Will AI replace Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors?
AI can do 82% of the work Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 13 tasks, while 9 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 2 still need a person.
AI is already doing this1 · 9% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Provide technical information about solar power, solar systems, equipment, and services to potential customers or dealers.Mostly automated9% of time
AI could do this next9 · 73% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Generate solar energy customer leads to develop new accounts.18% of time
- Prepare proposals, quotes, contracts, or presentations for potential solar customers.18% of time
- Provide customers with information, such as quotes, orders, sales, shipping, warranties, credit, funding options, incentives, or tax rebates.13% of time
- Select solar energy products, systems, or services for customers based on electrical energy requirements, site conditions, price, or other factors.6% of time
- Calculate potential solar resources or solar array production for a particular site considering issues such as climate, shading, and roof orientation.6% of time
- Take quote requests or orders from dealers or customers.4% of time
- Create customized energy management packages to satisfy customer needs.2% of time
- Develop marketing or strategic plans for sales territories.2% of time
- Prepare or review detailed design drawings, specifications, or lists related to solar installations.2% of time
Robots can technically do this1 · 6% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Assess sites to determine suitability for solar equipment, using equipment such as tape measures, compasses, and computer software.Robots: almost anywhere6% of time
Still needs a person2 · 12% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Gather information from prospective customers to identify their solar energy needs.11% of time
- Demonstrate use of solar and related equipment to customers or dealers.1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. Real use is still behind at 7 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.
What to do next
- Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 9 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 2 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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