US startup aims to drive solar supply chain management
A group of seasoned wind and solar industry executives have launched a startup offering solar supply chain management outsourcing services and products previously available only to large organizations. This includes low-cost equipment pricing on modules, inverters and racking.
Strategic Solar Sourcing says it is the first to offer small and medium-sized solar businesses such supply chain management outsourcing services. These cover the entire solar supply chain lifecycle including equipment requirements and specification management, strategic sourcing, supplier management, sourcing support, operational purchasing, procurement administration and account payable administration. The company has already partnered with top brands to guarantee Tier 1 modules, inverters both string and micro and all types of solar racking.
“After more than 30 years of collective experience in both wind and solar energy, ranging from residential solar installations to massive utility-scale wind and solar projects, our team recognized that small and medium-sized solar businesses are at a real disadvantage to effectively compete in this area,” said John Billingsley, Chairman and CEO of Strategic Solar Sourcing. “Our focus will be to give our customers access to a level of buying power and expertise that have been out of reach until now – driving down costs and making them more competitive and successful.”
The startup is aiming at provide enterprise-quality, supply chain services and products for residential and solar installers, developers, EPCs, and other solar professionals with direct-to-manufacturer pricing without the need for large purchases.
“To be competitive in today’s solar market, solar professionals need to have quality, financeable, product available when they need it, where they need it, and at the best price,” said Joseph Kiwak, President of Strategic Solar Sourcing.
“The only way to make that happen is with an experienced solar supply chain team on staff,” he said. “Since most small and medium-sized solar businesses are unable to acquire or afford the talent needed to deliver this level of service within their own company, they consequently struggle to compete with the larger solar firms. Our mission is to fill this void and provide our clients with the services, products and buying power necessary to compete in the expanding solar industry with reduced costs and increased profits.”
The company is headed by the management team that built Tri Global Energy, one of America’s top five wind project developers, and Sunfinity Renewable Energy, an EPC serving multiple states in residential, C&I and utility scale solar.
“Having the same level of supply chain visibility, meeting customer demand, and securing inventory supply at the lowest price has always been tough for the smaller company,” said Keith Bluford, Senior Vice President responsible for business development and sales. “We solve that problem by handling all of the many nuances of effective, supply chain management including strategic sourcing, technology research, negotiation and contractual management with the manufacturers, warehousing and logistics. And most importantly, our services and direct-to-manufacturer pricing have significant impact on our clients’ bottom line.”
www.strategicsolarsourcing.com