Solar procurement playbook
The RFQ Quick-Start Guide
A two-page working reference for buyers sourcing solar equipment. Post one request, let verified suppliers compete, and compare landed cost instead of chasing distributors one at a time.
Inside: the three-step sourcing flow, a spec checklist for every major category, the commercial terms that make quotes comparable, and the questions buyers ask most before awarding an order.
- Spec checklist for 6 equipment categories
- Incoterms and landed-cost comparison
- Lead time and payment term prompts
- Free for buyers, no account required
Get the guide
PDF, 2 pages. Enter your details and the download starts right away.
Three steps, zero guesswork
The same flow the guide walks through, from first request to awarded order.
01
Post your request
Pick a category, enter quantity, target delivery date, and ship-to region. Attach a bill of materials or datasheet if you have one.
02
Suppliers compete
Your request goes to verified suppliers in that category. Most first quotes land within four hours.
03
Compare and award
Review unit price, price per watt, MOQ, lead time, warranty, and freight terms side by side, then award the winning quote.
What to include in your request
Requests with complete specs get faster and firmer pricing. The full checklist is in the PDF.
- PV modules
- Wattage range, cell technology (mono PERC, TOPCon, HJT), bifacial or monofacial, quantity in modules or MW, pallet or container quantity, certifications (UL 61730, IEC 61215), Tier 1 or FEOC requirement, warranty term.
- Inverters
- Type (string, central, micro, hybrid), AC output power, input voltage window, MPPT count, grid code and UL 1741-SB compliance, indoor or outdoor rating, monitoring requirement.
- Batteries and storage
- Chemistry (LFP, NMC), usable kWh, nominal voltage, C-rate, cycle life, enclosure and IP rating, UL 9540A documentation, AC or DC coupled.
- Racking and mounting
- Mount type (roof, ground, ballasted, carport), roof or soil conditions, tilt, wind and snow load, module dimensions, rail or rail-less.
- Charge controllers
- MPPT or PWM, max PV input voltage, output current, battery voltage compatibility, communications protocol.
- Monitoring and BOS
- Data logger or gateway model, communications (cellular, ethernet, RS-485), combiner and disconnect ratings, wire gauge and connector type.
Guide FAQs
Is the RFQ quick-start guide free?
Yes. The guide is free to download. Enter your work email and the PDF opens immediately, and we also keep the download link on this page for the rest of your session.
What is inside the guide?
A three-step walkthrough of the sourcing process, a spec checklist for PV modules, inverters, batteries, racking, charge controllers, and monitoring, the commercial terms to lock down before you award, and answers to the questions buyers ask most.
Who should use it?
EPCs, installers, distributors, and resellers preparing a request for solar equipment. It is written for procurement teams comparing landed cost across multiple suppliers, not for homeowners.
What do you do with my email address?
We use it to send the guide and occasional sourcing updates. We never sell your details, and every message includes a one-click unsubscribe link.
What happens after I read it?
Post your request on the Source Center. Posting is free for buyers, and you can attach the same spec checklist from the guide so suppliers quote firm pricing on the first pass.