FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
There are several options at Sunrun. You don’t need to know whether you are leaning towards ownership or a leasing option before the consultation but if you are, let me know so we can better tailor your experience. We want to find the solution that best matches your goals both physically and financially. Keep an open mind at the beginning. Listen to the options we present, and weigh the pros and cons of each. Don’t set your mind on one thing until you have all the information.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
In the North Eastern United States, typically only 1 in 3 homes can benefit from having solar installed on them by Sunrun. First they need a roof in good condition that receives a fair amount of Sun. This roof cannot have wood, slate, or terra cotta shingles. As an outreach representative, I specialize in pre-qualifying homeowners as good candidates for the no cost solar program that all residents are contributing to, as well as our solar panel ownership options. After prequalifying a home, I coordinate a convenient time for the homeowner to meet with our qualifier/energy consultant and receive a free energy report to determine if and how their home can benefit from a solar installation. The goal of this consultation is to explore and preliminarily determine which solution best aligns with the home owner’s interests. If the home owner decides they would like to move forward with one of our solutions, then we set up a site survey and turn the estimates into more exact details. If the customer is satisfied with these results then Sunrun begins the permitting process to have the project cleared by the town and utility company. When this is all set, the install usually takes less than 2 days and permission to operate is granted within a couple weeks. All in all this process can take roughly 1 - 3 months from start to finish.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Ironically, I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography. This afforded me some environmental studies, cartography courses and geographic informations systems (GIS) practical application. None of this was required for my current job although I do need to analyze satellite imagery every day in preparation for it. I have two years of experience working with two very contrasting solar companies as a door to door canvasser. At my current company Sunrun, I have benefited from a practice where canvassers and qualifiers share an open dialogue enabling transparency and teamwork that allows the canvasser to develop a very wholesome understanding of the processes and nuances of the industry. This ultimately improves the experience of the customer and the efficiency of our process. I continually hone my skills in determining good candidates for residential solar. I am privileged with the opportunity to facilitate the discussions required for people to change their lives for the better both financially and environmentally and in doing so improve my life as well.