entry level sales representative

commissioner

management trainee

solar installer

senior sales representative

NY State Solar

The first half of my time working at NYSS was truly a great experience but beyond that point it gradually became one of the worst work experiences I've ever had. There's an overall lack of consistency and communication so the environment always felt unstable. Management progressively became untrustworthy, unsupportive and disengaged... they don't listen to their employees. There's no objective thinking to be found and simply put management doesn't understand the fundamentals of phone sales, and the employees that did were stifled and cast out over time. The tools, resources, and support necessary for success were gradually pulled out from underneath us, and when we began to fail the company took no accountability for it and instead resorted to incessant micromanaging which created a dismal work environment. 

The work culture became toxic and negative, on the surface they continued to promote their "one big happy family" culture but you soon learn that it's mostly a smoke screen to conceal the nepotism and favoritism as it's more about who you know than the actual work you do or the contributions you make. I worked incredibly hard for this company going far beyond the scope of my position yet in the end the company didn't seem to notice or care. This company doesn't want even the slightest bit of independent thought, above all else they want you to conform to their mold and anyone that doesn't fit that mold is pushed away regardless of how hard they work or how much they contribute.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Where do i begin?!  Amazing leadership!  Is great working for and with leaders who have and set realistic expectations. There’s always workshops to help sharpen our skills. They actually listen to what we have to say and take it into account when making changes. This company celebrates wins in a MAJOR WAY!  the pay is much higher than others solar companies I’ve worked for. It’s refreshing to work in a healthy environment where there’s no drama and hard work is what gets you recognized above all else. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I can’t think of anything stressful. Any time i struggled, i had several leaders at my disposal to bounce ideas off of and they’re so eager to help me succeed. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Extremely healthy. It feels like a family. Everyone supports everyone. It makes you want to be the best version of yourself day in and day out. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Morning strategy talks with leadership, good clan appointments with homeowners who are interested. The product and how things are done is so above board and very easy to understand and explain. No pressure for same day closes so customers really appreciate the patience. Evening team discussion on improving strategies and how to improve ones quality of sale. Very little surprises. Depending on the day of the week…catered food!!!

I've been working for this company for a few months and it is definitely what you make it! They are all about performance so if you work hard and do your best they will definitely reward! No matter what position whether it be operations, outreach or PM the harder you work the better you will do and the more money you will make! Outreach is always doing pay or vacation incentives, planning fun events every month, and doing community outreach events. They have Friday lunches where everyone gets together and hangs out. Also there is always room for growth! I started out in outreach and ended up moving up within a couple of months. Since it is a small company, it definitely has a family type vibe about it. Even the CEOs know everyones name and make it a priority to know everyone. Every year they do a big trip with everyone, last year it was the Dominican Republic and paid for everyone and their significant other to go! Overall, just a great work experience, especially those coming out of college looking to help the environment and have a little fun while doing it!

Being a sales associate / out reach/ solar sales person/ canvasser is getting dropped off at a neighborhood in New York, and knocking on doors you think might be eligible for solar. Knocking on doors isn’t for everyone. The majority of people get kinda annoyed, some angry, some upset. But when someone is genuinely interested in what you have to offer, it does feel rewarding. For the majority of the day, you’re out alone, walking from house to house. If it’s hot out, you’ll be hot. If it’s cold, you’ll be cold. If it’s raining you”ll be wet. The pay isn’t bad, but you really do have to earn every penny. 

The managers and helpful, people who are really good at this job will be willing to help you but, door knocking is hard. So turnover kinda seems to be a little common. But if you’re willing to learn, and try, they’ll teach you. Seems like a good honest company, I just hated knocking on doors, disturbing people, walking around all day, exposure to the elements, etc, so I’ll be quitting.

Long story short, not a bad company. Lots of talented sales people here. But get ready to door knock. At least if you hate it, you’ll build character! 

Perceived as a fun job culture. But lacks in almost every department. Management is unethical and questionable.
Low pay & outdated commission 
Nepotism and corrupt business practices are abundantly clear.
The company as a whole lacks structure from the team leaders to the management and the shady people more so behind the scenes.
Occasional free lunches and trips and a ping pong table is glorified so much when trying to lure in newer younger hires, but neglect to inform about the downsides.
High turn over rate, don't expect to get much help if you can't keep up from the start. 
After suffering certain employees over the years, the quality of everything has shifted in a negative direction.
The dismantling of branches and job sectors such as QC, is also very alarming.
Lastly, but certainly not least; the way they go about letting most people go is in very poor taste. 

 The work is engaging, particularly when I'm helping a customer design a solar system that perfectly fits their energy needs.  The training provided by the staff is top-notch.  I enjoy seeing my peers grow and expand into different roles which contributes to a supportive work environment.
 What I appreciate most is that everyone, including upper management, is truly committed to customer satisfaction.  There's a real sense of teamwork and collaboration, and everyone is willing to help each other out.
Management is supportive and provides regular feedback and opportunities for growth and expansion.  There's plenty of room for advancement within the company.
The most enjoyable part of the job is knowing that I'm making a difference in helping people transition to clean energy. It's a rewarding feeling, what we do makes a difference.

I have found this company to be the most close-knit and respectable of any I have worked for. They are committed to helping their employees be successful, and I feel that every position has the potential to make great income if you are willing to learn and improve with the coaching they provide. I have seen people fall and be picked up rather than gotten rid of. I have seen myself and others rise to higher positions and secure the success that we have strived for. Solar is the dream product to sell - we are giving away lower bills and tax incentives, and it is relatively simple to understand, but just complicated enough where someone needs to explain it to customers and help them through it. This is the best solar company by any metric.

At NY State Solar, you are treated with dignity and respect no matter what. Even if someone is not performing well, it is approached in a kind and professional, yet very effective manner. The company loves to promote the people who work hard. They do this with a very clear system. For example, outreach associates have specific criteria in order to be promoted. A certain number of qualified leads generated equals a promotion. It is that simple. The company holds big events for employees a couple times a month. These events include paintball, horse riding, and much more. I have worked for a lot of solar companies and nothing compares to NY State Solar. The company is even ethical when it comes to the customers. If someone will not benefit from solar to the high standards we have, we will not install the system. I could go on and on forever about how great this company is. Just apply and you’ll see. 

I started my sales career here and it was a great job to have in between college semesters over the summer. They provide weekly sales training and the management is very friendly. There is indeed a ping pong table as well as a premium coffee machine. Typical day will start with 10-30 minutes of a team meeting and/or ping pong and then everyone goes out to the field to knock doors. Great place to work if you are motivated to learn how to sell and work as hard as you can. Hardest part of the job is staying motivated when having a bad week and dealing with the elements when there is inclement weather. 

I wanted to work for this company because I’m really invested in environmental justice. I’ve always been a great salesperson, so I had confidence that I’d do well on the phone. It is a call center, so the monotony is to be expected. I enjoyed working with my coworkers - my boss was very chill, so that was nice. 

However, the working conditions were gross. They didn’t hire a good cleaning company, so the bathroom & kitchen were never properly cleaned. There’s been a mouse problem for the last 2 months that has never been properly addressed (mouse droppings found frequently). The company’s vision to help homeowners transition to solar is great, but they don’t truly value their employees. I wouldn’t recommend working here to be honest. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Entry level sales representative 98 salaries reported	$67,000 per year
Commissioner 2 salaries reported	$175,000 per year
Management trainee 11 salaries reported	$66,727 per year
Solar installer 18 salaries reported	$27.69 per hour
Senior sales representative 23 salaries reported	$162,500 per year

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