How to buy solar panels and batteries from China
The eight steps we follow on every order, after 20 years buying in China.
Shortlist three to five suppliers
Filter the ranking by product and minimum score, then compare two to four side by side. Prefer factories over trading companies unless you need a mixed container.
Ask the same questions to each
Send one request with your quantity, product (power, technology, size), delivery port, date and Incoterm. Identical questions make the answers comparable.
Check the certificates
Panels: IEC 61215 and IEC 61730, plus your own country’s mark (CE, UL, INMETRO, SNI). Batteries: UN38.3 for shipping, IEC 62619 for safety, and an MSDS. Check each certificate number with the lab that issued it.
Read the warranty
Product warranty (often 12 to 25 years for panels) and power warranty (often 30 years, down to about 87–89% of nameplate). Ask who handles claims in your country, and how fast.
Order a sample or a small first order
A sample or a pallet shows packing, labels and real power before you commit a container.
Agree price, Incoterm and payment
FOB China is the usual base; CIF or DDP add freight and insurance. A common split is 30% deposit and 70% before shipment. Avoid paying 100% up front to a new supplier.
Inspect before shipping
A third-party pre-shipment inspection with EL (electroluminescence) testing of a sample of panels costs little compared with a bad container.
Plan import duties and documents
Check duties and any anti-dumping rules for Chinese modules in your country. You will need the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin.
Words you may not know are explained in the glossary.