A Smarter Way to Manage Solar Supply Chains

28 Aug 2025

Best Practices for Supplier Validation, Risk Mitigation, and Compliance

The solar industry is no stranger to change. Fluctuating global trade policies, raw material constraints, evolving compliance standards, and increasing cost pressures continue to challenge solar manufacturers as they strive to maintain quality, safety, and speed to market.

These challenges aren't new, but they are intensifying. And they're prompting a new kind of conversation: How can solar companies reengineer their supply chains for greater agility without compromising reliability?

Reimagining Solar Supply Chains for Agility and Resilience

Solar manufacturers are increasingly taking a proactive stance, reassessing their sourcing strategies, validating alternate suppliers, and preparing for the unexpected. But retooling a supply chain involves more than just finding new vendors. It means ensuring that every change – whether it’s a new component, a new factory, or a new region – still supports the product's overall compliance, performance, and quality.

This kind of strategic transformation requires a holistic, connected approach. One that spans from raw material selection to end-market certification.

Example in Action: Supporting a Rush Solar Project

A PV products manufacturer in Lake Forest, California, recently engaged Intertek's team of PV experts. Their goal? To rapidly qualify alternate photovoltaic cell suppliers to supplement their approved bill of materials (BOM) amid rising demand and procurement delays.

Using our SupplyTek solution, Intertek was able to quickly assess the new suppliers, conduct targeted audits and spot testing, and support seamless documentation updates – enabling the manufacturer to proceed without delay and maintain their certification status.

Key Strategies for Navigating Supply Chain Change

Based on industry trends and lessons learned, here are several best practices that can help solar companies adapt without compromise:

• Component Certification & Validation
  Review and test alternate cells, backsheets, junction boxes, and more to ensure compatibility and compliance.
• Factory Readiness & Auditing
  Perform enhanced initial factory audits and verify alignment with your QA protocols.
• Rush Change Management
  Evaluate material or design changes under time-sensitive conditions.
• Cost Reduction Support
  Explore ways to validate lower-cost components without sacrificing quality.
• Supplier Training & QA Implementation
  Develop internal lab capabilities and train staff on your standards to maintain product consistency.
• Chemical & Material Hazard Assessments
  Validate safety and sustainability risks when changing materials.

Stay Ahead of Global Supply Chain Risks

The path forward for solar supply chains will demand flexibility, transparency, and resilience. Manufacturers that build the right partnerships and frameworks now will be best positioned to respond to future shifts, whether those shifts come from the market, regulators, or the environment.

At a time when clean energy is scaling faster than ever, the integrity of the solar supply chain has never mattered more. By embedding robust change management strategies, solar companies can not only mitigate today’s risks but also unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.