Word on the Street: Solar panel showroom opened Monday in Clovis

Bland Solar & Air opened a solar showroom in Clovis on Aug. 3 in the Willow Station Shopping Center, next to Trader Joe’s.

“We believe that our clients need to see, feel and touch products they are interested in purchasing,” said Glenn Bland, owner of Bland Solar & Air. “They have an opportunity to see various roof tops with solar panels installed and how solar is produced.”

People can come in and learn about solar panels from iPad kiosks or by looking at panels on display, said Ty Simpson, director of sales. The showroom also goes through the panel installation process, such as how brackets are mounted in the roof, he added.

Sales representatives are on hand to answer any questions as visitors wander at their own pace, and can provide on-site quotes if needed, Simpson said.

“You can touch the panel, be here and see everything and not just have to look at your neighbor’s roof to understand it,” he said.

The 1,000-square-foot showroom in Clovis is Bland Solar & Air’s third. The first was opened in Bakersfield and the second was opened in Templeton in San Luis Obispo County, Simpson said.

The concept of a solar showroom was born out of a desire to educate people on solar panels without intruding into their lives, he said.

“We wanted to provide an atmosphere where people can come in and learn about solar on their time,” he said. “And not us going to their home and knocking on their door…or calling and telemarketing at night on our time.”

The showroom is open seven days a week. Hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This story was originally published August 7, 2015 at 2:25 PM with the headline "Word on the Street: Solar panel showroom opened Monday in Clovis."