Solar Delivery Options for Distributors, Manufacturers and Contractors
The United States solar energy market has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years. With many concerned about the environment and looking to reduce their carbon footprint, it’s no surprise that markets project high demand for solar power to continue. Evidence of the increasing use of solar panels is visible by driving through neighborhoods across the country. Delivery of a PV solar system can be a challenge since solar panels are heavy and delicate.
So, how can a PV installer, licensed builder, or licensed electrical contractor be confident that solar equipment will be successfully delivered to their customer? Let’s look at the option distributors, manufacturers, and contractors for solar delivery.
PV Modules, Panels, Railing, Wiring and Hardware
Whether you’re a distributor, manufacturer, or contractor, sending your products. modules, panels, railings, wiring, hardware, etc. – through the supply chain, you want to feel confident that delivery will be handled professionally. Everyone wants to wow their customers, and nothing disappoints or causes more headaches than a damaged product.
Curri specializes in moving construction-related equipment, including solar panels and the accompanying modules, railing, wiring, and hardware. Our professional fleet takes pride in transporting equipment, no matter the size or delicate nature. We handle it with care. Therefore, Curri can help you deliver solar PV equipment from point A to B and enable you to keep your promises and peace of mind.
Transport Options for Every Stage in the Supply Chain
Snags in the supply chain in the United States have been reported in the news. Moving items, such as solar panels through the supply chain, takes the coordination of all those involved in including truckers, drivers, rail, and more. Therefore, if one entity in the supply chain is off, the whole process is impacted, and empty shelves become a reality. This lack of reliability is frustrating for manufacturers, distributors, and everyone else involved in the process, including the end customer.
For those solar installers who are counting on having solar equipment shipped and delivered to them, the lack of reliability is particularly disappointing. If they do not receive the equipment to install, jobs may be delayed and even lost.
Last Mile: Local Job Site Delivery
Viewed as particularly challenging as it relates to logistics, last-mile delivery is difficult to navigate for stores. Drivers are handling all types of items, yet one thing they have in common is they are time-sensitive. And in the case of solar panels, delicate. So, transport of these items needs to be done carefully.
If you are a contractor at a local job site waiting for solar systems from a distributor, your only concern is getting the product on time. The challenges involved in delivery are for someone else.
Middle Mile: Regional Couriers
Before the solar equipment gets to your local brick and mortar store, distributors and manufacturers need to move it there from a warehouse or distribution center. Transporting items between these two entities is just as important a part of the process. After all, a local retailer (even if it’s a chain) can not stock panels, modules, and railing needed for solar installation without reliable transport between themselves and the warehouse. The product can be stuck in massive distribution centers while end customers are waiting.
This is where regional couriers come in. They tend to have high on-time delivery rates, better knowledge of local areas, and faster delivery times (than national couriers). By utilizing, these services distributors and manufacturers can feel confident that solar equipment is moving along the chain.
Freight Shipping: LTL and FTL, Straight Trucks and Semis
LTL (less than truckload) is a way to ship freight via semis. Multiple shippers’ freight is transported on the same trailer. On the other hand, there’s FTL (full truckload). Like LTL, FTL typically uses semis though straight trucks may also be used.
Transporting freight via LTL tends to be more reasonable cost-wise. However, the freight may be loaded and unloaded from trailers and warehouses multiple times before reaching its destination. The excess handling of the product means there’s a greater chance something could be damaged. This is particularly concerning when it comes to transporting solar panels since as noted, they are sensitive.
On-Demand Direct: Hotshot Transportation
As needed or on-demand direct shipping is when freight is shipped directly to their destination rather than to an interim location such as a warehouse or distribution center. It is sent on demand and could be a one-shot deal. Distributors or manufacturers often use it for some of their most important and time-sensitive deliveries since it skips the middle mile. To ensure this transportation mode saves time means hotshot drivers need to be found quickly. If so, customers will be impressed by the speedy delivery, and the one-shot deal can turn into something much more.
Another advantage of hotshot transportation when it comes to solar panels and solar PV systems is that there is less handling of them in this mode. This means the solar equipment should arrive at its destination in fine condition. Therefore, it can continue along its journey and get to solar installers quickly and ready to be placed on the roof.
Curri Can Handle Anything
Curri can handle sensitive PV solar system equipment and make sure it gets to its destination quickly, reliably, and professionally. Our array of drivers can move solar panels through every stage in the supply chain in the entire continental United States. Whether for a one-way hotshot or a regular route, we can deliver solar energy systems and other construction equipment from point A to point B. From manufacturer to doorstep, we’ve got your delivery needs covered.
Get valuable insights and resources about delivery logistics
Lorem ipsum dolor site emet.
Solar Panels by Sunrun
Learn about our best-in-class solar products and services.
Experience Peace of Mind for Decades to Come with Sunrun Rooftop Solar Panels
When you team up with a solar company like Sunrun, you can create your own affordable, clean energy and gain independence from your utility company. A Sunrun solar installation can help power your home when the sun is out while you boost control over your energy usage and reduce your dependence on fossil fuels.
We offer several residential solar plans to help you start your solar journey. Find out which is the ideal fit for your budget and unique energy needs.
We offer some of the best solar rooftop panel systems on the market, and you can bring them home through a lease payment plan, flexible solar financing, or by paying outright. Our made-to-fit solar solutions, paired with exceptional service and our industry-leading solar guarantee, have positioned us as the leading residential solar and energy storage company in the U.S. 1
Solar panels are just one part of the solution to experience energy freedom and security. To ensure you get the most out of your home energy system, consider adding a solar battery back-up service like Sunrun’s Brightbox. Hundreds of millions of people were affected by blackouts from 2008 to 2017. 2 With Brightbox, you can keep your lights on and your food fresh during outages with a Smart, affordable, and reliable back-up power system.
Benefits of Adding Sunrun’s Battery Storage Service to Your Solar Panels
Brightbox doesn’t need dangerous, expensive, and toxic fossil fuels to work. 3 When the sun is out, it can store clean and affordable back-up power for later use.
Brightbox paired with a Tesla Powerwall can help you back up your entire home, or you can back up just the rooms you need with an LG Chem solar battery.
Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem solar batteries can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and they typically come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty for your peace of mind.
Solar with incentives
Our Automated Site Modeling tool is a revolutionary technology that allows us to design a custom Sunrun home solar energy system based on your roof’s unique dimensions and layout.
Sunrun’s Automated Site Modeling tool will use your roof’s individual profile, including shading, pitch, sun exposure, seasonality, and roof obstacles. This will ensure that the designed Sunrun solar panel system matches your home’s structure and unique energy needs. A customized system can let you know your potential control over your future electricity bills
Sunrun’s Product Selector is an innovative and simple tool. It lets you know in minutes which solar plan, with or without a home battery, can give you and your family more benefits in the long run, depending on where you live.
Sunrun’s Product Selector will use information about your roof’s type and pitch, your household size, and other important aspects, like if you have a home office or if you need back-up power, to recommend the best Sunrun home solar plan for you. This can help secure the peace of mind you deserve during rising energy costs and power outages while reducing your carbon footprint.
Does my state offer incentives to go solar?
See the states where Sunrun is currently available and the solar incentives that might be offered where you live. Some of the most common solar incentives include tax credits, property tax exemptions, and rebates. No matter what state you live in, you may be eligible for the Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) if you decide to purchase a home solar energy system.
You can get a Sunrun monthly plan to lease your solar panels or prepay for your renewable energy through a solar power purchase agreement or PPA plan. As a result, any incentive savings you would receive through tax credits and rebates with a system purchase can be passed to you in the form of a lower solar bill.
How do solar panels work?
You can’t talk about solar panels without talking about silicon. Silicon is a non-metallic element and the second-most abundant material on earth. 4 It can also convert sunlight into electricity, and it’s a key component in a solar system (also known as a photovoltaic, or PV system). 5
Solar panels, solar cells, or PV cells, are made by slicing crystalline silicon (also known as wafers) that are millimeters thin. These wafers are sandwiched between protective glass, insulation, and a protective back sheet, which make a solar panel. The back sheet helps to regulate the temperature and humidity to optimize the solar panel’s efficiency. 6 Multiple solar panels connected together create a solar array, and ultimately, a solar system.
Then there’s the physics of how solar cells work: Electricity is made when electrons move between atoms. The top and bottom of a silicon wafer in the solar cell are treated with small amounts of atoms of extra materials—such as boron, gallium, or phosphorus—so that the top layer has more electrons and the bottom layer has less. When the sun activates the electrons in these oppositely charged layers, the electrons move through a circuit attached to the panels. This flow of electrons through the circuit is what generates the electrical current that ultimately powers a home. 7
What are the different types of solar panels?
Monocrystalline solar panels:
Monocrystalline solar panels have the highest efficiency and power capacity out of all other types of solar panels. Another reason why people choose them is because of how they look. The solar cells within monocrystalline panels are square-shaped and have a single, flat black color, making them the most popular type of solar panels among homeowners. 8 Sunrun uses monocrystalline PV modules in all its home solar systems.
Polycrystalline solar panels:
The manufacturing process of polycrystalline solar panels is less costly than monocrystalline panels, but it also makes them less efficient. Usually, polycrystalline solar panels don’t have the corners cut off of them, so you won’t see the large white spaces on the front of the panel that you see on monocrystalline panels. 8
Thin-film solar panels:
Thin-film solar panels are less costly and easier to install than their counterparts. Still, they aren’t the best option for a home solar installation due to their efficiency, lightweight material, and durability. 8
How long do solar panels really last?
When you consider investing in a solar installation, you might wonder how long home solar panels last. Studies show that solar panels can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, or sometimes longer. 9 Still, this doesn’t mean the panels on your roof will stop producing electricity after a couple of decades. It just means their energy production will decrease by what solar panel manufacturers consider optimal to meet the average household’s energy needs.
Do home solar systems have a warranty?
All of our solar equipment is backed by factory warranties. On top of that, our monthly solar lease plan and prepaid solar plan (also known as a solar PPA) come with 24/7 proactive monitoring and free maintenance on us. If we notice that your rooftop panels or solar battery aren’t working at their full capacity, we’ll send an expert over to fix it without you lifting a finger. This benefit sets Sunrun apart from the other solar installers in the country.
How does Automated Site Modeling work?
After you enter a few details about your home, our Automated Site Modeling tool will analyze hundreds of thousands of variables in home solar system designs to build a high-resolution image of the ideal system for your roof. These factors include your home’s pitch, seasonality, sun exposure, shading, and roof obstacles. This helps Sunrun guarantee you receive maximum benefits from your new home solar system.
How does Sunrun’s Product Selector work?
After you answer a few simple questions about your home’s details, lifestyle, and electricity usage, Sunrun’s Product Selector will let you know if a monthly lease plan, prepaying for your solar energy, financing a system, or purchasing outright—along with a back-up power service—is the most cost-effective solution for your unique needs.
Are Automated Site Modeling and Sunrun’s Product Selector really free?
Yes. At Sunrun, we’re committed to providing you with the best technology, services, and tools, like our Automated Site Modeling tool and Product Selector, to make your switch to solar as affordable and straightforward as possible. This can help you worry less about controlling your electric bills and protecting your home during outages while reducing your carbon emissions for decades.
Do solar panels get hot?
Rooftop solar panels can get hot, particularly during scorching summer days. If the panels do get hot or overheat, they can produce less energy as the temperature rises above their optimal energy production range.
In general, residential solar panels are designed to reach their peak efficiency level at 77 °F (25 °C), but their efficiency will decrease by 0.5% for every degree above this temperature. The actual percentage of lower production varies by the solar panel’s manufacturer and model. Ultimately, you want to aim for an exterior temperature range of 59 to 95 °F (15 to 35 °C). Yet, it’s unrealistic for rooftop solar panels to stay within this range all year, especially in places where temperatures can go past 100 °F (37.8 °C). Fortunately, most solar panels can withstand heat up to 149 °F (65 °C). 10
Nonetheless, solar panel overheating can be prevented. Many solar panel manufacturers cover the panels in a material that generally conducts and vents heat away from the glass. In addition, solar panels are usually mounted a few inches above the roof, which allows airflow space to help move heat away from the panels.
Despite the reduction in efficiency from extreme heat, solar energy generation doesn’t stop. The lower electricity production due to scorching weather balances out with the longer days of sunlight throughout the seasons. Although solar panels work best on cold, sunny days, they produce solar power year-round in nearly every location and climate.
Do solar panels work in cold weather?
Solar panels create energy from sunlight—not the sun’s heat. In fact, solar panels produce electricity more efficiently in cooler conditions. Even in the most frigid weather, solar panels can turn sunlight into electricity.
How does this work? Colder temperatures enhance solar energy production efficiency, which increases the amount of electricity produced. Electrons are at rest in cooler climates. When the electrons in solar panels are activated by increasing sunlight, a voltage difference is attained that creates an electric current.
Warmer summer temperatures raise the overall energy levels of electrons in solar panels. This increased energy level decreases the energy differential that can be gained, producing less energy. A higher energy state interferes with solar panel electricity production since some energy transfers into heat instead of electricity. Your home doesn’t need to be in a warm-weather state like Arizona, California, Nevada, or Texas to generate year-round reliable solar power.
Do solar panels work at night?
While solar panels need sunlight to create electricity, there are two ways you can benefit from solar power during the nighttime: enroll in a net energy metering (NEM) program (if it’s offered where you live), or add a home battery storage service, like Sunrun’s Brightbox.
Net energy metering (NEM): Lower-cost grid energy at night
If NEM is offered in your state and by your utility, you may be eligible to earn credits on your bill for the excess solar energy you produce and send to your utility company. 11 At night, you could use those credits toward drawing electricity from the grid at a lower cost. Net metering may help you save money on your future electricity bills. Visit your utility company’s website for more information.
Solar battery storage: Reliable, affordable back-up energy, day and night
A battery storage service like Brightbox can let you store the excess solar power you produce for later use. This stored solar energy can help keep your devices and appliances running at night, during outages, cloudy days, and rainy afternoons.
Brightbox offers two lithium-ion solar battery storage options: Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem. Tesla Powerwall can help yo back up your entire home while LG Chem can help you back up to four circuits inside your home. There are also differences in software and app functionality.
Request a free, personalized quote to connect with a Sunrun Solar Advisor and determine which Sunrun back-up solution would work best for your home.
How does Brightbox work?
Brightbox allows you to store the excess energy your solar energy system produces during the day to use it in the evening, at night, or when the electric grid fails due to physical damage or an extreme weather event or.
Do I need solar panels to use Brightbox?
Aside from very rare exceptions, Sunrun’s Brightbox service includes rooftop solar panels. Brightbox can store 100% clean, renewable, home-grown solar power directly from the rooftop panels when the sun is out, so you can use it when you need it most.
Can I add Brightbox to my current home solar system?
At this time, Brightbox with a Tesla Powerwall or LG Chem solar battery is only available in the installation of a new Sunrun home solar system due to tech compatibility issues. We can’t install rooftop solar panels or a home battery if you already have an existing solar installation or if Brigtbox’s battery storage service isn’t available in your area.
What happens during a solar installation?
Once you’re approved for a solar installation, your property will undergo a site assessment, and an expert solar technician will schedule a visit with you to confirm your system design.
After that, our Solar Design Experts will make any necessary adjustments to your design and get your final approval. Once it’s approved, we’ll submit your design to the city for permitting, which can take up to eight weeks. From there, either Sunrun or one of our local certified partners will start your solar installation. We only partner with the top-rated solar installers, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll have the highest quality solar installation available.
When your installation is finished, the city or county will perform a final inspection of your system. Once it’s approved, it’ll be connected to the grid, and we’ll submit your documents to the utility company. After your utility company grants Permission to Operate (PTO), you’ll be all set to start powering your home with the sun.
What happens if I move?
We have an entire team of professionals standing by to help you sell your solar home and transfer your contract, if applicable, to the new owners. Sunrun makes it easy to pass your solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) to the new owners. Our Service Transfer Specialists handle everything from educating realtors and potential buyers to working with escrow officers, title agents, home inspectors, as well as anyone else who might need to know about your system and solar lease or PPA agreement.
The 10 Largest Solar Companies In The United States
Cite This Webpage Zippia. The 10 Largest Solar Companies In The United States Zippia.com. Apr. 19, 2023, https://www.zippia.com/advice/largest-solar-companies/
- The largest solar company in the U.S. is NextEra Energy, with a revenue of 20.956 billion and an market share of 2.37%.
- As of 2022, the U.S. solar industry has a market size of 12 billion.
- U.S. jobs like Solar Technician will grow by 27% through 2031.
- The U.S. solar industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.3% through 2027.
The United States primarily relied on fossil fuels to supply energy for more than 100 years. Recently, with the growing concern about climate change, that trend is changing.
Luckily, solar energy is considered the most abundant energy resource on the planet. Solar panels capture the sun’s energy through the photovoltaic effect. Basically, the sun is a massive nuclear reactor, emitting huge amounts of energy to the earth.
Solar collectors gather the energy, and it can then be transferred for use. Although it’s a clean, renewable, and abundant energy source, it has been slow to catch on. Luckily, the cost of solar panels is dropping, making this a more viable option for commercial and residential use.
The United States has done a lot of research into solar energy and the oldest solar power plant in the world resides in California. As attention turns to renewable energy, more states are putting resources into making solar energy a priority. Hawaii has gone so far as to say that by 2045, they will be using 100% renewably-sourced electricity.
Top Solar-Energy Companies in the United States
Who are the leaders in solar energy in the United States? The following companies are making great strides in the solar and renewable energy fields. They’re definitely on the rise and can expect to experience growth in the future. This list is compiled in no significant order.
-
NextEra EnergyJuno Beach, Florida2022 Annual Revenue: 20.956 billion Big news in the world of solar energy happened in October of 2020: NextEra Energy surpassed Exxon as the most valuable U.S. energy company. At the time, the stock market valued NextEra at 900 million more than Exxon. This enormous growth is a great sign for the solar and renewable energy field as a whole and a good sign for the green movement. NextEra prides itself on delivering clean energy across much of North America and providing sustainable solutions to changing energy needs and demands. In addition to solar power, the company also supplies wind, nuclear, and natural gas power.
Final Thoughts
Solar power and other renewable energy projects are expected to grow substantially over the coming decades. The FOCUS on green energy and renewable resources is centered around creating a healthier planet and controlling global warming as much as possible.
Solar technology has finally reached a point where it’s a cost-effective solution to energy. This means that utilities and residential solar is finally at the point where it costs less than traditional coal or natural gas-produced energy.
Now that we’ve hit this level, the benefits far outweigh the downsides, and companies in the solar electricity industry will continue to grow and thrive. And, as we’ve seen lately, traditional energy companies will continue taking the hits and many of them will find it difficult to survive.
Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating / 5. Vote count:
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Top Solar Panel manufacturers in China
Solar power manufacturers in developed nations such as the US, the UK etc have not been able to compete with their counterparts in China, thanks to its aggressive step into renewable energy, which has given a major push to its market.
According to recent data, China has outpaced all its competitors and has become the largest investor in the domestic solar energy sector, by having pumped in US103 Billion in the entire renewable energy sector.
We have listed the top 10 solar panel or photovoltaic (PV) makers in China.
Trina Solar Limited
Trina Solar Limited is based out of the province of Jiangsu in China and it has several branches in the United States, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1997 Trina Solar has been world’s largest solar panel maker after it surpassed its rival Yingli.
Trina Solar’s list of services includes the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of high quality modules and an integrated supply chain.
China Sunergy
China Sunergy is one of the biggest Chinese solar cell products manufacturers, which is based out of Nanjing in Jiangsu, China. China Sunergy’s expertise is in making solar cells out of silicon wafers.
Though it has its major customer base in China, but the firm also sells their products worldwide.
China Sunergy started producing both monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon solar cells in 2007.
DelSolar Co Ltd
DelSolar Co Ltd is a solar manufacturing firm by the Delta Group that is engaged in the research, design, distribution and manufacture of Solar cells and solar modules. It is also engaged in the development of photovoltaic systems. DelSolar Co Ltd has its roots in Hsinchu (Science-based industrial Park) in PhaseII, Taiwan.
JA Solar
JA Solar Holdings has its roots in Shanghai in China. The firm designs, develops, manufactures solar cell and solar module products and sells the as well.
The operations of JA Solar Holdings are based in the People’s Republic of China.
The firm is also engaged in making and selling of monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar panel cells. Apart from selling their products locally, JA Solar Holdings is also into the selling of its products to customers in Spain, South Korea. Germany, Sweden. and the United States too.
JA Solar was founded in 2005 and is based in Ningjin, in the People’s Republic of China. The firm gets a big share of subsidy from the Chinese government.
Motech Solar
Motech Solar is a subsidiary of Motech Industries Inc with its headquarters in Tainan, Taiwan. The firm was entitles as the 6 th biggest producers of solar cells in 2007.
Motech Solar is engaged in the manufacture of solar cells, photovoltaic (PV) modules, PV inverters, PV systems among others.
Motech Solar was founded in the year 1981 as a designer and manufacturer of test and measurement instruments before it went on to become a pioneer in manufacturing polycrystalline silicon solar cells in Taiwan.
The firm is currently ranked one of the top 10 solar cell maker in the world.
Suntech Power
Founded in 2001, Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd has its roots In Wuxi, in Jiangsu. The firm claims to develop, manufacture, and deliver the world’s most reliable and cost-effective solar power solutions.
Suntech Power, has so far, supplied photovoltaic panels to over thousands of customers in at least 80 countries. Suntech Power’s performance was at its peak in 2008 and seen a decline after that in the wake of a glut in the market for solar power products.
Suntech Power has been a supplier of solar modules for several solar energy plants and systems around the globe.
Yingli
Officially known as Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited, the firm was found in 1998. Yingli Solar is one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world with a photovoltaic module capacity of 4 GWs.
Headquartered at Baoding, in China Yingli has over 30 regional branch offices and subsidiaries. Yingli Solar has made the distribution of more than 15 GW solar panels to its customers across the globe. Notably, Yingli Green Energy began production of PV modules in 2003.
It is pertinent to note that according to HIS, Trina Solar is the top shipper of solar panels (in 2014), which was followed by Yingli Green Energy and that both the companies are based out of China.
China, over the past few years, has dominated the solar power equipment manufacturing business and shipments as well.
Jinko Solar
Jinko Solar is one of the biggest PV maker in China, which has six productions facilities in Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Xinjiang Provinces of China. Its other production facilities are located in Malaysia, Portugal and South Africa while 16 other overseas subsidiaries are in Japan, Singapore, Turkey, Germany, Italy, India, Switzerland, and Spain.
Jinko Solar distributes its solar power products and sells its solutions and services to a range of international utilities and commercial and residential customer base in China primarily. Jinko Solar has been doing business in the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, and other countries and regions as well.
SFCE Solar
SFCE Solar or Shunfeng International Clean Energy aims at creating a low-carbon environment through its integrated photovoltaic services and solar power stations constructions and operations, and manufacturing of solar power products as well as solar energy storage.
SFCE Solar is also engaged in research development and operations of other forms of green energy.
SFCE Solar has been making solar wafers, solar cells, solar modules and also inverters and fast-charging devices.
SFCE Solar Group is currently the market leader in solar energy generation in China. The firm has established solar power stations in areas including Shaanxi, Hebei, Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Hainan, Inner Mongolia, and Tibet.
Hanwha Q CELLS Co Ltd
Hanwha Q CELLS Co Ltd is also a renowned and one of the world´s biggest and most recognised photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer, which is known for its high-quality, high-efficiency solar cells and solar modules.
Hanwha Q CELLS Co Ltd has its roots in Seoul, South Korea, though. Hanwha Q CELLS offers a wide range of full spectrum of photovoltaic products, applications and solutions, solar modules, solar kits and also large-scale solar power plants.
The company has international manufacturing facilities in South Korea, Malaysia and China.
Conclusion
It is pertinent to note that according to HIS, Trina Solar is the top shipper of solar panels (in 2014), which was followed by Yingli Green Energy and that both the companies are based out of China.
China, over the past few years, has dominated the solar power equipment manufacturing business and shipments as well.