Supply chain management for solar power plants

One of the priorities of Avenston is to provide maximum services from a single source that allows the customer to get the most rational solution. An important step is the selection of suitable equipment and effectively solve the technical problems of the client. Avenston company works without long chains of intermediaries, and in most cases has established a direct contractual relationship with the manufacturers. This scheme allows us not only to provide customers with the most favorable conditions for the guarantee, but also provide competitive quotations.

Logistics and Supply Department of Avenston has many years of experience in planning and procurement, supply of equipment and materials to the site. Preparatory work on the coordination of suppliers, cost and choice of payment methods of goods delivery, coordination with brokers and certification bodies in tariffs for services rendered, choice of optimal delivery schedule all of this work can be taken over our service specialists. Workng with Avenston customers receives:

• preparation of exact procurement plan;
• analysis of commercial offers from potential suppliers, including calculation of risks associated with supplies and equipment itself;
• carrying out of bidding procedures for the selection of optimal products supplier;
• absence of corruption as a phenomenon, during carrying out of bidding procedures;
• framing of agreements for the supply of goods and the provision of transport services;
• selection of the optimal path and method of delivery of equipment and materials;
• transparent scheme of equipment supply chain;
• monitoring of goods traffic from the supplier to the place of goods delivery;
• knowledgeable assistance in the selection of brokerage company;
• customs clearance procedure;
• maximal mitigation of risks related to logistics and supply.

Avenston working closely with financial institutions operating in Ukraine. Our financial management has developed and offers a number of tools aimed at reducing the capital cost of customers during construction of commercial PV power plants through effective credit schemes with competitive interest rates, and we will find the most efficient solution for your project.

Combining many years of experience in implementing projects in the field of solar energy, Avenston offers a service for the supply of products from key global manufacturers of equipment. We supply to the Ukrainian market such items as solar modules, solar inverters, metal structures for ground and roof-top installations of solar modules, as well as specialized solar cable and accessories. Our experts conducted a thorough analysis and selected the most reliable suppliers of quality equipment for each of the activities of our company. In any case, we can offer you the optimal configuration of the object equipment, specific to the area and all of your needs. Cooperating with us, you can be sure that you will get absolutely adequate level of spending on equipment and accessories. For the key goods, we maintain products in the company’s warehouses, as well as ensure timely delivery on project-by-project base.

Warranty for equipment used at solar power plant

It is no secret that the construction of solar photovoltaic power plants requires a fairly serious investment and pays back for a relatively long period. Therefore, one of the most important issues, which should pay attention at the design stage — the warranty on equipment manufacturers. Hardware warranty covers defects in materials and equipment during all operational requirements of equipment manufacturers. The warranty period is set individually by each equipment manufacturer: standard warranty period is 10 years for solar modules and inverters for 5 years. Moreover, often it is possible to purchase an extended warranty, for example, 10 years for inverters.

Equipment warranty usually does not cover direct or indirect losses which have occurred for the following reasons:

• improper use or modification of the equipment;
• unauthorized repair;
• insufficient ventilation equipment failures caused by external influences (e. g., overvoltage, lightning, fire, exposure to corrosive reagents or salt water, unskilled operation, vandalism, mold and other action events, including without limitation any technological and physical cases, which were not known or expected during construction).

Also, the warranty is lost in the following cases:

• damage warranty seals;
• independent repair unauthorized personnel without appropriate permits from the necessary equipment manufacturer;
• applying mechanical or other physical damage due to intentional or negligent actions, replacement, removal or damage to the original labels except their normal wear;
• equipment manufacturers have the right to refuse warranty service if the return of the defective equipment in non-original packaging.

It is very important not only during the warranty period, but also claimed response time discovered defect. For example, some companies commit themselves to replace the defective equipment within 1-2 weeks, while others — stretch this process for 3-4 months. In addition, upon the warranty can cover as well as not to cover transportation and other costs associated with the delivery of the defective equipment to the service center. If such a center is not on the territory of Ukraine, then the owner of the solar power plant may occur additional costs for logistics, customs clearance and payment of VAT. Thus, when choosing equipment manufacturer must take into account not only the specific cost of the equipment, but also the terms of service on the territory of our country.

As practical recommendations when choosing equipment for solar power plants may be advisable to pay attention to:

• how to practice a particular manufacturer decides on warranty cases in Ukraine,
• what time it points to the warranty conditions,
• who are engaged in logistics
• and, most importantly, what obligations themselves supplier in case of violation of these promises.

The ideal option is a short term warranty replacement of defective equipment and compensation for loss of profits in violation of this term. Unfortunately, manufacturers are often such conditions only at a high cost of equipment. But in any case it is necessary to think about how to pay a little more now, to get rid of possible unpleasant problems in the future.