How Do Solar Panels Ship by Freight, and What Do You Have to Do When the Truck Arrives?
Summary
On a pallet, by freight truck, to the curb or driveway, and the driver's responsibility ends there. Both retailers whose terms we read, Signature Solar and SanTan Solar, will not ship small counts by pallet (no pallets under 10 panels at Signature; 10 per order at SanTan), charge or waive freight by order size ($50 residential plus $50 liftgate at SanTan; free on qualifying orders of $4,000 or more at Signature), and put the burden of inspection on you: damage or shortages must be written on the delivery receipt before you sign, or the freight claim can be refused. Both tell buyers to order more panels than the design needs because some glass breaks in transit.
What arrives and how
| Signature Solar | SanTan Solar (mostly used panels) | |
|---|---|---|
| How panels ship | pallet freight, curbside; unloaded by liftgate, typically onto the driveway | panels over 100 W ship by freight |
| Minimum to ship | no pallets for fewer than 10 panels | 10 panels per shipped order; fewer only by local pickup |
| Charges | free shipping on qualifying orders of $4,000 or more | $50 for residential delivery, $50 more for a liftgate |
A liftgate lowers the pallet to the ground; without one, you need a way to unload a pallet from a truck bed. Residential delivery means a smaller truck and a scheduled window, which is what the $50 covers at SanTan.
The five minutes that decide a claim
- Before signing, count the panels against the packing list and look at every exposed edge and face.
- Write any damage or shortage on the driver's copy of the delivery receipt. Signature Solar states in capitals that a claim may be denied by the freight company if damage is not noted, and gives 48 hours.
- Photograph the pallet as it stands, then each damaged panel.
- Report concealed damage, found after unpacking, within the window: Signature's FAQ says 24 hours while its shipping page says 3 days for emailed photos, so use the shorter one. SanTan gives 3 days, and says it sends no replacements for panels damaged in shipping.
Returns, if the panels are simply wrong
Signature handles returns case by case with a restocking fee of up to 40%. SanTan accepts returns within 30 days if the panels are undamaged and unmodified, with a 30% restocking fee possible. Freight back is yours in either case.
Order one or two more than the design
Both retailers say so. A broken panel discovered a week later, after the claim window, is a panel you buy again at full freight, and a short-shipped pallet is a project delayed by weeks. Our guide on buying panels online in bulk covers the rest of the terms; this one is the delivery day.
Sources
- Signature Solar — Shipping & Returns
- Signature Solar — FAQ
- SanTan Solar — Terms and Conditions
- SanTan Solar — Frequently Asked Questions
We have not tested these products. Specs, prices, stock and terms are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.