SPIS Toolbox - Pre-select Potential Suppliers

Pre-select Potential Suppliers

Now that a technical design with costing is available, it is time to compare quotations and select a supplier.

Supplier pre-selection: The market for SPIS is still developing. Therefore the solar pumps are mostly not found in the portfolio of traditional agricultural service providers. Instead, PV pump manufacturers often select specialized PV distributors and system integrators to market their products. Several aspects need to be considered when shortlisting potential suppliers/systemintegrators:

• look for leading brands in the service provider’s portfolio;
• check for long-term experience in the field of solar water pumping;
• check if a regional distribution network and a functioning spare part supply exists;
• check whether after-sale services are provided.

Holistic solutions, which include the photovoltaic pump andthe water distribution system,can only rarely be found on the market, although it is useful to have integrated system configuration to increase overall system efficiency and reliability of SPIS. Suppliers offering turn-key solutions should be preferred, if they are able to adapt all system components to site conditions and to producerneeds.

Quality and safety requirements: A precondition for safe operation and durabilityof the SPIS is that all system components fulfill minimum quality and safety standards. Whenrequesting quotations and tender bids, it should be clearly statedthatonly high-quality products, which meet international standards (e.g. IEC, ISO)are tobe offered. Certificates have to be provided by the system integrator to confirmsystem quality. A quotation should also include the service provider’safter-salewarranty andservice details andcosts.

Also assess whether the service provider maintains any local representation in the area of the farm. This enables swift response to maintenance and repair requests, including spare part supply. Long service response times can result in crop damage during system breakdowns.

Design data and timing: A complete set of high-quality design data has to be included when requestinga quotation. The accuracy of the site-specific sizing data (Vd, Ht,G) needs to be assured. A submission deadline for quotations/offers should be set by leaving sufficient preparation time (e.g. 4 weeks).

Outcome / Product

• Request for quotation;
• If a tender process is preferred to a straight-forward dealer/buyer arrangement: set of tender documents, including a comprehensive description of system requirements;
• System cost and after-sale servicesincluded in quotations/ offers.

Data Requirements

• Results of on-site data collection;
• Information on product portfolio;
• Experience of potential suppliers/retailers.

Important Issues

• An integrated SPIS design that includes a pumping and irrigation system is usually not available – system components need to be harmonized to provide the best result.

Large quality differences exist in all system components available on the market.

Showroom of technology distributor.