®Reach buyers a direct sales team can't cover
Marketplace access opens smaller installers and regional EPCs a manufacturer's sales team would never cost-effectively reach one account at a time.
Sunhub for your business
Solar solutions for manufacturers
Reach US installer and EPC demand without a domestic sales team, clear B-grade stock, and run private off-market deals.
Sunhub for manufacturers
Without a direct channel you depend on distributors who don't know your brand, watch each layer skim its cut of your margin, and never see who is actually buying downstream. Connected Supply Chain Management Services and the Fulfillment Center give you a direct line to verified buyers, protect the margin between you and them, and show you the demand as it happens.
What selling on Sunhub unlocks
Clear inventory that would otherwise sit as a write-down
B-grade and end-of-life stock reaches real demand instead of becoming a balance-sheet liability.
See demand before a distributor's reporting catches up
Real-time data by watt class and region surfaces where product is moving now, not last quarter.
Sell solar equipment direct to verified buyers
Sell solar equipment direct to verified buyers, opening a channel a manufacturer's existing distribution network doesn't cost-effectively cover.
Selling direct to verified buyers
Verified buyers, not anonymous traffic
Installers, EPCs and distributors browsing the marketplace clear the same business verification every buyer on Sunhub goes through, so direct sales aren't a trust gamble.
Reach beyond existing distribution
Direct listing opens smaller installers and regional buyers a manufacturer's distributor network doesn't cost-effectively serve, without requiring a new sales hire for every underserved region.
Coexists with channel controls
Direct-to-buyer listing pairs with channel conflict management, so this reach doesn't have to come at the expense of existing distributor agreements.
A new channel without new overhead
Open a new channel without a new sales team
Direct listing reaches buyers a manufacturer's current distribution can't cost-effectively cover.
Sell direct without abandoning existing partners
Channel controls keep direct sales from undercutting established distributor relationships.
Clear discontinued and B-grade solar stock
Clear discontinued and B-grade solar stock to a real buyer pool instead of a write-down.
How B-grade stock clears here
Reach buyers actually looking for this category
B-grade and discontinued stock lists to buyers specifically sourcing that category, rather than trying to move it through a standard sales channel that isn't built for it.
Bulk lot clearing for fast recovery
Large lots move as a single transaction where speed of recovery matters more than maximizing per-unit price.
Separated from standard-grade brand presence
Clearing listings operate distinctly from standard-grade product presence, protecting brand positioning for a manufacturer's current product line.
Recovered value, protected brand positioning
Recover value instead of writing it down
A real buyer pool for B-grade and discontinued stock beats an internal write-off.
Keep brand positioning clean
Clearing activity stays separate from how standard-grade product presents to the market.
Private negotiated sales rooms for MW deals
Off-market deal rooms for MW-scale transactions that a manufacturer wants to keep outside the public marketplace listing.
How private deal rooms work
Deals kept off the public listing
Negotiations happen in a private room visible only to the specific counterparty invited in, rather than a public marketplace listing anyone can see pricing on.
Built for MW-scale complexity
Room structure accommodates the multi-round negotiation, technical documentation and financing conversation a large transaction actually requires, not a simplified quote-and-accept flow.
Contract and escrow support included
The same contract generation and escrow tools available on the public marketplace apply inside a private room, so confidentiality doesn't come at the cost of deal infrastructure.
Large deals kept off public listings
Negotiate large deals without public pricing exposure
Private rooms keep sensitive terms visible only to the invited counterparty.
Get full deal infrastructure without going public
Contract and escrow tools apply the same way they would on a public listing.
Sell on Sunhub without breaking distributor deals
Sell on Sunhub without breaking existing distributor agreements, with controls that keep marketplace activity from undercutting an established channel.
How channel controls protect your distributors
Pricing controls that respect existing agreements
Minimum pricing and territory restrictions can apply to marketplace listings, keeping direct sales from undercutting the terms already in place with existing distributors.
Buyer access managed by category
Listings can restrict which buyer types see certain pricing or products, separating channels that would otherwise compete for the same account.
Coordination, not just a policy document
Channel rules get built into how listings actually operate, rather than a policy that depends on manual enforcement after a conflict already happened.
Selling direct without channel conflict
Add a direct channel without breaking existing ones
Pricing and access controls keep new marketplace activity from undercutting established distributor relationships.
Enforce channel rules structurally
Controls built into listings prevent conflict rather than requiring manual policing after the fact.
See real-time solar demand by watt class and region
Demand visibility by watt class and region, showing where a manufacturer's product is actually pulling interest before a distributor's reporting catches up.
What the demand data shows
Demand visible before it shows up in distributor reports
Marketplace search and quote activity surfaces demand signals in something closer to real time, well ahead of the lag in standard distributor sales reporting.
Broken down by watt class and region
Demand data segments by product wattage and geography together, showing exactly where interest is concentrated rather than a single aggregate number.
Useful for production planning, not just sales
Early demand signals can inform production planning decisions, not just where to focus sales attention this quarter.
Acting on demand ahead of reports
Act on demand before competitors see it in lagging reports
Near-real-time visibility gives a head start over waiting for quarterly distributor data.
Plan production against actual regional and wattage demand
Segmented data supports production and inventory decisions beyond sales targeting alone, closing the gap between what the factory builds and what the market is actually asking for.
Co-marketing and brand visibility for solar makers
Brand visibility to buyers actively sourcing equipment, without the cost of building an independent marketing function targeting the same audience.
How brand visibility works here
Visibility to an audience already sourcing
Brand placement reaches buyers actively searching the marketplace for equipment, a more qualified audience than cold outreach or general advertising.
Co-marketing support, not just a listing
Featured placement and content support extend brand reach beyond a passive product listing, without the cost of an independent campaign built from scratch.
Cost-efficient relative to building it independently
Reaching this specific buyer audience through existing marketplace traffic costs less than a manufacturer standing up its own comparable reach.
Qualified reach without a separate campaign
Reach a qualified audience without a separate campaign
Visibility runs through existing marketplace traffic already searching for solar equipment.
Get marketing support without the independent cost
Co-marketing extends reach beyond a listing without a standalone marketing build-out.
Guides for your next decision
Your questions, answered.
Can a manufacturer sell on Sunhub without conflicting with existing distributor relationships?
Yes. Sunhub includes channel conflict management and private negotiated sales rooms, so a manufacturer can reach buyers, including demand a direct sales team cannot cover, without undercutting existing distributor relationships. Off-market and negotiated deals stay separate from public listings when that separation matters.
Does the marketplace help clear B-grade or end-of-life inventory specifically?
Yes. Clearing B-grade and end-of-life stock is a specific use case, letting a manufacturer move inventory that would otherwise sit as a write-down. The marketplace reaches installer and EPC buyers who have use for discounted or discontinued equipment, turning dead stock into recovered value.
What demand data does a manufacturer get access to?
Manufacturers get a real-time demand pulse showing where US installer and EPC interest is concentrated by segment and region. That signal helps time production, pricing, and inventory decisions against actual buyer activity rather than forecasts, and it reaches demand a direct sales team could not otherwise cover.
Are buyers on the marketplace verified before they can place an order?
Yes, buyers are verified rather than anonymous traffic, so manufacturers are selling into confirmed trade accounts. Verification is what makes a direct channel workable, since it screens who can transact before an order is placed. That gives a manufacturer confidence about who is on the other side of the sale.
Does listing directly compete with a manufacturer's existing distributor network?
It is meant to reach buyers the existing distribution network does not cost-effectively cover, opening a new channel rather than cannibalizing established partners. Because it coexists with channel controls, a manufacturer can set terms that protect distributor relationships. The aim is selling direct without abandoning existing partners.
More questions about these services
What product categories can be listed for direct sale?
Manufacturers can list across the core solar equipment categories the marketplace serves, including modules, inverters, racking, and balance-of-system components. The channel is built to open direct sales without standing up a new sales team. Specific listing eligibility depends on the category and a manufacturer's own channel controls.
What's the difference between B-grade and standard-grade solar equipment?
Standard-grade equipment is A-grade product sold at full spec with full warranty, while B-grade typically has cosmetic flaws, minor handling marks, or documentation issues that don't necessarily affect core function but exclude it from first-quality sale. B-grade may carry different or limited warranty terms, so buyers price it accordingly. Sunhub clears B-grade stock to a buyer pool that is specifically looking for it.
Does clearing inventory here affect brand reputation with existing buyers?
Clearing here is separated from your standard-grade brand presence, so discontinued and B-grade lots reach buyers looking for that category without undercutting your first-quality positioning. Keeping the two channels distinct is what protects brand perception with existing buyers. The aim is to recover value while keeping your primary brand positioning clean.
Can end-of-life stock be sold in bulk lots?
Yes, end-of-life and discontinued stock can be moved in bulk lots to a real buyer pool, which is usually the fastest way to recover value instead of taking a write-down. Bulk clearing reaches buyers actively looking for that category, so volume moves quickly. It keeps this activity separate from your standard-grade brand presence.
What makes a private sales room different from a standard marketplace listing?
A private sales room keeps a deal off the public listing, so pricing and terms are negotiated directly with a chosen buyer instead of being exposed to the whole marketplace. It is built for the complexity of MW-scale transactions rather than a catalog add-to-cart flow. Contract and escrow support are included in the room.
Are private deal rooms limited to MW-scale transactions?
Private rooms are designed for MW-scale complexity, where off-market negotiation and deal infrastructure matter most, and that is their primary use. Whether a smaller deal fits is best confirmed with Sunhub directly. The value scales with the size and sensitivity of the transaction.
Does a private room still include contract generation and escrow support?
Yes. A private room includes the full deal infrastructure, contract generation and escrow support, so a manufacturer gets the transactional backbone of the marketplace without publishing public pricing. That lets large deals close privately while still running on structured terms.
Can marketplace pricing be controlled to avoid undercutting existing distributors?
Yes. A manufacturer can set pricing controls, such as floors and category-level rules, so marketplace listings do not sit below established distributor pricing. The point is to add a direct channel without eroding the agreements already in place, enforced structurally through the platform rather than left to a policy memo that nobody polices.
Does channel management restrict which buyers can access a manufacturer's listings?
It can. Buyer access is managed by category, so a manufacturer can decide which buyer segments see or transact on given listings, keeping marketplace activity from colliding with a distributor's protected accounts or territories. That lets a direct channel coexist with existing agreements rather than competing against them for the same buyers.
How does a manufacturer coordinate marketplace activity with existing distributor agreements?
It works through both pricing controls and category-based buyer access, backed by active coordination rather than a static policy document. Pricing floors keep listings from undercutting distributor terms, access rules govern who can buy, and the arrangement is set up to mirror the manufacturer's existing channel commitments. The result is a direct channel that operates within the guardrails of the agreements already signed.
How current is demand data compared to standard distributor sales reporting?
Demand data reflects interest as it happens on the platform, so it surfaces before it works its way into distributor sales reports that lag by weeks or a quarter. That lead time lets a manufacturer see where product is pulling interest earlier than lagging channels reveal it. It's a forward view rather than a rearview report.
Can demand data be broken down by watt class and region simultaneously?
Yes, demand can be viewed by watt class and region at the same time, so you can see which wattages are pulling interest in which markets. That combined breakdown is more actionable than a single national or single-spec figure. It helps target both the product mix and the geography where it's moving.
Does demand visibility help forecast production planning?
Yes, seeing real demand by watt class and region supports production planning, not just sales, because it shows what to build and where it's wanted before lagging reports catch up. Manufacturers can align output to actual regional and wattage demand rather than trailing estimates. That earlier signal reduces the risk of building to stale forecasts.
What co-marketing support is available to manufacturers on the marketplace?
Manufacturers get more than a listing, including brand placement, featured products, and joint promotion to buyers already sourcing equipment on the platform. The support puts a maker's products in front of a qualified, in-market audience. It works as an extension of the marketplace rather than a separate campaign a manufacturer has to build and run.
Does brand visibility here reach buyers who aren't already searching for a specific brand?
Yes. Because buyers come to source a category, panels, inverters, or racking, rather than a single brand, visibility reaches purchasers who are comparing options and open to a new supplier. That exposes a maker to demand it would not capture by relying on existing brand recognition alone. It is qualified reach, since the audience is actively buying.
How does marketplace visibility compare in cost to running independent marketing?
Marketplace visibility is generally far more cost-efficient than building an independent marketing function, because the audience of active buyers is already assembled. A manufacturer avoids the cost of standing up campaigns, channels, and staff to reach the same purchasers. That lets a maker get in front of qualified demand without the overhead of doing it alone.
Find your next selling opportunity
Tell our team what you need, and explore the Sunhub services that fit your business.