Sam Taggart Responds to Time Magazine’s Solar Slander

4 Min Read

Last Updated: December 6, 2023
Sam Taggart, a member of the Solar Bros, makes a statement with a smile, standing next to a residential solar panel installation while promoting door-to-door solar sales on a bright, sunny day.

Solar Bro

Door to Door Solar Sales Reps

Solar Panel Salesman

Who do you identify as in this diverse world of solar sales?

No matter what title you resonate with, there’s one undeniable truth: You earn a living selling solar panels door to door.

Now, here’s something you might not know…

Time magazine published an article on the solar sales industry.

It’s not just any article – it’s a massive wake-up call, and trust me, it’s not the kind you want to hear with your morning coffee.

So, what’s the big deal about this article, and why should you, as a solar sales professional, care? Let me lay it out for you…

When I first stumbled upon this article, a whirlwind of emotions swept over me – disappointment, frustration, and a glimmer of recognition. The article quotes sales trainers promoting deceptive practices.

It hit close to home, and here’s why: The article painted a less-than-flattering picture of an industry that’s not just my livelihood but my passion.

This is more than just a problem for those who have been in the game for years, perfecting our craft and advocating for integrity. It’s a massive challenge for newcomers entering an industry already under scrutiny. The reputation we work so hard to build and maintain is being undermined, and it’s our job to fix it.

If the experts are left to double down to clean up this mess, what’s left for the newcomers?

It’s an outright betrayal of our mission – to bring honor and integrity to the door-to-door space.

I didn’t just start the Door to Door Association and the D2DU, which offers courses focused on ethics and avoiding deceptive residential solar sales practices to fuel personal success.

It goes beyond that to elevating the entire industry because, as they say, rising tides lift all boats.

Our D2DU solar training is designed to teach the right way, led by those who truly understand the ethos of our industry and what this industry should stand for.

The D2D Industry Is At a Critical Juncture 

Now, back to the article. Reading about the industry being dragged through the mud, especially in a publication as widely read as Time, and seeing other sales trainers advocating for deceitful tactics – is infuriating. My mission to bring honor, integrity, and unity to the door-to-door industry is more crucial than ever.

We’re at a critical juncture where companies must protect themselves and their reputation.

How?

By investing in a vetted training system that teaches the correct sales practices. If you’re out there, cutting corners, forgetting that at the end of the day, it’s about serving people, not just making a quick buck, it’s time to rethink your strategy or do us all a favor – step aside.

Rebutting the Two Major Objections

Objection 1: There is No Regulation in the Solar Industry

We’ve got rules, regulations, and plenty of them. Whether talking local, state, or federal levels, a whole playbook of policies keeps things in check. SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) is right in the thick of it, working with the big shots in D.C. and beyond to ensure solar gets a fair shake in the market.

Furthermore, distributed solar energy, which includes rooftop installations, is regulated through various state and local policies impacting customers and deployment.

For example, net metering, a key policy for solar consumers, allows individuals who generate their solar power to sell excess electricity back to the grid. This is governed by laws in many states, with variations based on state legislation and regulatory decisions.

Additionally, federal regulatory agencies are continually evolving to address the needs and challenges of the rapidly growing solar industry, as seen in the proactive engagement and rulemaking participation by SEIA’s regulatory affairs experts.

Objection 2: Solar Bros Stretch the Truth

Alright, let’s lay it on the line. Sure, you’ve got a few solar sales guys out there playing fast and loose with the facts. But let’s not paint the whole industry with the same brush. Most of us in solar are here to give you the real deal – solid, sustainable energy solutions that save you green while being green.

And hey, we, the pros, must step up our game. We must teach our customers what solar’s about – the costs, the savings, the real deal. It’s all about keeping it honest, transparent, and legit.”

Read More: D2D Selling: Illegal or Misunderstood Art? Debunking Myths & Highlighting the Positives

The industry doesn’t just need regulation; it requires a revolution in ethics and integrity

Going beyond fundamental training and regulation, we need a proper avenue and platform for industry professionals to come together.

This is where D2DCon comes into play. As the premier event for the door-to-door sales industry, D2DCon is not just a conference; it’s a movement. It’s where we gather the best minds to share knowledge, build networks, and, most importantly, champion the cause of integrity and honor in sales.

D2DCon participants don’t just attend another industry event but become part of a larger mission to revolutionize door-to-door sales, especially in the solar sector.

To all the hardworking, honest sales reps out there, keep shining. Your integrity and dedication are what will drive this industry forward. Let’s work together to ensure that solar sales are not just about closing deals but about lighting up lives, one ethical sale at a time.

Stay Tuned for More: A Sales Sign-off Until Our Next Encounter

In this ever-evolving world of sales, remember, sales isn’t just a job; it’s a lifelong lesson in human interaction and integrity.

So keep that learner’s mindset, stay laser-focused, and view every customer interaction as an opportunity to create value and learn something new. Stay passionate, stay inspired, and keep selling, my friends!

So, do yourself a favor – check out our website or DM us.

Let’s talk about what it’s like to be in this industry and how we can collectively uplift it, ensuring our customers get what they need, our reps earn what they deserve, and we all contribute to a better world.

Let’s go FULL SEND on ethical sales at D2DCon!

Sam Taggart

I knocked doors since I was 11! Never bought into the whole hourly normal job, and used direct sales to be the vehicle to create MASSIVE success. I Started the Direct Sales division for Solcius as their VP building it up to have 70+ sales reps nation wide. In 2018 I left to pursue a greater mission to unify and uplevel the Door to Door industry and founded the D2D Experts.

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