buying panels
ws9876
Solar Expert Posts: 435 ✭✭✭
Buying panels today online is fine but the shipping will double the price. When are suppliers like this store going to stock panels in the northern plains(Idaho/Montana)? so people can buy them and just go pick them up. ?
Comments
Another method, look at pallet pricing vs your purchase of a lot of X (where X is less than a full pallet)... At some point, it can be cheaper to buy a whole pallet (no repacking costs, same or similar trucking costs) than to purchase a lesser number of panels (with repackaging costs, similar or possibly higher shipping costs, etc.). You may also be able to get a pallet drop ship from direct from the warehouse/wholesaler (i.e., full pallet from XYZ distributor to you, vs XYZ to NAWS to you).
And there are options for "landing" your pallet... If you have forklift/loading dock or not... I.e., you have shipped to a terminal (with docks/pallet jacks/forklifts to receive from truck). And you go to terminal and pickup your self (unpack, pay terminal to fork into truck, etc.). For example, they usually charge extra for sending a truck with liftgate directly to your home.
In general, panels that are less than 145 Watts or so can ship "any method" (UPS, Bus, or Truck). Larger panels can generally only ship by truck/pallet. In some cases, you may be better off purchasing 2x 140 Watt panels with UPS shipping vs 1x 280 Watt panel (140 Watt panels tend to be more expensive put less to ship small quantities; Large format panels cost 1/2 the $/Watt, but shipping small qualities incures repackaging costs/minimum shipping or truck costs/air is more expensive).
-Bill
I bought my panels from my electrical supply house . I payed 135 plus tax for my first batch .
And picked them up at the shop .
My next batch was 160 plus tax after trumps tariff went into effect .
You have to call around and see who can get them AWS was more per panel and 500 buck in shipping , I would of bought them from our host but I need the panels and could not seam to get them on the phone to place a order.
Then you are likely buying a low quantity. You might find you are better off, with a small system, buying smaller panels which are easier to ship. Some sellers through Amazon and eBay sell 12 volt nominal panel for around 90 cents a watt including shipping. Here's an example of a 100watt panel for $80;
https://www.amazon.com/Newpowa-Polycrystalline-Efficiency-Module-Marine/dp/B00L6LZRXM/ref=asc_df_B00L6LZRXM/
If you will need a larger system, try saving and buying all at once, since it cost almost as much to ship 2 panels as 20!
Backwoods Solar is in Sandpoint, Idaho (Very north central about equal distance from Wash, Mont and Canada...), and carries some inventory, of course having to have it shipped in it costs them more so they have a bit higher prices on some things, but if you get on their Email list they sometimes get large quantities (containers?) and sell them pretty cheaply to move the inventory.
https://www.backwoodssolar.com/products/solar-panels
- Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
https://m.platt.com/Products.aspx?search=Solar&start=0
Under $1/watt
Yeah, look at the Spec sheet (cut sheet)
- Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
6 230ah GC @36 volts
18 amp accusense charger. 3650 champion
I am about 60 miles West of Lewiston on Hwy 12