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Solar sales specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a solar sales specialist. Solar sales specialists usually study business, communication, or criminal justice. 66% of solar sales specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 192 real solar sales specialist resumes to see exactly what solar sales specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for solar sales specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online solar sales specialist courses to help get the education required to be a solar sales specialist.

What education do you need to become a solar sales specialist?

What degree do you need to be a solar sales specialist?

The most common degree for solar sales specialists is bachelor's degree, with 66% of solar sales specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 66%
  • Associate, 16%
  • High School Diploma, 9%
  • Master's, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a solar sales specialist?

You should major in business to become a solar sales specialist. 38% of solar sales specialists major in business. Other common majors for a solar sales specialist include communication and criminal justice.

Most common colleges for solar sales specialists

Solar sales specialists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and California State University - San Bernardino. Here are the most common colleges for solar sales specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Solar sales specialist common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix9.09%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey6.82%
California State University - San Bernardino6.82%
Rowan University6.82%
Michigan State University6.82%

Best majors for solar sales specialists

Best colleges for solar sales specialists

The best colleges for solar sales specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A solar sales specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for solar sales specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become solar sales specialists.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for solar sales specialists

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1. Photovoltaic solar energy

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The course is an introduction to the photovoltaic (PV) applications in the general mix energetic context dominated by climate warming mitigation. The various uses of solar energy are firstly presented before a short description of the principle of the direct solar photon conversion into electricity (PV). The various PV technologies are reviewed in the current context dominated by crystalline silicon cells. The perspectives of the various technologies are then analysed in terms of R&D...

2. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors

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This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems,...

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4. Solar Energy beginner to advanced.SolarPV System Design 2023

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2023 Learn solar energy, from the components to the design of a Solar PV System. Focused on both technical & commercial...

5. Solar Energy Codes, Permitting and Zoning

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This course equips learners to identify national code and zoning rules specific to photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as key design elements and points for inspection. Curriculum includes zoning variances, critical elements of the permitting process, planning documents necessary for PV system installation and recommendations for permitting offices to streamline the permit process. Learners gain a code inspector’s perspective in relation to building and electrical code requirements. This course...

6. Physics of silicon solar cells

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The first MOOC “Photovoltaic solar energy” is a general presentation of the solar photovoltaics technologies in the global energetic context, without extensive details. In particular the description of the solar cell operation is restricted to the ideal case In contrast this second MOOC allows a deep understanding of the properties of solar cells based on crystalline semiconductors. It consists in a general presentation of the physics of the photovoltaics devices with a particular emphasize on...

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9. The Science of the Solar System

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Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be...

10. Hydro, Wind & Solar power: Resources, Variability & Forecast

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The development of hydro, wind and solar power is growing strongly with as one objective to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All these renewable energies are intermittent with more or less strong variability. This course provides the basis for estimating the resource of these different modes of production and understanding the physical causes of intermittency and seasonal variability. The different modes of electricity production are detailed as well as the sensitivity induced by...

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14. Complete Solar Energy Design Course From Zero To Hero

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20. Sales Skills: 9 Sales Training Courses In 1

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Top 10 most affordable universities for solar sales specialists

The most affordable schools for solar sales specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for solar sales specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for solar sales specialists.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for solar sales specialists

The hardest universities for solar sales specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for solar sales specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for solar sales specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for solar sales specialists

The easiest schools for solar sales specialists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a solar sales specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for solar sales specialists.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average solar sales specialist salary by education level

According to our data, solar sales specialists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $62,783 annually. Solar sales specialists with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $60,232.
Solar sales specialist education levelSolar sales specialist salary
Master's Degree$62,783
High School Diploma or Less$42,311
Bachelor's Degree$56,155
Doctorate Degree$60,232
Some College/ Associate Degree$43,981

Solar sales specialist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.