As an industry first, Sunhub’s Solar Trader Platform makes it faster and easier for residential, commercial and utility solar installers, EPCs and other buyers to negotiate better pricing on solar panels, inverters and batteries. Buyers enjoy easy quoting, bidding and buying all in one platform, available inventory of new and used products with real-time pricing, and shopping and purchasing by the Watt with optional partial ordering. Meanwhile, suppliers like manufacturers and distributors are able to offload inventory and reduce time spent quoting and generating contracts.

But the benefits don’t stop there! Sunhub provides additional services and support to help get more deals done. Here are four ways Sunhub’s Solar Trader Platform and team bring technology and human resources together to navigate customers through better solar procurement.

1. Assisting with logistics and warehousing

Sometimes a lack of available product storage space or delivery issues can halt a deal. If needed, Sunhub can help fill in gaps with its in-house logistics and warehousing services.

While a separate contract between the buyer and Sunhub was previously required to capture this add-on service, logistics and warehousing are now listed under a dropdown menu of other terms (incoterms, pricing, payment, etc.) within the platform. This helps simplify negotiations and gives the buyer the opportunity to request these services outright, more clearly communicating their needs and giving the seller the opportunity to fulfill them.

2. Helping buyers find what they need

Sunhub’s Solar Trader Platform is meant to enable buyers to find the solar equipment they need without having to pick up the phone. The platform provides clear visibility into inventory and pricing, but developers are always looking for ways to improve user experience.

For example, sometimes shoppers may stumble a bit in their selections. It can be confusing to understand the nuances between different brands or similar products. To bring more clarity to buyers, Sunhub has added a new comparison feature, which allows making a quick assessment of two products side by side. To do so, simply select two products from the trader listings and hit the “Compare” button.



Then, select “Highlight Differences” to compare common characteristics. Specification documentation is also available for all products for an even deeper dive. 

Also, with some customers expressing the want to view top-tier products, and others seeking seller refurbished options to save costs, Sunhub responded by adding more filters to allow even more search refinement.

These are just some of the ways Sunhub is working to continually automate the solar procurement process. However, our knowledgeable team is always just a phone call away for customers looking for additional guidance in their purchasing journey.

3. Connecting buyers with sellers

Unlike, some other e-commerce platforms that simply publish a price catalog and ship products, Sunhub’s Solar Trader actually allows buyers and sellers to talk to each other. This direct communication between solar contractors and manufacturers was previously unheard of in the industry as buyers often had to work through third parties to get quotes. However, our intelligence-based tool connects solar component buyers and suppliers, allowing them to customize their needs, negotiate and close better deals that work in both their favor. Solar installers and EPCs can even plan for future projects by securing upcoming inventory from manufacturers, which also helps lower supplier risk in offloading products. Really, anything you can discuss over the phone, you can do more efficiently on the Sunhub online platform.

We’re always running deals, and often have inventory you can’t get anywhere else. Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to learn about new products and specials from a variety of manufacturers every week!

Don’t forget that our sales team keeps in touch with our vendor partners and is always available if you’re looking for help. At Sunhub we’re all about giving you options. Whether you’re looking through our listings or working with our team, we can connect you with sellers who can fit your needs.

4. Consulting on projects

We understand that especially large projects can make up a significant portion of your annual business and require extra attention. Sunhub’s highly technical procurement team can help you select equipment, broker deals, coordinate between vendors and schedule deliveries so that you have what you need to complete your project on time. 

Utility-scale projects can hold a lot of risk. Our team works to help developers and EPCs assess and mitigate that risk. For example, Sunhub can prepare backup inventory in the case of a delayed truck or shipment held up at customs. This allows installers to carry on working without disruption. In this way, Sunhub provides peace of mind for clients who can maintain cost-effective projects with lower risk.

These examples demonstrate how Sunhub’s Solar Trader Platform serves as a tool to make shopping for components as efficient as possible by giving buyers available inventory and pricing information until they’re ready to talk with a human. If customers don’t see what they want on our online platform, our procurement arm comes into play. The two sides work together to fulfill any client needs. Even with the convenience of an online tool, our team is always here to help you find what you’re looking for.

You can start exploring new features on Sunhub’s Solar Trader listings today.