Have you seen the price of plywood lately... ?" ... anything else we could do that would not exorbitantly increase shipping costs? I'd love to hear it. ... ".
Maybe a thin sheet of plywood on the wide sides, or some other economical sheet goods that might offer a bit of protection?
Hmm... Interesting.This is the recommended method per the manufacturers (standing panels vertically strapped to a pallet).
They are sent to us stacked vertically as complete pallets. We actually add all the extra stuff after we check the shipments to really make it known that it is fragile and can't have stuff stacked on top of it.Hmm... Interesting.
I am suspecting standing panels IS NOT the right way to doing it.
I had 24 panels from China all arrived undamaged; 2 panels per cardboard box, all flat on the pallet and everything strapped to the pallet. No wood reinforcement or whatever on the sides nor top.
First thing freight companies do is toss the cones or anything that says do not stack on. We have to photo each one of those pallets to prove to freight companies when there is damage. They also do not read what is printed on pallets like "fragile". Remember, the truck you load in is not the truck that makes the delivery to the customer. Depending how far the shipment is , it may be interlined in multiple stop terminals and trucks. Many people may load and unload that pallet at each terminal. Space cost money in a trailer. I have seen drivers break a pallet down and then re-stack it at the destination just to make it fit. It does not matter which freght company you choose, they are all the same. Put as much freight in a trailer as possible.They are sent to us stacked vertically as complete pallets. We actually add all the extra stuff after we check the shipments to really make it known that it is fragile and can't have stuff stacked on top of it.
Have you priced the cost to replace damaged panels!?Have you seen the price of plywood lately... ?
It's funny you ask - we've actually done the calculations and our current model allows us to keep our prices the lowest possible based on what we've seen.Have you priced the cost to replace damaged panels!?
Lumber is starting to come down as suppliers are nearing overstock and housing is flat.Have you seen the price of plywood lately... ?
I have purchased 28 panels total since February, 18 from A1 solar in 2 separate orders of 8 and then 10, they were shipped flat and no damage whatsoever. Ordered 10 from Signature Solar, they were shipped standing on side and 2 were shattered. A1 solar had very good plastic corner and side softeners between each panel and firm foam softeners between bottom panel and pallet. Signature Solar only had thin paper corners and did not even wrap the entire panels with shrink wrap- the mid-section was totally open and unprotected. A1 wrapped the entire stack before strapping it. IMO, Signature Solar is doing a poor job on packing and passing the buck by repeatedly stating it’s what the OEM recommended. Bottom line, my limited experience is that SIgnature Solar damage is far more likely than others. I did get a refund for the 2 and am satisfied but it won’t happen again. By the way, It was totally clear to me when I ordered that they would not replace 3 or less damaged panels.If you would have read this, we literally did refund his money. That's why he's mad. This is exactly what I'm talking about.
I posted pictures of our shipping method. This is the recommended method per the manufacturers (standing panels vertically strapped to a pallet). We also attach corner pieces to protect against bumps and have several large warning stickers and collapsible cones on all 4 sides. I don't know when you last ordered solar panels, but it's been a very bad year for LTL shipping lanes and it shows in the increased amount of damage we see. I posted pictures of our shipments - let me know what you would change specifically.
I had them flat. You had them flat. Sounds like FLAT is the way to go.I have purchased 28 panels total since February, 18 from A1 solar in 2 separate orders of 8 and then 10, they were shipped flat and no damage whatsoever. ...
Of course this is a complex world, but just from the various comments on this forum it would appear that shipping flat can be very successful. Of course damage is going to happen whatever you do. But it sure appears that its far more common with SS. Appears is not a scientific term though.I had them flat. You had them flat. Sounds like FLAT is the way to go.
SS should try them FLAT for a change before SS becomes a meme for "Shattered Solar"....
LG also use to ship them flat with Plastic corner spacers between each panel. The pallets where made of wood twice as thick as a normal pallet and all of the pallets are longer and wider than the panel. The whole thing had cardboard over it and then was banded down to the Pallet.I had them flat. You had them flat. Sounds like FLAT is the way to go.
SS should try them FLAT for a change before SS becomes a meme for "Shattered Solar"....
When I picked up my panels from a local guy a few months ago they came off a palette where there were stacked flat. Got to the bottom of the stack and the last three were smashed beyond recognition. Forklift guys forks weren't long enough and they went right through the bottom of the panels when taken off the truck. The variable is how many times the palette is moved from truck to truck along its journey along with the competence of the staff that's driving the forklift. Been shipping stuff all over the world for the last 25 years and I've seen it all. You can try your best to pack things like a tank but if the driver drops it off the back of the truck(happened more than once), all the crates in the world won't protect it any better than a cardboard box.I had them flat. You had them flat. Sounds like FLAT is the way to go.
SS should try them FLAT for a change before SS becomes a meme for "Shattered Solar"....
It is ridiculous that you should order extra panels to cover damage. It is not the buyer's responsibility to package products appropriately. It is not the buyer's responsibility to have the shipper properly handle the products. Pass the buck and blame the buyer? That's B.S.They always tell everyone to order extra panels for your build to cover this exact situation. It's unfortunate that your panel was broken but in these current times people should expect damaged panels due to negligent shippers. It's something that's out of every distributors control.
I have...$29 each for the thinnest plywood at Lowes. The only good news is the lumber futures have cratered once again, so MAYBE some lumber price reduction is foreseeable.Have you seen the price of plywood lately... ?
By this time next year I not only see lumber prices dropping to an all time low but also the real estate market bubble fully popped!I have...$29 each for the thinnest plywood at Lowes. The only good news is the lumber futures have cratered once again, so MAYBE some lumber price reduction is foreseeable.
Not in Texas, lumber is at all time high and houses and apartments cannot be built fast enough for the buyers. It is a crazy market right now.Lumber is starting to come down as suppliers are nearing overstock and housing is flat.