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Solar sales representative vs sales development representative

The differences between solar sales representatives and sales development 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 sales development representative. Additionally, a solar sales representative has an average salary of $95,427, which is higher than the $51,504 average annual salary of a sales development representative.

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

Solar sales representative vs sales development representative overview

Solar Sales RepresentativeSales Development Representative
Yearly salary$95,427$51,504
Hourly rate$45.88$24.76
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs140,298199,588
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

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 sales development representative do?

A sales development representative qualifies leads at the sales funnel's initial stages. Sales development representatives need to conduct research for prospective clients and qualify the leads before handing them to the sales team. They develop sales strategies to attract buyers or solicit potential customers. They need to build relationships with their customers to determine their needs and qualify the viability of interests to drive sales. Also, they collaborate with the sales executives making certain that corporate targets and goals are met.

Solar sales representative vs sales development representative salary

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

Solar Sales RepresentativeSales Development Representative
Average salary$95,427$51,504
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $130,000Between $34,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityWorcester, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyRandstad North America, Inc.PitchBook Data
Best paying industryEnergyStart-up

Differences between solar sales representative and sales development representative education

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

Solar Sales RepresentativeSales Development Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Solar sales representative vs sales development representative demographics

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

Solar Sales RepresentativeSales Development Representative
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 75.8% Female, 24.2%Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between solar sales representative and sales development 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.

Sales development representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage organization website and Facebook page; writing articles for websites and newsletters.
  • Develop social media strategies for Facebook, LinkedIn, and emerging social networks, generating leads.
  • Manage individual sales activities by developing highly effective, communications focuse relationship with multiple sales channels.
  • supply chain management and procurement software (SaaS).
  • Handle customer service inquiries, returns, and RMA exchanges.
  • Develop a strong knowledge of SaaS sales techniques and lead management/generation.
  • Show more

Solar sales representative vs sales development 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 sales development representative skills
  • SDR, 11%
  • Lead Generation, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Account Executives, 5%
  • Linkedin, 5%
  • Outbound Calls, 4%