Time is money. These days, wholesale buyers who can efficiently obtain multiple quotes from qualified vendors for PV hardware that’s ready to ship gain a competitive edge. The ability to review multiple quotes in a timely manner also leads to the best options at the best prices.
This strategy is particularly necessary in a market landscape where geopolitical factors, such as tariffs and other import regulations, can greatly affect project budgets and timelines. Even when projects are cancelled due to unforeseen costs, sourced solar equipment becomes available for resale within the secondary market, which provides another opportunity for buyers to find top-quality products for good deals.
EnergyBin offers developers, EPCs, and installers an efficient way to connect to your pre-approved vendors to find what you need when you need it. In this article, we’ll show you how to set up your My Vendors list, search for products and send RFQs, and send your Bill of Materials (BOM) to your My Vendors list.
To build your My Vendors list on the EnergyBin platform, go to Manage on the top Menu bar, and then select My Vendors from the drop-down menu. From here, search for and add those companies that you do business with. Add as many vendors as you prefer. Keep in mind, only companies that are pre-qualified EnergyBin members can be added to this list.
There are two ways to send RFQs to your My Vendors list. The first way is to start with a product search. This approach is best utilized when you have a specific product you’re looking to buy. In the top Search bar, enter the item you’re looking for.
In this example, we searched for Longi solar panels. The search results show that one company from our My Vendors list has LR5-54HABB Black Bifacials. To request a quote, check the box on the left side of their listing. Then, select RFQ in the gray bar above.
Additionally, they may have recently received new inventory into stock that’s not yet listed on EnergyBin. Request a quote to determine whether they can help.
The second way to send RFQs to your My Vendors list is to go to Broadcast on the top Menu bar and select Send from the drop-down menu. This approach is best utilized when you have a Bill of Materials that you’re looking to source.
On the Send a Broadcast workflow, select RFQ and then select Full System for a specific project’s Bill of Materials.
Think of the Broadcast feature as the fastest way to get in touch with your vendors, which is especially convenient when you’re in a time crunch.
In the solar industry, relationship-building is critical to success. Having a curated list of qualified vendors with whom you’ve built trustworthy relationships helps your company to remain resilient in times of market uncertainty.
EnergyBin isn’t just a database that provides real-time insights on solar hardware and availability, it’s also a community of your industry peers. As a member, work to introduce yourself to other members, make connections, and build relationships just as you would at trade shows and industry events.
Over time, add qualified companies you’ve built relationships with to your My Vendors list. When it’s time to request quotes, you’ll be ready to receive replies that you can rely on to get projects done and within budget.