Renewable energy sales representative

Renewable energy sales representatives assess clients’ energy supply needs, and attempt to secure sales of renewable energy methods. They promote renewable energy suppliers and the use of renewable energy products, and liaise with consumers to increase sales.

The following job titles also refer to renewable energy sales representative:

renewable energy sales consultant
residential alternative energy sales representative
renewable energy sales promoter
residential renewable energy sales representative
alternative energy sales consultant
alternative energy salesman
alternative energy sales negotiator
renewable energy sales negotiator
renewable energy seller
renewable energy salesperson
alternative energy saleswoman
alternative energy sales rep
renewable energy saleswoman
renewable energy sales rep
alternative energy salesperson
alternative energy seller
renewable energy salesman
alternative energy sales promoter

Renewable energy sales representatives work mostly indoors in offices. They spend part of the workday using computers to research and gather information, read and create reports and presentations, and e-mail with other sales representatives, supervisors, customers, and dealers. They spend some time outdoors assessing sites for potential renewable energy equipment and systems. They usually work full time, 40 hours per week. Some travel is required for client meetings, site assessments, and to attend industry conferences and events. 

Most employers prefer to hire renewable energy sales representatives who have a bachelor’s degree. Majors for this job vary. Coursework that is helpful covers biology, chemistry, engineering, computers, business, mathematics, marketing, economics, communications, and English. Foreign language classes can also be helpful for improving sales.

Renewable energy sales representatives usually have several years of sales experience. They receive on-the-job training which may last several weeks or up to several months. They must be knowledgeable about solar energy, solar equipment and systems, and engineering science and technology as it relates to solar products and goods. They must be well versed in sales and marketing methods and principles.

The ability to work independently and to collaborate with other solar energy professionals is important in this field. Strong, clear oral and written communication skills are essential. Renewable energy sales representatives must have good interpersonal skills in order to develop and maintain relationships with customers and make sales. People who do best in this job have initiative and are persistent.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Renewable energy sales representative is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to renewable energy sales representative.

domestic energy assessor
electricity sales representative
energy consultant
energy assessor
energy conservation officer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of renewable energy sales representative. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of renewable energy sales representative with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

renewable energy consultant
solar energy sales consultant
network marketer
movie distributor
renewable energy engineer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of renewable energy sales representative.

• Solar energy: The energy which originates from light and heat from the sun, and which can be harnessed and used as a renewable source of energy using different technologies, such as photovoltaics (PV) for electricity production and solar thermal energy (STE) for thermal energy generation.
• Sales argumentation: Techniques and sales methods used in order to present a product or service to customers in a persuasive manner and to meet their expectations and needs.
• Characteristics of products: The tangible characteristics of a product such as its materials, properties and functions, as well as its different applications, features, use and support requirements.
• Sales strategies: The principles concerning customer behaviour and target markets with the aim of promotion and sales of a product or a service.
• Renewable energy technologies: The different types of energy sources which cannot be depleted, such as wind, solar, water, biomass, and biofuel energy. The different technologies used to implement these types of energy to an increasing degree, such as wind turbines, hydroelectric dams, photovoltaics, and concentrated solar power.
• Characteristics of services: The characteristics of a service that might include having acquired information about its application, function, features, use and support requirements.

These skills are necessary for the role of renewable energy sales representative.

• Promote sustainable energy: Promote the use of renewable electricity and heat generation sources to organisations and individuals, in order to work towards a sustainable future and encourage sales of renewable energy equipment, such as solar power equipment.
• Provide information on geothermal heat pumps: Provide organisations and individuals searching for alternative methods to provide buildings with energy on the cost, benefits, and negative aspects of the installation and use of geothermal heat pumps for utility services, and what one must take into account when considering the purchase and installation of geothermal heat pumps.
• Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
• Carry out sales analysis: Examine sales reports to see what goods and services have and have not sold well.
• Assess customers: Quickly compose a picture of a customers’ personal circumstances, needs and preferences.
• Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
• Provide information on solar panels: Provide organisations and individuals searching for alternative methods to provide facilities and residences with energy on the costs, benefits, and negative aspects of the installation and use of solar panels, and what one must take into account when considering the purchase and installation of solar systems.
• Provide information on wind turbines: Provide organisations and individuals searching for alternative energy methods on the cost, benefits, and negative aspects of the installation and use of wind turbines, both residential and common, and what one must take into account when considering the implementation of wind turbine technology.
• Advise on heating systems energy efficiency: Provide information and advice to clients on how to preserve an energy efficient heating system in their home or office and possible alternatives.
• Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
• Identify energy needs: Identify the type and amount of energy supply necessary in a building or facility, in order to provide the most beneficial, sustainable, and cost-effective energy services for a consumer.
• Inform on government funding: Give information to customers related to the grants and financing programmes attributed by the government for small and large scale projects in various fields such as the promotion of renewable energies.
• Inform customers on energy consumption fees: Inform potential customers of an energy retailer on the monthly fees charged for their energy supply services, and any additional charges.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of renewable energy sales representative. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Electricity market: The trends and major driving factors in the electricity trading market, electricity trades methodologies and practice, and the identification of the major stakeholders in the electricity sector.
• Energy performance of buildings: Factors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.
• Domestic heating systems: The modern and traditional heating systems alimented by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power and other renewable energy sources and their energy saving principles.
• Industrial heating systems: Heating systems fuelled by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power, and other reneable energy sources and their energy saving principles, applicable specifically to industrial buildings and facilities.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of renewable energy sales representative. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Prepare sales checks: Provide customers with official documents that prove their purchase and payment.
• Implement marketing strategies: Implement strategies which aim to promote a specific product or service, using the developed marketing strategies.
• Advise on utility consumption: Advise individuals or organisations on methods in which they can reduce their consumption of utilities, such as heat, water, gas, and electricity, in order for them to save money and incorporate sustainable practices.
• Deliver a sales pitch: Prepare and deliver an understandably constructed sales talk for a product or a service, identifying and using persuasive argumentation.
• Attend trade fairs: Attend exhibitions organised to enable companies in a specific sector to demonstrate their latest products and services, study the activities of their competitors, and observe recent market trends.
• Negotiate terms with suppliers: Identify and work with suppliers to ensure quality of supply and best price has been negotiated.
• Prospect new customers: Initiate activities in order to attract new and interesting customers. Ask for recommendations and references, find places where potential customers can be located.
• Liaise with advertising agencies: Communicate and cooperate with advertising agencies in transmitting the goals and specifications of the marketing plan. Liaise to develop an advertising and promotional campaign that represent the aim of the marketing plan.
• Manage development of promotional material: Perform, oversee or contact agencies for the content creation, designing and distribution of informational and advertising material.
• Promote environmental awareness: Calculate the carbon footprint of business processes and other practices in order to promote sustainability and to raise awareness for the environmental impact.
• Assess supplier risks: Evaluate supplier performance in order to assess which suppliers do or may not perform adequately, stick to the agreed contracts, meet the standard requirements and desired quality at all times or who may pose future risks.
• Negotiate improvement with suppliers: Build a good relation with suppliers in order to improve knowledge and quality of supply.
• Implement sales strategies: Carry out the plan to gain competitive advantage on the market by positioning the company’s brand or product and by targeting the right audience to sell this brand or product to.
• Achieve sales targets: Reach set sales goals, measured in revenue or sold units. Reach the target within a specific timeframe, prioritise sold products and services accordingly and plan in advance.
• Plan customers’ sales visits: Plan day-to-day sales routes and customer visits in order to introduce or sell new services or products.
• Monitor after sales records: Keep an eye on the after sales feedback and monitor customer satisfaction or complaints; record after sales calls for thorough data analysis.
• Review completed contracts: Review content and check accuracy of completed contracts.
• Plan event marketing for promotional campaigns: Design and direct event marketing for promotional campaigns. This involves face-to-face contact between companies and customers at a wide range of events, which engages them in a participatory position and provides them with information about a specific product or service.
• Manage contract disputes: Monitor issues that arise between the parties involved in a contract and provide solutions in order to avoid lawsuits.
• Perform market research: Gather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

3322 – Commercial sales representatives

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References

1. Renewable energy sales representative – ESCO
2. Solar energy sales representatives : Resources – Firsthand.co