Potential Career of a Solar Sales Representative and Assessor

Potential Career of a Solar Sales Representative and Assessor

Potential Career of a Solar Sales Representative and Assessor

Alternate Titles and Related Careers

  • Account Manager

  • Assistant Sales Manager

  • Director, Regional Sales

  • Independent Sales Representative, Solar

  • Outside Solar Energy Sales Representative.

  • Outside Sölar Sales Representative

  • Outside Sales Representative, Residential

  • PV Sales Representative, Commercial

  • Senior Account Executive

  • Solar Account Executive

  • Solar PV Sales Representative

This is a “Bright Outlook” and “Green New and Emerging” occupation in the renewable energy generation sector of the economy. The term “outside,” also called “field sales,” means that the sales job requires traveling to customers’ sites rather than phone sales, which is also known as “inside” sales.

Job Trends

Using information for “Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products” as the basis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an average growth of 7 to 13 percent for this category. This translates into 42,000 estimated job openings between 2008 and 2018 for all technical and scientific salespeople. However, as a “Bright Outlook” occupation in the renewable energy generation sector, it may see faster growth and a greater expansion of job opportunities. Job prospects will be best for those with a college degree, the appropriate technical experience, and an outgoing personality with good communication skills.

Nature of the Work

Sales representatives may work for large manufacturers or wholesalers, or in the case of solar sales representatives/assessors, they may work for small companies that install the end product—solar panels or solar thermal systems. In the distribution chain, the small company that does the installation is probably visited by a sales representative from a manufacturer of solar panels who wants the installer to buy panels only from his/her employer. Some sales representatives who have been successful working for manufacturers or wholesalers may start their own independent agencies and represent several different manufacturers or wholesalers. Regardless of for whom the sales representative works, the goal is the same: to convince the customer to buy from the sales representative. Solar sales representatives and assessors contact new or existing customers to determine their solar equipment needs. They analyze, or assess, the site and suggest systems or equipment and estimate the costs for purchase and installation. It is important that they stay current with the latest products and trends in the industry as well as the changing needs of the marketplace.

According to O*NET, a solar sales representative and assessor may perform the following tasks:

  • Develop marketing or strategic plans for sales territories