Demand for solar panels continues to increase, with government incentives in place to spur investment and adoption, part of the broader push toward renewable energy. With this kind of market trajectory, and new companies entering a hot industry, how they handle the shipping of solar panels can spell the difference between success and failure.
Any business always concerns itself with product damage in transit. But given the high value, fragility, and sensitivity of the equipment involved here, shipping solar panels requires a higher degree of sophistication and specialized logistics expertise.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects solar power generation will grow 75% between 2023 and 2025, from 163 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) to 286 billion kWh. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) said the 11.8 gigawatts (GW) of capacity added in Q1 was the most ever for the period, adding solar accounted for 75% of all new electricity-generating capacity gained.
U.S. efforts to protect domestic solar panel manufacturers against cheap imports flooding in from China, including the end of a tariff exemption for suppliers from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam on June 1, are not expected to dampen demand.
Regardless of which way the trade winds blow, the need for efficient solar panel logistics, and proper handling and transportation of solar components and equipment, will only increase. That’s why partnering with a logistics brokerage specializing in solar transportation and warehousing can help you manage the complexity and reduce anxiety.
Overcoming the Challenges of Shipping Solar Panels
Shipping solar panels from manufacturers to interim processing locations, distributors, or installation sites is challenging due to their delicate nature. Solar panels and components require careful handling to avoid damage, such as microcracks that impact performance. Industry statistics show one in five shipments contains broken solar panels, which becomes expensive quickly.
Other solar power components, including cells, wafers, polysilicon, inverters, racking, monitoring systems, and batteries, also have specific requirements for transport preparation, packaging, and handling.
Solar logistics professionals possess the specific skills and experience needed to protect panels and related equipment from damage in transit. This includes managing everything from proper packaging and loading, such as the direction they face — blocking and bracing, to the use of special inserts and corner protectors.
How a Brokerage Ensures Success for Shipping Solar Panels
Logistics brokerages play a crucial role in ensuring the safe, efficient transportation of solar panels and equipment. By leveraging their expertise in this specialized industry, brokerages help prevent equipment damage and utilize efficient processes to keep transportation costs down.
Ensure Safe Handling
A broker experienced in solar panel logistics only works with handpicked, vetted carriers whose staff are thoroughly trained in proper handling and loading techniques to minimize the risk of breakage, especially with larger, heavier panels.
A standard 53-foot trailer can hold 26 pallets in a full truckload (TL), each holding about 30 solar panels, for a capacity of 780 panels per load. Shipping TL is advantageous as it minimizes handling and lessens the chances of damage. Using less-than-truckload (LTL), while cheaper, is not the best option for solar. Pallets are frequently taken in and out of the trailer in transit, creating more opportunities for mishandling and damage.
Optimized Packaging
Panels are loaded vertically and in landscape orientation onto pallets, evenly distributing the weight to minimize pressure and reduce the risk of cracks or breaks. Each panel gets corner protectors, foam padding, and cardboard separators placed between panels.
Once loaded onto a pallet, the panels are secured with banding straps to ensure stability during transportation. There are also specialized pallets designed specifically for photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which support them in the upright position. A logistics brokerage can provide expert recommendations on the type of packaging materials that meet your specific needs and requirements.
Advanced Tracking and Monitoring
Real-time tracking and monitoring provide greater visibility when shipping solar panels. This technology enables customers to track their shipments throughout the entire journey, ensuring transparency and accountability. It also helps identify and address any issues that arise during transit, reducing the risk of delays and damage.
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
A logistics broker with experience in solar equipment transportation coordinates closely with all its carrier partners to ensure that all shipments comply with relevant regulations. This includes:
- Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines on the size, weight, and securing methods for loads;
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety standards on driver hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and load securing;
- Adherence to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) for proper packaging, labeling, and documentation of lithium-ion batteries.
The FMCSA also has load securement rules designed to prevent solar panels from shifting or falling during transit.
Coordinated Warehouse Storage
Brokerages assist in managing and coordinating warehouse storage to protect solar panels from damage and ensure safe conditions. They work closely with a network of warehousing providers to guarantee strict adherence to proper storage practices, including climate control, stacking, and security measures.
An Experienced Hand for a Specialized Load
Efficient, safe transportation of solar panels is crucial for the growing renewable energy sector. Partnering with a specialized logistics brokerage ensures proper handling, optimized packaging, real-time tracking, regulatory compliance, and secure storage. Their expertise, plus carrier and warehousing network, helps you reduce costs while preventing damage and minimizing delays.
Wicker Park Logistics, a woman-owned logistics company and WBENC-certified business, brings a consultative, hands-on approach to every customer engagement. Backed by the latest technology and decades of industry experience, Wicker Park manages energy sector shipments from Asia and across North America.
You can trust your solar panel shipments to a company known for handling hazardous and federally regulated loads. Whether transporting a few panels to a home or an entire truckload cross-country to a distributor, Wicker Park has you covered. With a top-flight carrier and warehousing network, Wicker Park provides safe, efficient solar panel transportation. Get in touch today for a quick quote.
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