In today’s volatile and fast-paced industry, many solar companies are partnering with solar equipment brokers to oversee their buy-sell needs. Because brokers are well connected to the global secondary market, they are able to move new and used product quickly.
To answer this question, we spent some time with EnergyBin member, Sabena Suri, CEO of Golden Gate Solar Tech.
With more than 15 years’ experience in brokering, Sabena knows what it takes. She started her company in 2003 and is committed to building a sustainable future for our global community.
In Sabena’s mind, Golden Gate Solar Tech’s niche resides in operational excellence and product leadership, which has led to a business model rooted in multinational offices servicing emerging markets and developing nations around the world.
Working with each customer’s unique needs, Sabena’s team tailors the most efficient and economical procurement solutions. They take into consideration such factors as project location, terrain condition, land size, land price, governmental subsidies and power density.
Over the years, Sabena has partnered on residential, commercial and municipal projects. If you need modules, Golden Gate Solar Tech can help.
I am basically a teacher at heart. I have many years of teaching experience behind me. Maybe that’s where my patience comes from!
We have been in the solar industry for 15 years and hope to last another 15! We started with brokering solar raw material. When that market crashed in 2008, we moved to the equipment side.
The solar industry is amazing, and I have developed life-long relationships with both my clients and suppliers.
I got into brokering for the luxury of owning my own company. I like that I can make my own decisions and be responsible for the same, which is not always pretty!
That was a very important factor to help me decide to do this. I can be flexible with my time schedule and do stuff I enjoy, like Zumba 😊. Every day brings new challenges and situations.
My work gives me lots of opportunities to do my best to please my clients.
I work with many different kinds of companies, including installers, EPCs, and developers – really anyone and everyone who needs modules.
My customers are located all over the U.S. as well as international. There are no geographic barriers that prevent me from selling.
For me, the ideal customer is someone who’s looking for good deals and is willing to look at various options. In other words, it’s someone who is not stuck on a particular brand, unless of course it is necessary to do so.
Partnering with a broker can open up many opportunities that traditional vendors can’t provide. Because I work with a variety of manufacturers and suppliers, I can offer many different scenarios to my customers. They continually have something to pick from.
Brokers are always in the loop with liquidation deals, excess inventory, etc. that a traditional supplier has no access to.
Well, a solar panel manufacturer was going out of business, and they wanted to get rid of their last MW of panels.
At the same time, I had a customer looking to purchase that size lot. I was able to help the buyer get a good deal and also help the seller clear out his warehouse.
LinkedIn has been a good resource. As a brand-new member of EnergyBin, I’m hoping to connect with others on the network as well. Attending trade shows also helps.
The most important skill is that you have to be a “people” person. One comes across clients with different personalities all the time. It’s important to be patient and understanding.
Know that these clients are trusting you with a vital component of THEIR business. They are placing their trust in you to procure equipment for their installs.
It’s not for everyone, especially not for people who have a short temper.
If you’re in the same position as Golden Gate Solar Tech’s customer, who needed to clear out modules from his warehouse, consider partnering with a broker to sell your equipment in the secondary market. Read More…