Solar sales representative vs direct sales representative

The differences between solar sales representatives and direct sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a solar sales representative and a direct sales representative. Additionally, a solar sales representative has an average salary of $95,427, which is higher than the $43,527 average annual salary of a direct sales representative.

The top three skills for a solar sales representative include sales presentations, lead generation and solar power. The most important skills for a direct sales representative are customer service, direct sales, and TV.

Solar sales representative vs direct sales representative overview

	Solar Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$95,427	$43,527
Hourly rate	$45.88	$20.93
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	140,298	159,668
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does a solar sales representative do?

Solar sales representatives are sales professionals who are responsible for providing information about solar-powered equipment and its benefits to their customers. These representatives must meet with customers in-store and out at site locations to demonstrate their company's solar products in a working environment. They are required to gather information to identify the solar needs of their customers and select the solar energy products and systems that best suit their needs. Solar sales representatives must also review designs for the solar installation of their customers.

What does a direct sales representative do?

As a direct sales representative, you are responsible for creating customer awareness of a company's products and services and closing sales. You will perform varied tasks that include assisting in developing and executing marketing and sales plans, conducting research on competing products, and identifying opportunities to improve sales. Additionally, you are expected to answer inquiries about product features, availability, benefits, and pricing. Other tasks that you are likely to perform include attending trade shows, preparing sales proposals for prospective buyers, and preparing sales reports.

Solar sales representative vs direct sales representative salary

Solar sales representatives and direct sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Solar Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average salary	$95,427	$43,527
Salary range	Between $69,000 And $130,000	Between $27,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Worcester, MA	Salem, OR
Highest paying state	Washington	Maine
Best paying company	Randstad North America, Inc.	Google
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between solar sales representative and direct sales representative education

There are a few differences between a solar sales representative and a direct sales representative in terms of educational background:

	Solar Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Solar sales representative vs direct sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between solar sales representatives' and direct sales representatives' demographics:

	Solar Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%	Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between solar sales representative and direct sales representative duties and responsibilities

Solar sales representative example responsibilities.

Develop social media strategies for Facebook, LinkedIn, and emerging social networks, generating leads.
Prepare calculations to qualify existing or new buildings for roof-top PV systems.
Educate potential prospects and customers on how a residential PV systems works and the benefits of solar energy.
Conduct in-home sales consultation for rooftop photovoltaic systems.
Perform inside sales, including telemarketing, prospecting, account penetration and product application, consulting and delivery of customer service.
Prospect and generate sales revenue by adding new program residential customers and cross selling and upselling current residential customers.

Direct sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage accounts and create invoices via QuickBooks.
Achieve and maintain high-volume sales output, for cell phones and broadband products to stay employ with company.
Contact medicare eligible recipients to sell medicare advantage plans through in-home meetings, community seminars and direct telesales.
Canvass assigned sales territory and solicit orders for new or upgrade cable, broadband and digital phone services.
Generate revenue by selling and upselling services while developing client base throughout territory.
Prospect and generate sales revenue by adding new program residential customers and cross selling and upselling current residential customers.

Solar sales representative vs direct sales representative skills

Common solar sales representative skills

Sales Presentations, 58%
Lead Generation, 21%
Solar Power, 17%
Sales Process, 1%
Solar Systems, 1%
PV, 1%

Common direct sales representative skills

Customer Service, 33%
Direct Sales, 20%
TV, 15%
Work Ethic, 4%
Technical Troubleshooting, 3%
Door-To-Door Sales, 3%

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Solar Sales Representative
Solar Sales Representative vs Direct Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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