What WHOLESALE SOLAR does

Unbound Solar, formerly operating as Wholesale Solar, is a U.S. direct-to-consumer distributor of DIY solar equipment and system design services headquartered in Fullerton, California. Founded in 2005 and operating as part of the Gigawatt Inc. ("A Gigawatt Company") family of companies, the business supplies complete solar kits across three categories — grid-tie, off-grid, and commercial — alongside individual components including solar panels, battery storage, inverters/electrical hardware, and racking/mounts. Its stated value proposition centers on enabling self-installation at approximately one-third the cost of professional installation, supported by expert system design, permitting and plan-set services (with a claimed 95% first-try permit approval rate), and lifetime technical support.

The technology stack is conventional e-commerce plus domain-specific tooling rather than proprietary software IP. Differentiating tools include a Solar Estimator, Off-Grid Calculator, Battery Bank Sizing tool, US Sun Hours Map, and a California Solar Mandate Calculator — all deterministic calculators/web tools that reduce customer purchase friction. The company ships nationwide across the U.S. and supports transactions through its own e-commerce storefront (unboundsolar.com) as well as phone-based inside sales operating 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST. Two B2B channels supplement the core consumer motion: a Builder Program for home builders integrating solar into new construction, and an Installer Program for professional solar contractors sourcing equipment and design support.

Revenue mechanics are primarily one-time equipment sales (panels, batteries, inverters, racking, complete kits) with secondary revenue from professional design, permitting, and plan-set services, plus an affiliate/referral program. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company claims 20,000+ successfully installed systems, 20 years in operation, a 4.7/5.0 Google rating across 570 reviews, and media features in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CBS, and NBC. No funding rounds, revenue figures, headcount, or ownership structure beyond the Gigawatt affiliation are disclosed in available sources.

Name

WHOLESALE SOLAR

Legal name

Unbound Solar

Website

https://wholesalesolar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Unbound Solar is a U.S. e-commerce distributor selling DIY grid-tie, off-grid, and commercial solar kits and components directly to homeowners, supported by expert system design, permitting services, and lifetime technical support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Energy Equipment and Systems

NAICS

Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers (444)

SIC

Wholesale-Electrical Apparatus & Equipment, Wiring Supplies (5063), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Distribution & Wholesale Supply (Channel, Procurement, Logistics) (EUAMABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts) (EUAMABAF), Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO), Solar Inverters, Power Electronics & MLPE (String/Central Inverters, Optimizers, Microinverters) (EUAMABAE)

Keywords

• Solar panel systems
• Off-grid solar kits
• Solar equipment retailer
• DIY solar installation
• Solar battery storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Solar Equipment Sales: Sale of complete solar systems (grid-tie, off-grid, commercial), solar panels, batteries, inverters, electrical components, and racking/mounting hardware through e-commerce platform
2. Professional Services: Custom system design consulting, permitting services, and plan set preparation
3. Referral Program: Customer referral program generating additional revenue through word-of-mouth customer acquisition

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wholesale Solar, operating as Unbound Solar, sells DIY-friendly complete solar systems and individual components (panels, batteries, inverters, racking) for grid-tie, off-grid, and commercial applications through an e-commerce storefront with U.S. nationwide shipping. The company pairs professional-grade equipment with expert system design, online calculators, and permitting/plan-set services so homeowners can self-install solar at roughly one-third the cost of hiring a contractor.

Product overview

Unbound Solar, a Gigawatt Company, offers a comprehensive portfolio of solar energy products and services focused on self-install solar systems for homeowners. The core offering consists of complete solar system kits across three categories: Grid-Tie Systems (utility-connected), Off-Grid Systems (battery-backed standalone), and Commercial Systems (large-scale). These systems are supported by individual component products including Solar Panels, Battery Storage, Inverters & Electrical equipment, and Racking & Mounts. The company differentiates through a suite of complementary tools (Solar Estimator, Off Grid Calculator, Battery Bank Sizing, US Sun Hours Map, California Solar Mandate Calculator) and professional services (Permitting & Plan Sets, Consulting & System Design) that enable customers to design, purchase, and install solar systems themselves with expert support throughout the process.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• A Gigawatt Company: Parent company brand identity under which Unbound Solar operates

Products and services

• Grid-Tie Systems Complete solar panel systems designed for connection to the utility grid, allowing homeowners to generate electricity and potentially sell excess power back to the utility company. For self-install residential customers.
• Off-Grid Systems Standalone solar power systems independent from the utility grid, designed for remote locations or energy independence, typically including battery storage for nighttime and outage use. For self-install residential customers.
• Commercial Systems Large-scale solar panel systems designed for commercial buildings, businesses, and industrial applications with higher energy output requirements. For commercial property owners and operators.
• Solar Panels Individual solar photovoltaic panels for generating electricity from sunlight, available as part of complete systems or sold separately. For homeowners and installers.
• Battery Storage Battery systems for storing solar energy for backup power or off-grid use, enabling energy availability during nighttime or grid outages. For self-install residential customers and off-grid system owners.
• Inverters and Electrical Components Inverters and electrical components that convert DC power from solar panels to AC power for home use and interface with the electrical grid. For system builders and self-installers.
• Racking and Mounts Mounting hardware and racking systems for securely installing solar panels on rooftops or ground locations. For self-installers and professional installers.
• Permitting and Plan Sets Service Permit documentation services including plan preparation and submission support to help homeowners navigate local solar installation permitting requirements. Includes interconnection guidance.
• Consulting and System Design Expert consultation and custom system design services where solar professionals design tailored solar solutions optimized for customer savings and energy independence. For DIY solar customers seeking a self-install plan.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% first-try permit approval rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• A Gigawatt CompanyminorOthersParent company affiliation. Unbound Solar operates as part of the Gigawatt Inc. family of companies, providing access to corporate resources and related solar businesses.

Scale indicators5 records

Emerging players

• EnergySage: Online solar marketplace that aggregates homeowner demand and routes it to vetted installers and, increasingly, equipment vendors. Comparable customer base (residential solar shoppers) and content/SEO-driven funnel, but monetizes via lead-gen and shopping rather than direct equipment fulfillment.
• Pick My Solar: Online solar marketplace focused on simplifying residential solar shopping by aggregating installer quotes and equipment options. Comparable on homeowner customer acquisition and content-led funnels, but does not perform direct equipment sales to DIY customers.

Direct peers

• Renvu: Online solar equipment marketplace distributing panels, inverters, racking, and EV chargers to installers and DIY buyers. Comparable in product breadth, but Renvu is more wholesale-skewed while Unbound is more retail/DIY-skewed.
• SunWatts: Online retailer of DIY solar panels, off-grid kits, and balance-of-system components targeting homeowners and small installers. Directly comparable on residential off-grid/grid-tie kits and component-level fulfillment model.
• Renogy: Vertically-integrated manufacturer and retailer of off-grid solar kits, panels, inverters, and lithium batteries sold direct-to-consumer online. Highly comparable on off-grid DIY kits and battery-backed systems, though Renogy also sells through Amazon and big-box channels.
• CivicSolar: Wholesale distributor of solar PV equipment (modules, inverters, racking) serving commercial installers and EPCs. Operates in the same distribution channel as Unbound but with a stronger commercial/installer focus rather than DIY homeowners.
• GoGreenSolar.com: Direct e-commerce competitor that sells DIY solar kits, panels, inverters, and racking to homeowners and small installers across the U.S. with similar nationwide shipping and design support. Closely overlaps with Unbound Solar on product mix, customer base, and self-serve GTM.
• altE Store (Alternative Energy Store): Long-standing online solar and renewable energy retailer selling panels, inverters, batteries, and racking with an "education-first" content model similar to Unbound. Targets DIY homeowners and off-grid enthusiasts with a comparable catalog and customer support philosophy.

Broad incumbents

• Krannich Solar: Global wholesale distributor of solar PV equipment serving installers and EPCs across multiple continents. Overlaps with Unbound on the wholesale distribution of panels, inverters, and BOS, but operates at significantly larger scale and a fully installer channel focus.
• CED Greentech ( Consolidated Electrical Distributor - Greentech): Large U.S. electrical distributor's solar division, distributing PV equipment to professional installers and contractors at scale. Broader portfolio (full electrical supply plus solar) and much larger distributor footprint than Unbound's direct-to-consumer operation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/unboundsolar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unboundsolar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WHOLESALE SOLAR