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Careers›Roles›Retail Solar Advisor
Mid-Level

Retail Solar Advisor

Selling solar systems through a retail channel — mall kiosks, big-box partnerships, retail showrooms — qualifying interested shoppers, scheduling in-home consultations, sometimes closing simpler deals on the spot. The work mixes lead generation with consultative selling under a retailer's roof.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
R
S
I
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Retail Solar Advisors
Wholesale & Distribution · 58%Professional Services · 14%Manufacturing · 11%Technology & Information · 8%Retail · 2%Construction · 1%
Job markets for Retail Solar Advisors
Where Retail Solar Advisor jobs concentrate · ~293 metro areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Sales
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Retail Solar Advisor

As a Retail Solar Advisor, you're bringing solar expertise to a retail environment. You're stationed in home improvement stores, solar showrooms, or retail locations where customers can walk in and learn about solar options. Your job is to educate interested customers, assess their situations, and either close sales on the spot or schedule in-home consultations.

Your day involves greeting customers, qualifying their interest and property situation, explaining solar benefits and costs, and handling objections. Unlike pure retail, you're selling a high-consideration purchase that requires technical understanding and often home assessments. You need to balance the accessibility of retail with the complexity of solar solutions.

The challenge is converting foot traffic into qualified leads or sales. Many people browsing are curious but not ready to commit. You need patience to educate without hard-selling, and persistence to follow up with interested prospects who don't buy immediately.

What people in this role value
AchievementAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
Working ConditionsModerate
RelationshipsModerate
SupportModerate
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
Role Profile
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Things that vary from job to job as a Retail Solar Advisor
retail partnerlead vs close splitin-store vs kioskcompensation modeltechnical training
Retail solar advising happens through big-box partnerships (Home Depot, Costco), dedicated solar showrooms, or mall kiosks. Some advisors qualify and schedule; others close simpler deals on the spot. The retail partner shapes foot traffic, customer demographics, and the selling environment.

Is Retail Solar Advisor right for you?

An honest look at who tends to thrive in this role — and who might find it challenging.

This role tends to work well for...
This role tends to create friction for...
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$97K+110%
Energy & Utilities$95K+107%
Professional Services$94K+104%
Financial Services$79K+72%
Government$69K+51%
Compared to Sales average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Retail Solar Advisors (SOC 41-4011.07), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Sales →
Retail Solar AdvisorSolar DesignerSales AssociateSales SpecialistSales ConsultantSalesmanSales Representative (Sales Rep)CanvasserSolar AdvisorSolar ConsultantSolar Sales AdvisorSolar Sales AssessorSolar Sales EstimatorSolar Sales AmbassadorSolar Sales ConsultantSolar Sales SpecialistSolar Energy SpecialistSolar Resource AssessorSolar Business DeveloperSolar Sales Energy AdvisorResidential Solar ConsultantSolar Technology Sales AgentSolar Energy Sales ConsultantSolar Site Assessment SpecialistResidential Solar Sales Consultant+1 more
Exploring the Retail Solar Advisor career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
What it takes to advance
1
2
3
Lateral Moves
Solar Sales Consultant →
Retail advising builds foundation for field-based solar sales
Retail Sales Manager →
Solar retail experience translates to retail management
Energy Efficiency Advisor
Solar knowledge extends to broader energy products
Questions you might ask when interviewing
What retail partner or location does this role serve?
Is this a lead-generation role or a full-cycle sales position?
What compensation structure — hourly, per-lead, or per-appointment?
What product training is provided?
How are leads handed off to the installation team?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$49K–$195K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
294K
U.S. Employment
+1.9%
10yr Growth
27K
Annual Openings

How Retail Solar Advisor pay & employment are changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

SpeakingPersuasionReading ComprehensionService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingActive ListeningNegotiationJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem Solving
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
41-4011.07

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

juniorJunior Retail Solar Advisor$100KmidSolar Designer$85KmidSales Associate$65KmidSales Specialist$70KseniorSenior Sales Specialist$70KmidSales Consultant$70K
View all Sales roles →

Common questions about what it's like to be a Retail Solar Advisor

What does a Retail Solar Advisor do?

Selling solar systems through a retail channel — mall kiosks, big-box partnerships, retail showrooms — qualifying interested shoppers, scheduling in-home consultations, sometimes closing simpler deals on the spot. The work mixes lead generation with consultative selling under a retailer's roof.

How much does a Retail Solar Advisor make?

Median pay for a Retail Solar Advisor is about $100K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $49K to $195K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).

What skills does a Retail Solar Advisor need?

Core skills for this role include Speaking, Persuasion, Reading Comprehension, Service Orientation, and Social Perceptiveness.

What education do you need to be a Retail Solar Advisor?

Most people in this role hold a postsecondary certificate.

Is a Retail Solar Advisor in demand?

Employment in this field is projected to grow about 1.9% through 2034, with roughly 293,930 people working in it today (BLS).

What jobs are similar to a Retail Solar Advisor?

Closely related roles include Junior Retail Solar Advisor, Solar Designer, and Sales Associate.

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.