’m on track to make over $200,000 during my year in the solar industry. I also have a very flexible schedule–I essentially make my own hours. Solar is also a relatively easy sales opportunity. You don’t have to twist people’s arms, the concept and the numbers speak for themselves. We can almost always save homeowners 30% to 50% off their current electrical bill.

Cons

The biggest, and maybe the only con, is working in 100-degree temperatures in the summer months while visiting homeowners.

Advice to aspiring solar sales reps

An important component of my job is learning and understanding how to sell my product, rooftop solar. Self-help, motivational books on how to sell have had a strong influence on my career. Some good ones I’ve read are Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich and Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. Regarding specific college coursework, math and marketing classes would be particularly useful for a career in sales.

Some things you won’t learn in the classroom but are extremely necessary in my field: a good positive mindset good hygiene and having a go-getter attitude. Lastly, I would encourage college students to start building relationships with their professors, finding mentors that you can trust will help throughout your college and professional careers.


Pros

Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.

Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$99680 per year

Average hourly wage

$48 per hour

Entry-level Solar Sales Reps with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $42,820 to $59,590 per year or $21 to $29 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $171,700 $83
Senior (Top 25%) $127,800 $61
Median $86,650 $42
Junior (Bottom 25%) $59,590 $29
No experience (Bottom 10%) $42,820 $21

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
1%

40 hours
11%

More than 40 hours
88%

Working schedule

64%

35%

1%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
1%

Every day
99%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
28%

Every day
72%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
0%

Once a year
21%

Once a month
56%

Once a week
10%

Every day
12%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
0%

Slightly competitive
0%

Moderately competitive
23%

Highly competitive
36%

Extremely competitive
41%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
20%

Once a year or more
2%

Once a month or more
3%

Once a week or more
46%

Every day
29%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
46%

Once a year or more
2%

Once a month or more
19%

Once a week or more
32%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
16%

Once a year or more
4%

Once a month or more
25%

Once a week or more
43%

Every day
12%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
40%

Once a year or more
25%

Once a month or more
28%

Once a week or more
7%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
6%

Post-Secondary Certificate
5%

Some College Courses
38%

Associate’s Degree or similar
9%

Bachelor’s Degree
35%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
7%

Master’s Degree
1%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

No majors found

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
5%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
6%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
28%

1 to 2 years
17%

2 to 4 years
33%

4 to 6 years
8%

6 to 8 years
3%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
3%

1 month
4%

1 to 3 months
33%

3 to 6 months
36%

6 months to 1 year
17%

1 to 2 years
7%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Builder
43%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
29%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
24%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
38%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
95%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
52%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
76%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
64%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
52%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
62%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
57%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
71%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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