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Sunday, February 9th
Lowe's online store is a great place to compare prices of solar panels, and it is one of a handful of companies that offer free shipping or delivery - which can often equal hundreds of dollars of savings - with the most well-known brands in stock or ready to ship. You can even sign up for a consultation to get your panels installed here. Our only concerns were with customer service falling short when deliveries have been delayed or gone missing. In spite of this, we still believe Lowe's is an above-average pick, especially if you are interested in solar trends or free delivery.
Walmart is known for its low prices, and solar panels are not an exception. At Walmart you can find a great price for over 200 types of solar panels. In this case, we feel that quantity doesn't make up for a lack of quality, and we're concerned with the quality control regarding Walmart's third-party vendor marketplace. We are also unhappy with the customer service response to delayed shipments, and for those reasons, we can't recommend Walmart for solar panel shopping unless finding the lowest price is your only priority.
Solar power is still a relatively new innovation, and it can be overwhelming trying to understand which solar panels are the best. It's important to recognize your priorities: if you're not overly concerned with maximum output and you want to stay on budget, you could choose something less efficient and still be happy with your solar storage system.
If you've decided to do it yourself, you may want to consider a company that also sells the compatible parts you will need when setting up your solar storage system. This way, you can know that all parts will work together. Another thing to consider as a DIYer is whether the company offers tech or permitting support. You may also want a company that can work with you to design a plan that would include helping you with the necessary permits and interconnection if you want to be hooked up to the electrical grid to receive rebates.
There are four common types of solar panels: monocrystalline, which are made from a single source of silicon; polycrystalline, which are made up of silicon pieces all melted together; thin-film solar panels, which are somewhat flexible and lightweight; and PERC panels, which use silicon backing to make them more efficient. Monocrystalline PERC panels will be your most efficient choice, but also your most expensive.
The majority of solar panels available in the United States come from China. This is important to remember when shopping for solar panels, especially if you are doing your solar project on your own and not through an installation service. Most solar panel companies often run low on stock, and it takes a bit of time for shipping, as the panels come from the other side of the globe.
There are some solar panel companies that offer panels made in the United States; however, they are generally going to be more expensive than their Chinese-made and -assembled counterparts.
At this point, things may seem pretty daunting to the uninitiated, but we're here to help. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider which solar panel company you should choose:
To assist you in finding the best solar panels for your needs, Top Consumer Reviews has curated and ranked a list of companies for you to shop from. We're confident that this list will make your solar panel shopping experience brighter!
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