Licensing
In general, door-to-door solar sales are legal if you register with the state as a solar installer. However, some states require solar businesses to obtain a state contractor license. This could be a specific license for solar contracting or residential/home improvement.
Restricted Markets, HIS Licensing & Solicitor's Permit
Some areas require that you have a home improvement sales person license.
Restricted Markets consist of: CA, CT, MD, City of Milwaukee, NY-Suffolk Co, NY-Nassau Co, NV, WA, IL, and TX
The Home Improvement Salespersons (HIS) license is required when selling in: CA, CT, MD, City of Milwaukee, NY-Suffolk Co, and NY-Nassau Co.
W-2/Employee required locations: NV and soon to be WA
Utility Requirement markets are: IL and TX (CPS and Austin Energy)
Obtaining and maintaining a valid HIS license and Solicitor's Permit is the responsibility of the Sales Rep. The HIS license cannot be used in place of a Solicitor's Permit, nor can the Solicitor's Permit be used in lieu of the HIS license. Sales Reps must also have their HIS license counter registered to Freedom Forever. Licenses that are not associated to Freedom are at risk of signing an invalid Agreement.
Solicitor's Permit is required when door knocking. Each AHJ is different, which will require you to research this information prior to soliciting. Typically, you are able to obtain this permit from either the local police department or city hall. Reps who are caught door knocking without a permit will be penalized by Freedom.
If you go on a blitz, make sure you are in compliance in the area.
Municipal Door-to-Door Laws
For any door-to-door selling, all Independent Authorized Dealers must follow municipal door-to-door laws that require
any permits and must strictly follow any do-not-knock registry in place.
Resources
HIS (Home Improvement Salesperson) License:
Not all states and cities are listed in these bullet points.
Per California: You must register with CSLB if you solicit, sell, negotiate or execute home improvement contracts for a licensed contractor (regardless of the dollar amount of those contracts), with limited exceptions.
Per Massachusetts: Contractors and subcontractors who perform home improvement work on an existing, 1- to 4-unit residential property in Massachusetts must register.
Helpful Links: Sales Resource Center > Document Library > Licensing Materials : Austin Energy | CA | CT | IL | MD | Milwaukee | NY