$63..... 390w bifacials $1684 a pallet

[Rmart30]

My biggest problem is telling the wife,

I may be in the dog house for a while.

Or maybe I will spin it as "proper planning" before the tariffs drive prices up to high , Yeah that's the ticket

you were thinking ahead and saving money so you could have more to spend on her

 

[Kornbread]

you were thinking ahead and saving money so you could have more to spend on her

Have used a similar line knowing tariffs were on the way.

 

[Dagoth Ur Does Solar]

My wife enables my harebrained schemes.

So when I asked "babe can I order a pallet of solar panels" and I said it would only be ~$2k she said go for it.

Now I have to decide how far I want to take it, am I aiming for a larger permitted system or what...

 

[Offthewall]

Word of advice, these panels are stacked on their side and the instructions say to cut the bands and take them out one at a time while leaving the outer cardboard intact. This is nearly impossible to do. I would recommend putting them against a wall and leaning them for support. Luckily I have a skid steer and can tilt them slightly while unloading.

Super happy with the freight company Beene used here.

Driver was great, got his fullsize trailer in no problem, didn't even hit the grass around my driveway, unloaded it for me with a power jack, rolled it right up where I wanted the pallet.

There was a tiny amount of damage to the cardboard on top but the panels inside seem totally fine so far.

Now I get to begin the fun process of breaking the pallet down and moving them to my storage location...

Must not have been Roadrunner. My driver was an absolute dumbass who didn’t pull up and back up my driveway to turn around like I told him to. Instead he pulled up my driveway and then backed down towards my building getting close to hitting my Tesla. Then had to do a 5 point turn and drive through my yard… and before anyone says I dont know how he has to maneuver his truck, I drove a fire truck home for years which is just as long if not longer than his truck and a whole lot heavier…. And I have had plenty of deliveries here and they had no problems. Then to top it off the dipshit pulled facing downhill and parked. He could not move the pallet of panels all the way to the back by himself and I had to help him pull them with the pallet jack. He then said I cant turn them around so I’ll have to pick the pallet jack up and sit it on the panels and put it on the other side. I told him to just take the pallet jack off with the liftgate and I would pick the pallet up with my skid steer… he said, well if we use the liftgate they will charge you for it. I told him its already included. I should have told him to do it himself then GENIUS… but Im sure he would have at minimum destroyed the pallet if not killed himself trying… ok rant over.

I did get my panels wires in today. Unfortunately it was very cloudy and raining all day but it was nice to add a few extra watts to the system. Im excited for a nice sunny day tomorrow!

 

[Dagoth Ur Does Solar]

Word of advice, these panels are sracked on their side and the instructions say to cut the bands and take them out one at a time while leaving the outer cardboard intact. This is nearly impossible to do. I would recommend putting them against a wall and leaning them for support. Luckily I have a skid steer and can tilt them slightly while unloading.

Must not have been Roadrunner. My driver was an absolute dumbass who didn’t pull up and back up my driveway to turn around like I told him to. Instead he pulled up my driveway and then backed down towards my building getting close to hitting my Tesla. Then had to do a 5 point turn and drive through my yard… and before anyone says I dont know how he has to maneuver his truck, I drove a fire truck home for years which is just as long if not longer than his truck and a whole lot heavier…. And I have had plenty of deliveries here and they had no problems. Then to top it off the dipshit pulled facing downhill and parked. He could not move the pallet of panels all the way to the back by himself and I had to help him pull them with the pallet jack. He then said I cant turn them around so I’ll have to pick the pallet jack up and sit it on the panels and put it on the other side. I told him to just take the pallet jack off with the liftgate and I would pick the pallet up with my skid steer… he said, well if we use the liftgate they will charge you for it. I told him its already included. I should have told him to do it himself then GENIUS… but Im sure he would have at minimum destroyed the pallet if not killed himself trying… ok rant over.

I did get my panels wires in today. Unfortunately it was very cloudy and raining all day but it was nice to add a few extra watts to the system. Im excited for a nice sunny day tomorrow!

What an absolute nightmare!

Mine came via Saia, who I have never worked with before. I usually have had other big companies like XPO Logistics and such... Half the time they want to play games and have me meet them somewhere like a store parking lot, somewhere they don't have to do even a modicum of maneuvering.

My residence isn't dangerous and there's plenty of room, wide driveway entrance, etc.

Guy from Saia was a master at driving his truck though, he knew exactly where he needed to stop to be in position be to back right in, didn't miss a beat, just executed it perfectly in one nice movement.

I chatted with him, I guess he'd been doing it forever and was going to retire soon. He actually asked a bunch of questions about solar.

If I ever had a choice, I'd use them again over any of the others based off this experience alone.

I'm used to stupid stuff like FedEx drivers deciding for absolutely no reason to attempt to off road from my driveway and get their effing truck stuck in the mud. Wish I was kidding. There are some delivery drivers that I question if they should even have a learners permit.

 

[Offthewall]

Wow I'm making 6.85kw by 8:30am (11.8kw by 9:30, 15kw by 10:30, 16.8kw by 11:30). Its crazy to see how much the direction of the panels affect production. Due south 180* is making 1.32kw vs 825watts from the array slightly south west at 200*. I would have never thought a 20 degree difference would result in over a 50% decrease. (2.93kw vs 2.55kw at 10:30)

As a side note the bifacial array is producing about 200watts more than its non bifacial counter part. Both arrays are 9 x 390w (3510w total). About a 6.5% gain.

 

[Dagoth Ur Does Solar]

Wow I'm making 6.85kw by 8:30am. Its crazy to see how much the direction of the panels affect production. Due south 180* is making 1.32kw vs 825watts from the array slightly south west at 200*. I would have never thought a 20 degree difference would result in over a 50% decrease.

That's awesome!

How transparent would you say the panels are in the sun? They look pretty opaque, I didn't see an opacity % listed on the spec sheet.

Given that I have all these bifacials, I am considering in the longer run doing some kind of solar pergola in the yard. We've been wanting something like that to provide at least a little bit of shade to hang out under.

 

[Offthewall]

That's awesome!

How transparent would you say the panels are in the sun? They look pretty opaque, I didn't see an opacity % listed on the spec sheet.

Given that I have all these bifacials, I am considering in the longer run doing some kind of solar pergola in the yard. We've been wanting something like that to provide at least a little bit of shade to hang out under.

They let more light through than my hyperions which let none but its very minimal and diffused… I would guess it blocks 98%+. The shadow it creates is solid.

 

[Sun Snatcher]

Wow I'm making 6.85kw by 8:30am (11.8kw by 9:30, 15kw by 10:30, 16.8kw by 11:30). Its crazy to see how much the direction of the panels affect production. Due south 180* is making 1.32kw vs 825watts from the array slightly south west at 200*. I would have never thought a 20 degree difference would result in over a 50% decrease. (2.93kw vs 2.55kw at 10:30)

As a side note the bifacial array is producing about 200watts more than its non bifacial counter part. Both arrays are 9 x 390w (3510w total). About a 6.5% gain.

Congrats! So I'm trying to get this straight. How many panels do you actually have deployed? Only 9 newly-installed Hyundai monos, along with 9 more Hyperion bifacials, both 390 watts? 7.02 kw total?

And you did 6.85 kw by 8:30 am, with 7 kw of panels deployed?

I have 6kw deployed (15 x 405 Hyperions), and it took me almost 3 hours after sunrise just to reach 1 kwh.

1kwh at 9:22 ... 171 min after 6:31 am sunrise for 1 kwh (351w avg.)
2kwh at 10:05 ... 43 min for 1 kwh (1395w avg.)
3kwh at 10:30 ... 25 min for 1 kwh (2400w avg.)
4kwh at 10:58 ... 28 min for 1 kwh (2143w avg.)
5kwh at 11:25 ... 27 min for 1 kwh (2222w avg.)
6kwh at 11:42 ... 17 min for 1 kwh (3529w avg.)
7kwh at 11:54 ... 12 min for 1 kwh (5000w avg.)
8kwh at 12:09 ... 15 min for 1 kwh (4000w avg.)
9kwh at 12:22 ... 13 min for 1 kwh (4615w avg.)
10kwh at 12:35 ... 13 min for 1 kwh (4615w avg.)
11kwh at 12:49 ... 14 min for 1 kwh (4286w avg.)
12kwh at 1:12 ... 23 min for 1 kwh (2609w avg.)
13kwh at 2:01 ... 49 min for 1 kwh (1224w avg.)
14kwh at 3:53 ... 112 min for 1 kwh (536w avg.)

 

[Sun Snatcher]

Oh, hold on. You wrote that you were doing 16.8kw by 11:30 am. You have to have more than 7 kw deployed to be taking in 16.8kw. Or do you mean 16.8kwh of solar had been taken in up until that point in the day? 16.8kw, or did you mean 16.8kwh?

 

[Offthewall]

Oh, hold on. You wrote that you were doing 16.8kw by 11:30 am. You have to have more than 7 kw deployed to be taking in 16.8kw. Or do you mean 16.8kwh of solar had been taken in up until that point in the day? 16.8kw, or did you mean 16.8kwh?

Sorry I should have been more clear. My current setup is as follows:
Array 1 = 10 x Hyperion 400w bifacial
Array 2 = 11 x Hyperion 400w bifacial
Array 3 = 9 x Hyundai 390w non bifacial
Array 4 = 9 x Hyundai 390w bifacial
Array 5 = 9 x Hyundai 390w bifacial

Total 18,930watts deployed…. Still have 11,730watts to deploy.

 

[455dan]

My shipment has made it into California, should be headed North into and through Oregon tonight.

Quite the trip, if my math calculation is right they will have travelled ~ 2500 miles to get here. Delivery is now listed for the 11th

Edit:

No call yet Looks like It will be the 14th to call and set up the delivery. Panels made it to the local shipping hub. Delivery likely on the 14-16th.

 

[Rocketman]

I got my two pallets today.



All I can say is they are big pallets.

We had difficulty getting them out of the truck because the lift gate mechanism got in the way. The pallet barely fits in the truck length-wise when turned. But we got it.

I am so excited!

 

[455dan]

Well that's what I get for saying don't worry about the delivery. My pallets arrived in Spokane Friday morning, then today Oak Harbor said they transferred them to another carrier- Fast way, they called saying they can't deliver to my residence because of the weight limits on the roads, but checking tonight a new update it appears any limits for the delivery route have been lifted.

Fastway wants to meet me in a parking lot , about 7 miles away, and being 2 pallets I will have install my fifth wheel adaptor to take my 20 foot utility trailer that has a sloped dove tail and side rails.

I am just not to sure a pallet jack will roll over the dove tail to transfer 80" + pallets if I can't get my trailer under the lift gate and or the lift gate wont clear those side rails. Oh well, hopefully it is no big deal

 

[Kornbread]

Well that's what I get for saying don't worry about the delivery. My pallets arrived in Spokane Friday morning, then today Oak Harbor said they transferred them to another carrier- Fast way, they called saying they can't deliver to my residence because of the weight limits on the roads, but checking tonight a new update it appears any limits for the delivery route have been lifted.

Fastway wants to meet me in a parking lot , about 7 miles away, and being 2 pallets I will have install my fifth wheel adaptor to take my 20 foot utility trailer that has a sloped dove tail and side rails.

I am just not to sure a pallet jack will roll over the dove tail to transfer 80" + pallets if I can't get my trailer under the lift gate and or the lift gate wont clear those side rails. Oh well, hopefully it is no big deal

Sheet of 3/4" plywood with support underneath it to span the gap?

 

[455dan]

Sheet of 3/4" plywood with support underneath it to span the gap?

That is a great thought, if I can't get them to deliver to home, I will see about doing the transfer in the Home Depot parking lot. Then if a problem comes up I can just buy a sheet and roll it to the trailer on one of their carts.

Thanks ,

This seems like a good back up plan.

These guys do these semi trailer to pu trailer transfers often I would think? but have never done it this way before, Always to home, usually they either set the pallet on the ground or like last time used the tractor FEL to do the unloading along with their lift gate.

 

[Dagoth Ur Does Solar]

Well that's what I get for saying don't worry about the delivery. My pallets arrived in Spokane Friday morning, then today Oak Harbor said they transferred them to another carrier- Fast way, they called saying they can't deliver to my residence because of the weight limits on the roads, but checking tonight a new update it appears any limits for the delivery route have been lifted.

Fastway wants to meet me in a parking lot , about 7 miles away, and being 2 pallets I will have install my fifth wheel adaptor to take my 20 foot utility trailer that has a sloped dove tail and side rails.

I am just not to sure a pallet jack will roll over the dove tail to transfer 80" + pallets if I can't get my trailer under the lift gate and or the lift gate wont clear those side rails. Oh well, hopefully it is no big deal

Oh boy. That is exactly how I was worried about mine going. I dodged a bullet getting a good driver/company this time.

I would have been screwed, I currently don't have even a utility trailer, I would have needed to bug a friend/neighbor for a favor.

 

[Kornbread]

That is a great thought, if I can't get them to deliver to home, I will see about doing the transfer in the Home Depot parking lot. Then if a problem comes up I can just buy a sheet and roll it to the trailer on one of their carts.

Thanks ,

This seems like a good back up plan.

These guys do these semi trailer to pu trailer transfers often I would think? but have never done it this way before, Always to home, usually they either set the pallet on the ground or like last time used the tractor FEL to do the unloading along with their lift gate.

I've always met at the freight depot so they can use one of their forklifts to put the pallet on my trailer, although, I have met the freight driver at a local store where he used a pallet jack and lift gate to offload a pallet of minisplits into the pickup bed. It was interesting, and not nearly as heavy as a pallet of panels.

Make sure the phone is charged cause you will be taking a lot of pictures and if any sign of damage whatsoever, don't sign the paperwork without acknowledging somewhere on the paperwork, that there is visible damage, and be sure you get a copy stating such.

 

[455dan]

I've always met at the freight depot so they can use one of their forklifts to put the pallet on my trailer, although, I have met the freight driver at a local store where he used a pallet jack and lift gate to offload a pallet of minisplits into the pickup bed. It was interesting, and not nearly as heavy as a pallet of panels.

Make sure the phone is charged cause you will be taking a lot of pictures and if any sign of damage whatsoever, don't sign the paperwork without acknowledging somewhere on the paperwork, that there is visible damage, and be sure you get a copy stating such.

Fastway's freight depot is 150 mile round trip, I could have done that and saved $200? , but when time, fuel, and hassle is figured in decided to have delivery locally/ home.

While posting this called our local rock crushing company (on the same road) and was able to confirm the weight limits were pulled at 4PM yesterday, just called Fastway and was able to get them to switch back and re-confirm the home delivery , also got a time window so the two pallets should be delivered by this evening.

Things are looking Up.


On the pallet condition, yeah always a worry until you can see them up close, but if they look like everyone's previous pics in this thread, I will be a happy camper.

ps. Funny how things work out, by having the load arrive at the main depot going into a weekend, and transfer on Monday to another carrier the timing has ended up being perfect.

If the pallets had arrived any sooner, I would have had to give up the home delivery.

 

[455dan]

Pallets unloaded, didn't need the truck, trailer, or really even the pallet fork extensions. Friendly driver, I used the tractor for everything , just had to unload his spare pallet jack before unloading for a pick up he was going to after, didn't even use the lift gate, he said wow we made that look like we almost knew what we were doing. He also said he has delivered solar panel pallets around this area recently to other addresses so solar is growing.

Tipped the driver - The pallets look Great no damage I could see.

ps. as a bonus the 250 ft of more URD 6-6-6 arrived as well.

 

[Recovering EE]

Same. I'll be lifting mine to the top of a 10' pergola frame.

That's what sons are for.

We wrestled sixteen 40lb panels up to a 10' roof, with an 8' ladder. Fun times.