BloombergNEF’ s tiering system for PV module manufacturers is based on bankability, to help purchasers of PV modules distinguish between the hundreds of modules available today. To be ranked as Tier 1, the manufacturer must have provided in-house manufactured PV modules to six different projects that have been non-recourse financed by six different banks over the past two years. Since non-recourse financing does not allow the lender to pursue anything other than the collateral, it’s an indication that the bank has confidence in the PV module manufacturer. Boviet Solar has achieved the BNEF Tier 1 rating [for every quarter] in 2021.
“The Tier 1 designation serves as independent validation of Boviet Solar’s performance as a business partner since it rates PV module manufacturers on bankability or financial stability,” said Jimmy Xie, CEO of Boviet Solar.
Bloomberg notes that its tiering system is not a substitute for due diligence, but instead offers bankability as an additional benchmark. Banks and their due diligence providers are naturally reluctant to release their proprietary whitelists of approved solar vendors, so Tier 1 validation indicates that financial institutions have already vetted PV module manufacturers.
“When looking for a PV module partner, bankability matters just as much as top performing PV modules and cost-effectiveness,” said Sienna Cen, President of Boviet Solar USA. “Being ranked as a Tier 1 solar module maker by BloombergNEF gives Boviet third-party validation of our financial stability—a great complement to our technology, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. Tier 1 status should give our customers added assurance that partnering with Boviet Solar is a wise choice for any solar project.”
