Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors

Contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs, suggest systems or equipment, or estimate costs.

From people doing the work

As a solar sales rep, every day is a mix of prospecting new clients, designing custom solar solutions, and closing deals. the work has clear value to help people save money and go green, but it also involves a lot of persistence and handling objections. You're constantly learning about new tech and financing options, and a good chunk of your time is spent out in the field meeting homeowners or businesses.

Drawn from SEIA publications, NABCEP forums, Reddit r/Solar discussions

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from SEIA publications, NABCEP forums, Reddit r/Solar discussions

A day in the life of Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors

People interaction: Extensive
Team vs solo: 90% Team / 10% Solo
Client facing: Frequent
Impact visibility: Moderate
Travel: Moderate
Schedule flexibility: Flexible
Remote work: Hybrid
Typical work hours: 40-50
Stress level: High

Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary: $66,780
Entry-level: $47,000
Senior: $100,000
Growth by 2033: +0.3%
Demand: Stable
Freelance potential: Moderate
Salary growth potential: 113%
Typical student debt: Moderate

Skills you need as Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors

Hard skills

Sales and Marketing
Complex Problem Solving
Computer aided design CAD software

Soft skills

Persuasion
Service Orientation
Speaking

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

Salesforce CRM (Software): To manage customer relationships, track leads, and monitor sales pipelines for solar projects.
Aurora Solar (Software): For designing solar systems, calculating energy production, and generating proposals for clients.
Microsoft Office Suite (Software): To create presentations, manage schedules, and communicate with clients and team members.

Commonly used

Google Earth (Software): To assess roof layouts and potential shading issues for solar panel installations.
DocuSign (Software): For secure electronic signing of contracts and agreements with customers.
Zoom (Software): To conduct virtual meetings and presentations with prospective clients.

How to become Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors

Minimum education: Associate's Degree
Licensing: No
Years to mid-career: 3-5
Years to senior: 8-15
Career switching: Easy

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

General Sales Representative: Individuals with a background in general sales can transition into solar sales by learning industry-specific knowledge.
Customer Service Representative: Those with strong customer service skills can pivot to solar sales, leveraging their ability to build rapport and address client needs.
Construction Worker: Workers with construction experience, especially in roofing, have a foundational understanding of installation logistics relevant to solar sales.

Where you can go from here

Solar Project Manager: Experienced solar sales professionals can advance to managing solar installation projects, overseeing timelines and teams.
Energy Consultant: Solar sales representatives can transition into broader energy consulting, advising clients on various energy efficiency solutions.
Sales Manager: Successful solar sales reps can move into sales management, leading and training sales teams.

Typical progression

Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors
Sales Engineers
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
or Solar Energy Installation Managers

Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors job outlook and future demand

Automation probability: Low-Moderate
AI disruption risk: High
Demand trend: Stable

Job satisfaction as Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors

Overall satisfaction: 6/10
Meaning: 5.5/10
Work-life balance: 5.5/10
Prestige: 5/10
Social perception: Moderate

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): A national trade association representing the solar energy industry in the United States.
NABCEP: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners offers certifications for solar professionals.

Podcasts and media

Solar Power World: A leading online and print resource for news and information regarding the solar industry.

Reddit communities

r/Solar: An online community for discussions about solar energy, installations, and related topics.