Sunrun Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Sunrun is at the forefront of transforming how we harness and utilize solar energy, promoting sustainability and clean energy solutions.

The Business Intelligence Analyst at Sunrun plays a crucial role in translating complex data into actionable insights that drive strategic business decisions. This position involves collaborating with various stakeholders to define reporting requirements, managing the end-to-end development of dashboards, and ensuring the accuracy and relevance of data models across the organization. A successful candidate will have a strong background in data architecture, particularly with SQL and data visualization tools like Tableau, and will be adept at communicating complex information in a simple and digestible format. This role is rooted in Sunrun's values of teamwork, innovation, and a commitment to customer focus, making a proactive approach to problem-solving and a collaborative spirit essential for success.

This guide will equip you with the necessary insights and strategies to effectively prepare for your interview, ensuring you can demonstrate your alignment with the role's demands and the company's mission.

The interview process for the Business Intelligence role at Sunrun is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. Candidates can expect a series of interviews that evaluate their analytical capabilities, problem-solving skills, and ability to communicate complex information effectively.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process typically begins with a phone screen conducted by a recruiter. This initial conversation focuses on the candidate's background, relevant experience, and motivation for applying to Sunrun. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the expectations for the role, ensuring that candidates understand the alignment between their skills and the company's needs.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates will participate in a technical interview. This session is designed to assess the candidate's proficiency in SQL and data analysis tools, as well as their understanding of data architecture and modeling. Candidates may be asked to solve problems or discuss past projects that demonstrate their analytical skills and ability to derive actionable insights from complex data sets.

3. Panel Interview

The next step is often a panel interview, which includes multiple team members from the Business Intelligence department. This format allows the team to evaluate how well candidates can communicate and collaborate with others. During this interview, candidates can expect behavioral questions that explore their past experiences, teamwork, and how they handle challenges in a business context. Additionally, candidates may be asked to present a case study or analysis they have prepared in advance.

4. Final Interview with Leadership

The final stage of the interview process typically involves a meeting with senior leadership or hiring managers. This interview focuses on the candidate's strategic thinking and ability to influence business decisions through data-driven insights. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their vision for the role and how they can contribute to Sunrun's goals, as well as their understanding of the solar industry and its challenges.

5. Assessment Task

In some cases, candidates may be required to complete a take-home assignment or assessment task. This could involve creating a data visualization or analysis using SQL or other BI tools, which will be reviewed during the final interview. This task helps the team gauge the candidate's technical skills and their ability to present complex information in an accessible manner.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise during this process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Company Culture

Sunrun emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and belonging, which are core to their mission. Familiarize yourself with their values and how they translate into everyday practices. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with Sunrun's commitment to transforming energy solutions and fostering a supportive work environment. This understanding will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a mix of behavioral and technical questions during your interview. Given the feedback from previous candidates, it’s crucial to prepare for questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, focusing on specific examples that highlight your analytical skills and ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a Business Intelligence Analyst, proficiency in SQL and data visualization tools like Tableau is essential. Brush up on your SQL skills, focusing on complex queries, data manipulation, and reporting. Be ready to discuss your experience with data architecture and modeling tools, as well as any relevant projects where you utilized these skills. If you have experience with Python or R, be prepared to mention how you’ve applied these languages in your previous roles.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Effective communication is key in this role, especially when translating complex data into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms, and be ready to demonstrate your ability to present data visually. During the interview, maintain a confident demeanor, and don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions if you need more context on a topic.

Engage with Your Interviewers

Candidates have noted that some interviewers may come across as rushed or uninterested. To counter this, actively engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and how the BI team contributes to Sunrun's overall strategy. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your expectations.

Be Prepared for a Structured Process

The interview process at Sunrun can be structured and may involve multiple rounds, including technical assessments. Be ready for a potential take-home assignment that tests your SQL and analytical skills. Manage your time effectively to ensure you can complete any assignments thoroughly and submit them on time.

Demonstrate Your Adaptability and Resilience

Given the nature of the role, showcasing your adaptability and resilience is crucial. Be prepared to discuss instances where you faced challenges or setbacks and how you overcame them. Highlight your ability to learn from experiences and your commitment to continuous improvement, which aligns with Sunrun's focus on innovation and growth.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can present yourself as a strong candidate who is not only technically proficient but also a great cultural fit for Sunrun. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence interview at Sunrun. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and your capacity to communicate complex data insights effectively. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data architecture, SQL, and BI tools, as well as your approach to stakeholder engagement and project management.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain your experience with SQL and how you have used it in your previous roles?

Understanding SQL is crucial for this role, as it is a primary tool for data manipulation and analysis.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you utilized SQL to extract, manipulate, or analyze data. Highlight any complex queries you wrote and the impact of your work on business decisions.

Example

“In my previous role, I used SQL extensively to create reports that tracked sales performance. I wrote complex queries that joined multiple tables to provide insights into customer behavior, which helped the sales team adjust their strategies and ultimately increased our conversion rates by 15%.”

2. Describe a time when you had to manage a Tableau dashboard buildout. What challenges did you face?

Tableau is a key tool for data visualization at Sunrun, and your ability to manage dashboard projects is essential.

How to Answer

Share a specific example of a dashboard you built, the stakeholders involved, and any challenges you encountered, such as data quality issues or tight deadlines.

Example

“I led a project to build a Tableau dashboard for our marketing team. The challenge was integrating data from various sources, which initially had discrepancies. I worked closely with the data engineering team to clean the data, and we successfully launched the dashboard on time, which provided real-time insights into campaign performance.”

3. How do you ensure the accuracy and sustainability of your data models?

Data integrity is vital for making informed business decisions.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to data validation, testing, and documentation. Mention any tools or methodologies you use to maintain data quality.

Example

“I implement a rigorous testing process for my data models, including unit tests and peer reviews. I also document the data sources and transformation processes to ensure transparency and facilitate future updates. This approach has helped maintain a high level of accuracy in our reporting.”

4. Can you provide an example of how you identified actionable insights from data?

This question assesses your analytical skills and ability to translate data into business value.

How to Answer

Describe a specific instance where your analysis led to a significant business decision or improvement.

Example

“While analyzing customer feedback data, I noticed a recurring theme regarding our product's usability. I presented these insights to the product team, which led to a redesign that improved user satisfaction scores by 20%.”

5. What experience do you have with data governance best practices?

Understanding data governance is important for ensuring compliance and data quality.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with data governance frameworks and any experience you have implementing these practices in your previous roles.

Example

“I have worked with data governance frameworks that emphasize data quality, security, and compliance. In my last position, I helped establish a data stewardship program that included regular audits and training sessions for team members, which significantly improved our data handling practices.”

Stakeholder Engagement

1. How do you prioritize and manage stakeholder requests for data analysis?

This question evaluates your project management and communication skills.

How to Answer

Explain your process for gathering requirements, setting expectations, and managing timelines.

Example

“I prioritize stakeholder requests by assessing their impact on business objectives. I hold initial meetings to gather requirements and set clear timelines. Regular check-ins help manage expectations and ensure that I deliver the analysis on time.”

2. Describe a situation where you had to influence a business leader's decision using data.

Your ability to communicate insights effectively is crucial for this role.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where your data analysis influenced a strategic decision.

Example

“I presented a data-driven analysis to our executive team that highlighted the potential ROI of investing in a new marketing channel. By clearly illustrating the projected outcomes with supporting data, I was able to secure their buy-in for the initiative, which ultimately increased our market reach.”

3. How do you handle conflicting priorities from different stakeholders?

This question assesses your conflict resolution and negotiation skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to balancing competing demands and finding common ground.

Example

“When faced with conflicting priorities, I facilitate a meeting with the stakeholders to discuss their needs and the potential impact of each request. By fostering open communication, we can often find a compromise that aligns with our overall business goals.”

4. Can you give an example of how you trained stakeholders on a new reporting tool?

Training is an important aspect of ensuring data adoption across the organization.

How to Answer

Describe your experience in conducting training sessions and the methods you used to ensure understanding.

Example

“I organized a series of hands-on workshops to train stakeholders on a new reporting tool. I created user-friendly documentation and provided real-time support during the sessions, which helped increase adoption rates and empowered users to leverage the tool effectively.”

5. What strategies do you use to drive adoption of data products among end users?

This question evaluates your ability to promote data-driven decision-making.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for engaging users and demonstrating the value of data products.

Example

“I focus on understanding the specific needs of end users and tailor my communication to highlight how the data products can solve their challenges. I also gather feedback to continuously improve the tools, ensuring they remain relevant and useful.”