What Do Top Solar Salesmen Make?

The solar industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar has seen an average annual growth rate of 24% over the past decade. https://www.seia.org/solar-industry-research-data

This rising demand for solar panels and systems has created many new jobs, especially in sales. As more homes and businesses switch to solar power, there is increasing need for sales representatives who can assess customer needs, present solar options, and close deals.

With declining costs and favorable policies like the federal solar Investment Tax Credit, the outlook for the solar sales field is bright. This section will explore what top solar salespeople can earn as demand continues growing.

Salaries for Solar Sales Representatives

The average annual pay for a solar sales representative in the United States is $132,389 according to ZipRecruiter. However, there can be significant variation in pay depending on factors like location and experience. In Texas specifically, the average salary for solar sales reps ranges from $50,000 to $112,000 per year according to ZipRecruiter data.

In addition to base salary, most solar sales reps have the opportunity to earn commissions and bonuses based on sales performance. Commissions often account for a significant portion of total compensation. Many companies offer tiered commission structures where reps earn a higher percentage commission as they exceed annual sales quotas. Bonuses based on exceeding targets and other performance metrics are also common. The combination of salary, commissions and bonuses enables top performing solar sales reps to earn total compensation of $150,000 or more per year.

Top Earners

The highest paid solar sales representatives can earn over $200,000 per year. According to ZipRecruiter, the top 10% of solar sales reps make $187,500 or more annually in California [1]. The most successful salespeople thrive on commission-based pay structures and can maximize their earnings through high sales volumes.

“Last year I made over $250k solely on commission from selling solar,” said Frank Thompson, a top solar sales rep in Arizona. “The more deals you close, the more you make in this business. My best month ever I brought in over $35k from commission alone.”

The key to hitting these high income levels is being a talented closer and working leads aggressively. Top solar sales reps have honed their ability to identify promising sales opportunities and push them through to contract signing. They work evenings and weekends without complaint, doing whatever it takes to get the sale.

Sales Skills Needed

To be a successful solar sales representative, there are several key sales skills that are critical. Some of the most important sales skills for solar sales include:

Communication and Persuasion – Solar sales requires being able to communicate the benefits of solar energy systems effectively to potential customers. Strong persuasion skills help convert leads into sales.

Technical Knowledge – Having an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects of solar PV systems is important in order to educate potential customers and address any concerns. Knowledge of solar panel options, inverters, financing, incentives and more is key.

Closing Deals – Being able to ask for the sale and close deals is critical for success as a solar sales rep. Persistence and perseverance are necessary to turn prospects into customers.

Getting Started

To become a solar sales representative, the typical entry-level education requirement is having an associate degree in a field like sales, marketing, or communications. Though a degree is not always required, it will help provide you with the background knowledge and skills to be an effective salesperson. Some employers may be willing to hire candidates with a high school diploma and proven sales abilities.

You can find open solar sales representative positions by searching on job sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Many solar companies will have job listings posted directly on their websites as well. Look for opportunities at both large national solar companies as well as local/regional installers in your desired geographic area. In addition to job boards, you can use your network and check with solar industry associations to find openings. Having sales experience in a related industry like sustainability, construction, or energy can also help qualify you for positions.

Working Conditions

Solar sales representatives often work full-time schedules, typically 40 hours per week. However, they may need to work evenings and weekends to meet with potential clients (source: IRECSolarCareerMap.org). The job requires frequent travel to visit homes and businesses to provide assessments and proposals. Solar sales reps spend much of their time on the road driving between appointments.

Some of the pros of being a solar sales rep are the freedom to be out of an office, meeting new people daily, and helping clients transition to renewable energy. However, the frequent driving and irregular hours can be cons for some. The income potential is excellent but requires self-motivation and hustle to succeed. Overall, solar sales offers a dynamic role for those who enjoy traveling, sales, and renewable energy.

Future Outlook

The future outlook for solar sales representatives is quite positive. According to Recruiter.com, the solar industry is projected to grow 5-8% annually over the next 5 years. This growth is being driven by several factors:

– Declining costs of solar panel equipment resulting in more affordable systems for homeowners and businesses.

– Government incentives and policies that encourage solar adoption such as tax credits, net metering, renewable portfolio standards and carbon reduction goals.

– Increased consumer awareness and demand for clean, renewable energy.

– Projected job growth in the solar industry as a whole, with over 230,000 new solar jobs expected by 2026 according to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census.

As long as these market conditions and policy incentives remain in place, solar sales reps can expect strong job prospects into the future. Those with sales skills and solar industry expertise should find abundant opportunities to sell this quickly growing technology.

Related Positions

Solar sales representatives may eventually transition into related positions as they gain more experience, such as:

Sales Managers

After several years of successful sales, some solar sales reps move into sales management roles. As sales managers, they oversee teams of sales reps and are responsible for setting sales goals, training reps, and analyzing sales data.

Technical Sales

With an engineering background or solar certification, sales reps may transition into technical sales roles where they sell more complex solar systems to commercial clients. Technical knowledge is required for this position.

Moving Up

Ambitious solar sales reps can move into executive sales roles, regional sales leadership, or even founding their own solar sales company after gaining substantial experience in the field. Continuing education and training helps facilitate advancement.

Key Takeaways

Solar sales is a challenging but potentially lucrative career path. Top earners can make six figures, especially those working for major manufacturers or in states with high solar adoption like California. However, the median salary is closer to $50,000. Earnings depend heavily on sales commissions and ability to sell complex systems. The field requires persuasion skills, solar technology expertise, and a hunter mentality to find leads and close deals. While the work can be stressful and highly competitive, solar sales offers the opportunity to earn a good living while facilitating renewable energy adoption. It’s ideal for natural salespeople who are passionate about sustainability.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned that top solar salesmen can make over $200,000 per year. The best salesmen have strong communication skills, work well under pressure, and stay motivated to close deals. Getting started in solar sales requires passion for the industry, persistence, and willingness to work long hours. While the work can be demanding, solar sales offers the potential for high earnings, freedom, and purpose in an expanding renewable energy field.

To recap, solar salesmen with hustle, charisma and resilience have the opportunity to earn upwards of $250,000. However, it takes dedicated training, prospecting, and negotiating to reach the highest commissions. For those with the drive to succeed in sales, solar provides a promising career where top performers are well compensated. With the growth projected in the solar industry, now is an opportune time to break into this field.