Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Solar Sales Reps
Solar Sales Reps contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs, suggest systems or equipment, or estimate costs.
Table of contents
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
Is this job meaningful
63% said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they found their job meaningful.
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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