Solar Purchasing Group (SPG), a new company, has been launched for cooperative purchasing of components and materials for solar PV manufacturing. The company has been founded by experienced PV specialists who have been in the industry for many years. The global company operates from its offices in Germany, USA, Hong Kong and Switzerland.
Solar PV manufacturers require many components and materials, including cells, glass, back sheets, EVA, junction boxes, and stringing material for manufacturing products. Collective purchasing helps assert more purchasing leverage.
SPG intends to perform the negotiation to get discounts for its member companies. The collective amount of materials and components required by individual member companies are determined and based on this amount SPG undertakes negotiations.
The company has already commenced negotiations for purchasing agreements with reputed material vendors, distributors and manufacturers all over the globe.
The membership costs $5,000 as initiation fee and annual membership fees. SPG will be offering events such as sponsorship programs, vendors and other programs as the company develops.
The amount of materials and components that will be purchased by individual members will decide their pricing tiers and the associated level of discounts. A higher pricing tier relates to a higher discount, and when the purchasing group attains the consumption commitments made to the providers, it will get additional rebates.
SPG will also provide its members a platform to communicate and provide feedback about the products to its vendors or providers. This will help in increasing the PV fab efficiencies and also lower production costs.