October 6, 2020

One of my favorite sayings is: “Cheap always costs more in the long run. Am I rich enough to buy cheap goods?”

Since 2015, SPP investments in Türkiye have accelerated. They peaked in 2017, and by 2020 were about to reach a second peak before the pandemic slowed things down. Still, investments have continued at full speed.

When building plants, there is always one slogan we tell our investors: Everyone offers guarantees, but what’s behind those guarantees? Do verbal guarantees really work?

In the first 2–3 years, the differences may not be visible, but in the following years, the importance of material and EPC quality gradually becomes clear.

 

What is a Real Guarantee?

Often, investors are not fully informed. Many of them—traders, businessmen, industrialists—tend to focus on price first, rather than the company that will actually execute the project. Even if they do select a company, they constantly impose price pressure. In trade, the first number mentioned usually means “negotiable.”

With constant price pressure, companies in need of work may resort to shortcuts to survive. This can lead to disasters—beware!

That’s why you must carefully choose the company you work with. Once you trust them, you should let them take full responsibility for the project. A solar power plant is not just another installation job; it requires engineering expertise. Implementation by qualified professionals is critical.

 

Why Choosing the Right EPC Company Matters

It’s like going to a doctor: you have a fever, a nurse checks your temperature, everything seems fine, you expect antibiotics because you’ve experienced this before. But what if there’s something more serious? That’s why you go to a doctor—because you fear the risk.

The same goes for EPC projects. This is not a job to take lightly. That’s exactly why the EPC company must be chosen first.

You should fear choosing the wrong company!

If you hand over the project just because it’s cheap, in 2–3 years all your investment may be wasted. If installing costs 10, removing costs 5, then reinstalling will cost 15—not counting lost performance, wasted materials, and poor workmanship. You will end up frustrated.

Therefore, please research EPC companies carefully:

• What is their track record?

• Do they have a future?

• Are they structured to carry you forward?

• Do they do more than just install solar panels?

• On what basis are they providing guarantees?

If a company says “yes” to everything, if guarantees are being thrown around casually, think twice. This is serious. Don’t hand over your work to unqualified firms because of guarantees you don’t even believe in yourself.

 

Otherwise, you may lose what you already have—like going to Dimyat for rice and losing the bulgur at home.

V.K.