The solar energy market is a very dynamic, rapidly growing market. Developments have occurred at a rapid pace in recent years and this will continue at this pace in the coming years. We think this is a good thing, but it is sometimes very difficult for installers when purchasing solar panels. There are many types of solar panels on the market. With different sizes, powers, cells and appearance. What should you pay attention to when purchasing solar panels? We give you 7 tips.
Tip 1: Which type of module do I choose?
When choosing a solar panel, first look at the type of solar cell. A solar panel consists of solar cells and there are several types of solar cells available.
Which solar cells you need depends on your own
wishes and needs. Solar panels with monocrystalline solar cells provide the highest efficiency. You pay less for solar panels with polycrystalline solar cells , but you also get less return. Solar panels with amorphous or thin-film solar cells are
cheap, but provide the lowest return.
Monocrystalline solar panels are often used in homes. You can use mono full black solar panels (completely black version) on sloping roofs, so that the PV field looks aesthetically beautiful.
On flat roofs (for example, when the panels are not visible from the ground) you can opt for mono silver solar panels, which are generally slightly cheaper but still have a high efficiency.
For larger projects, such as PV fields or commercial roofs, either polycrystalline solar panels or monocrystalline solar panels are used. The advantage of choosing polycrystalline solar panels in these cases is that you get a huge purchasing advantage with the mass because these modules are cheaper. Please note that polycrystalline solar panels have a lower yield than monocrystalline panels.
Tip 2: Which brand of solar panels do I choose?
In the Netherlands we have various brands of solar panels . The solar panels are offered through distributors, importers and trading companies.
When you buy solar panels, you will see that there is one
There is a big difference in price between the brands. There are a large number of solar panel brands on the market and these are often divided into tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3. This division is based on whether the solar panel manufacturers
be reliable, deliver quality products and be bankable.
Solar panel manufacturers that are bankable are Tier 1 manufacturers. The solar panels often have excellent warranties, can be re-insured and are often used in larger EPC projects.
The most important TIER 1 manufacturers are currently:
| Sunpower | Canadian Solar | Hanwha Q Cells |
| SolarWorld | Trina Solar | JA Solar |
| Jinko Solar | Solar Frontier | Renesola |
| First Solar | Panasonic | Sharp |
| LG Solar | SANYO | REC Solar |
Tip 3: The right place to purchase solar panels
As an installer of solar panels, it is sometimes difficult to determine where it is best to purchase solar panels. It depends on how much volume you install as an installer.
If you look carefully at the available brands and what demand there is from your customers, you can easily determine which brand to include in your range
records.
Most installers now choose TIER 1 manufacturers. Let
Please note that if you import solar panels yourself, you are also responsible. You can therefore also choose to purchase solar panels from national importers or distributors. These companies have now matured and have enough experience and strength.
It pays to compare the prices of wholesalers and importers. Prices of solar panels can sometimes differ based on supply and demand.
Tip 4: Purchasing solar panels, how do I determine the right price?
For orders above 4 pallets, it is interesting to look at which type of solar panel you are purchasing. The price is highly dependent on:
- the brand
- cell type
- technology
- guarantees
There are TIER 1 manufacturers who currently supply solar panels for a price of 0.22 cents per Watt Peak for a Mono solar panel with a
silver frame. These solar panels can be used very well in utility projects.
Brands such as LG Solar, Panasonic and Sunpower produce solar panels with very high efficiencies and powers. The cost is therefore a lot higher. More and more manufacturers are now entering the market with high efficiencies and powers per m2 and often at a lower cost price. So the market continues to move!
Our advice is to always keep comparing prices and see what new developments there are.
Tip 5: How do I make a healthy margin on my solar panel projects?
In the solar energy sector it's all about cost price and volume. Solar panels can be purchased directly, if you want
a competitive purchasing price then you have to run volume. For example, you can record volumes with an importer or manufacturer to have a constant supply of solar panels.
You can achieve a healthy margin if you properly purchase solar panels, inverters and mounting systems from the right distributors and/or manufacturers. Where you give a forcecast or your expectation of what will be sold.
Of course we see prices from different providers
to switch. You can make extra margins if you purchase in larger quantities, so that handling and transport costs are low.
A distributor is usually good at a number of brands, because they produce sufficient volume with those brands and have made purchasing agreements with them.
Tip 6: Which solar panels for which project?
Full black solar panels are often used for residential projects. These solar panels look nice and the average number of WP per solar panel is currently 330 WP.
For utility projects you can use monocrystalline solar panels with a silver frame, where you can choose 60/120 cells and 72/144 cells. The power is an average of 330 WP.
For higher powers you can opt for N-type technology cells or even Bificial modules. These modules have a higher cost price, but offer more benefits such as quality, guarantees and efficiency.
It is smart to focus on a specific segment, so that the volume of a specific panel increases and you can achieve purchasing advantages.
Tip 7: Stay informed of the latest developments
With the right products and prices you can make a healthy margin on your solar energy projects. But how do you know whether you are not paying too much with your current supplier? And do you ever suffer from delivery problems?
We have come up with a solution to compare prices and view costs. The online wholesaler Search4solar offers the following benefits for installers like you.
✔ Competitive prices, we bundle purchasing.
✔ No middlemen. Direct purchasing from European
distributors and manufacturers.
✔ Easy purchasing process.
✔ Fast delivery times, stock directly from distributor or
manufacturer.
✔ The latest technologies from top brands.
We wish you good luck with your solar energy projects!