Travis Makes Money Make Money Knocking Doors in Solar | Steven Cohen
Travis reconnects with long‑time friend and solar sales leader Steven Cohen to break down how door‑to‑door solar has created life‑changing income for thousands of reps—and why the recent merger of Sunder Energy with publicly traded SunPower has only strengthened that opportunity. From early days earning a few hundred dollars per kilowatt to today’s multi‑thousand‑dollar commissions, Steven explains how the industry has evolved, what the new legislation means, and why performance‑based sales is still one of the fastest paths out of a capped paycheck.
On this episode we talk about:
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How Sunder Energy grew into one of the largest solar sales dealerships in the U.S. and why SunPower acquired it to power their third‑party ownership (TPO/lease/PPA) strategy going into 2026
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What the recent “big, beautiful bill” did to tax credits, why homeowners will lose the 30% credit on ownership, and how finance companies now use that credit on TPO to lower customer costs
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Current solar commissions (often $700–$800+ per kW and even higher in some markets), realistic income potential for committed reps, and why many people are now earning the same money on less volume
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The realities of 100% commission work—no base, no benefits, but unlimited upside—and why solar, pest control, alarms, and similar models are better viewed as businesses than jobs
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How industry corrections, higher interest rates, and weak operators have shaken out tourists from solar—and why those who stay, build teams, and play the long game are best positioned for the next upswing
Top 3 Takeaways
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Performance‑based sales can compress your earning timeline dramatically, but only if you treat it like a business, manage volatility, and stay in the game when conditions get hard instead of chasing the next “easy” industry.
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Door‑to‑door isn’t just about commission checks; it forges rare skills in communication, resilience, team building, and leadership that transfer to any future venture or career.
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Solar is still a long‑term growth industry despite short‑term corrections; as energy demand soars with AI, data centers, and crypto, those who remain and level up through this cycle are likely to benefit most from the next boom.
Notable Quotes
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“Profits are better than wages—any time you can be paid on the value you create instead of the hours you clock, you give yourself a real shot at financial freedom.”
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“It’s never just about your comp plan; it’s about what you believe you’re worth and whether you’re willing to bet on your performance instead of your time.”
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“Most people play the finite game and quit when a cycle turns; if you can stay planted for a decade in the right vehicle, you usually win by simply outlasting everyone else.”
Connect with Steven Cohen:
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevencohen/?hl=en
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