Updated on 20/4/2016
Grape Solar is an American company, incorporated in the States of Delaware, Oregon in 2009. The company is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, Grape Solar sells a wide variety of solar panels mainly through the e-commerce channel for residential, commercial and utility segments. Besides Grape Solar Modules, the company also provides solar inverters and solar racking systems.
Grape Solar was earlier known as Centron Solar, however, it was forced to change its name after a German solar company Centrosolar won a lawsuit over name infringement. Grape Solar then changed its name to that of a fruit inspired by the Apple success.
The management of Grape Solar has very close relationships with Chinese solar panel manufacturers. Ocean Yuan the CEO was in discussions with several unidentified Chinese manufacturers about expanding his operations to include assembly of the South Korea and Taiwan-made solar modules. Born in China, Yuan is a naturalized U.S. citizen educated in Eugene at the University of Oregon. He’s had experience running an electronics contract manufacturing plant in China, and led the U.S. business of Chinese solar manufacturer Solarfun, before launching Grape Solar in 2009.
Grape is a major importer of panels that are assembled into kits by the company’s 10-person staff in Eugene. The company then sells them directly to consumers through retail partnerships with major U.S. retailers Costco Corp., Home Depot and Amazon.com Inc.
Grape Solar sells directly to thousands of installers and consumers across North America in the USA and Canada. Grape Solar also sells through various well known, online channels and large warehouse retailers. The company provides opportunities to small to medium-sized solar installers – on demand, supply of solar modules.
Grape Solar outsources its manufacturing process. It uses contract manufacturing in which solar panels are made in over 30 different factories worldwide. However, the company reserves its rights to design the specifications and set the quality standards for its panels.
Grape Solar GS-400-KIT 400-Watt Off-Grid Solar Panel Kit
i) 10 years product materials and workmanship
ii) 10 years output power assurance: no less than 90% and 25 years output power assurance: no less than 80%
The warranties are insured and backed by their contract manufacturers.
Grape Solar has a variety of Solar Modules to offer. They can be categorized into Monocrystalline & Polycrystalline Solar Panels.
Read more about Solar Panel Reviews of different brands.
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