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diy solar

diy solar

Signature Solar and MattB4’s experience.

Mattb4

Solar security
Joined
Jul 15, 2022
Messages
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Off beaten path.
On the morning of Tuesday, November 5th I placed an online order on Signature Solar’s website for 10 375W Bifacial panels. They were being sold for $86.25 with a shipping cost of $165.18 and tax of $71.94. Total cost $1,099.62 This is my first time buying from Signature Solar.

That afternoon I received notice of shipping as well as a tracking number assigned. Typically places I order from will give you a tracking number and nothing happens for weeks later. But in this case I got a text message the next day from FedEx freight requesting me choose a delivery time. I chose Friday at around noon to give enough day time to handle getting the panels off loaded and checked for damage.

I instead had to run to the freight terminal (30 miles away) to pickup the panels and transfer to my 1 ton flatbed pickup for the journey out my rural road. The rain storm over the last weekend had done a fair amount of damage to it and it was not driveable for a semi with 53ft trailer. Doing that adds about $20 on my total costs. I was in and out of the FedEx facility in under ½ hour and back home by 10AM. Not bad.

The panels arrived undamaged as far as I can see. Certainly a lot of thought went into how they were packaged before shipping. I do not expect to be using them till Spring so if there is hidden damage I guess it is on me at this point since I am leaving them on the pallet. I probably will need to get my neighbor to help me handle them when that time comes around.

As experiences go I am well pleased with the entire event. Good job to Signature Solar!
 

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I had a similar experience when I ordered panels from Signature Solar. Good communications, fast shipping, delivered in pristine condition to my door.
 
I had a similar experience when I ordered panels from Signature Solar. Good communications, fast shipping, delivered in pristine condition to my door.
No communications other than the auto web order so can not comment about that. If they knew who I was they might have treated me differently. Like digging through the panels for those ones that were bent into a U or having the glass shards shed from the panels be shipped in an accessories box. But that would only be after months of waiting. Instead they must have thought I was someone else and gave me VIP service. ;)
 
I've only ordered small stuff from signature solar at this point - typically it ships the next day, I have tracking and it shows up a few days to a week later ... I do live out in the sticks a bit so no matter what I order or the ship speed it takes 1 extra day in summer and 1~3 days in winter depending on snow. For frieght shipments I have to take the truck to the top of the driveway and drive it down to the garage - hazard of a switchback where the peak of the roof is even with the road surface.

No troubles and everything arrived as ordered.... and when I get round to ordering the house system they are in the running.
 
These are the Vikram Prexos bifacial panels? I'm about to order 51 of them, please let me know if you run into any dud panels (I'm ordering 3 extra for a 48-panel install). Did you originally pay to have them shipped to you but ended up needing to pick them up from FedEx yourself?
 
Yes they are the Vikram Prexos. Although I paid for shipping my location is such that freight shipment by Semi is always a difficult thing. I live 3.5 miles out on a County road that is dirt and rock and very steep in parts. Most times I end up driving out to the highway and transferring loads to my truck. I could have done that with these panels but when I found out they were in my nearby town (albeit 30 miles away) I figured it was just a better idea to run in and pick them up.

Won't know if any are dud for sometime since installation is likely going to be Springtime next year. Good luck on your 51 panel order. That is a big one.
 
On the morning of Tuesday, November 5th I placed an online order on Signature Solar’s website for 10 375W Bifacial panels. They were being sold for $86.25 with a shipping cost of $165.18 and tax of $71.94. Total cost $1,099.62 This is my first time buying from Signature Solar.

That afternoon I received notice of shipping as well as a tracking number assigned. Typically places I order from will give you a tracking number and nothing happens for weeks later. But in this case I got a text message the next day from FedEx freight requesting me choose a delivery time. I chose Friday at around noon to give enough day time to handle getting the panels off loaded and checked for damage.

I instead had to run to the freight terminal (30 miles away) to pickup the panels and transfer to my 1 ton flatbed pickup for the journey out my rural road. The rain storm over the last weekend had done a fair amount of damage to it and it was not driveable for a semi with 53ft trailer. Doing that adds about $20 on my total costs. I was in and out of the FedEx facility in under ½ hour and back home by 10AM. Not bad.

The panels arrived undamaged as far as I can see. Certainly a lot of thought went into how they were packaged before shipping. I do not expect to be using them till Spring so if there is hidden damage I guess it is on me at this point since I am leaving them on the pallet. I probably will need to get my neighbor to help me handle them when that time comes around.

As experiences go I am well pleased with the entire event. Good job to Signature Solar!
I just bought 10 of the same panels as well. Shipping was $200 to Georgia but tax free. I think this is a great deal for 375W Bifacial Brand new panels
 
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What wonderful feedback! Thank you so much! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any support when you're getting set up!
 
I came up with a quick method of bracing the panels allowing for removal from pallet and packaging. I thought I would share. it takes a couple of 2X4 cut 48" and a top piece with a couple of shorter blocks as seen in the images below. I used wood screws with drill driver to attach everything. I can now cut the banding and not worry about the stack falling over. I can also move the blocks inwards if I do not use all the panels.
ETA: picture of exposed panels. BTW I decide to add a couple more blocks to the top as cross braces for some added strength against racking. Probably not needed if the panels were be used today but I will not be mounting them for some time and want some extra insurance.
 

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Signature Solar Rocks. Every time I call someone picks up. I ask my question and they get answered and if they don't know the answer they find out for me.
 

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