The price of solar power equipment has declined significantly over the last decade, due to improvements in the manufacturing process as well as increased competition in the industry. As more and more solar companies have entered the market, solar panels have become more widely available. However, this is hardly something you’ll find at your average home improvement store. So, where can you purchase solar panels? Keep reading to find out.
From the Manufacturer
One option is to go directly to the manufacturer. This cuts out any middlemen that would increase the price of the panels so that they can still make a profit. However, gaining direct access to a manufacturer isn’t always easy, and they likely won’t be conveniently located for you. Additionally, you’ll need to know which manufacturer you want to purchase from before you start looking at their products. This means you’ll need to do ample research into all of the different solar panel makers in the industry before you can even really start shopping. This makes it harder to get a side-by-side comparison of comparable products made by different manufacturers.
From an Installer
Solar installers are very easy to access. In fact, you may sometimes see them out doing door-to-door sales in your neighborhood. It’s easy to contact these companies and ask them to come out and give you a quote on a system. However, they will have the highest markup on equipment out of all options. Generally speaking, installers get their equipment from distributors, who get the products from the manufacturer; this creates a longer chain to get the product to you, and there’s a markup associated with each link in that chain. Of course, an installer will also probably want to install the system for you, and may not sell you the product without you agreeing to installation services.
From a Distributor
The middle-of-the-road option is to buy from a Tier 1 distributor. These distributors work very closely with manufacturers so they have a minimal markup on their products. Additionally, they don’t require you to sign on for installation services or other kinds of contracts pertaining to your solar power system; if you just want to buy panels, you can do so. However, if you do want a full system installed, they can also provide you with recommendations for installers in your area, since they often work closely with these contractors as well. If you want to purchase solar panels, look for a Tier 1 distributor with a solar panel store near me.
