For commercial and industrial (C&I) solar developers and procurement managers, the landscape is shifting rapidly. From policy changes to technological breakthroughs and supply chain pressures, 2025 promises to be a year of both opportunity and complexity.
Here are the top procurement trends shaping the C&I solar sector in the year ahead.
- Domestic Content Will Drive Supplier Selection
With the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) domestic content adder firmly in play, procurement managers are under increasing pressure to prioritize American-made or U.S.-assembled solar products. But it’s not just about meeting the letter of the law — it’s about securing additional tax credits and minimizing long-term risk.
What to watch:
- More module makers expanding U.S. production or partnerships.
- Increased scrutiny of supply chain transparency and compliance documentation.
- Some developers even adding “domestic preference” clauses into EPC contracts.
Bottom line: Panels that meet domestic content standards are becoming a procurement priority — not just a nice-to-have.
- N-Type Modules Will Become the Norm — Not the Upsell
By the end of 2025, N-Type (TOPCon and HJT) panels will move from “premium upgrade” to standard spec in many C&I projects. The reasons are simple:
- Higher efficiency = better power density for space-limited projects.
- Lower degradation rates = improved long-term returns.
- Competitive pricing as manufacturers scale up N-Type production.
Procurement impact:
EPCs and procurement teams will need to adapt bid packages, performance models, and warranty expectations to reflect N-Type technology as the new baseline.
- Weather Resilience Specs Will Tighten
The days of value-engineering module durability down to the minimum are over. Hail, wind, and extreme heat events are becoming more frequent — and investors are taking notice.
What’s changing:
- Procurement teams are specifying hail-tested modules (often with thicker glass and reinforced frames).
- Insurers are demanding better module durability ratings to reduce payout risks.
- Developers in hurricane-prone zones are looking for wind-certified equipment at the procurement stage.
Key takeaway: Engineering for extreme weather is no longer an afterthought. It’s a procurement requirement.
- Supply Chain Volatility Is Easing — But Flexibility Still Matters
2023–2024 saw major delays and price swings, especially for imported panels caught in customs or facing tariff uncertainty. While 2025 is expected to offer greater stability, developers and procurement managers aren’t taking smooth sailing for granted.
Procurement trends:
- Increased preference for suppliers with domestic warehousing and faster lead times.
- Contracts increasingly include delivery flexibility clauses to account for permitting or grid connection delays.
- Some procurement teams favor working with U.S.-based manufacturers to minimize geopolitical risk.
- Sustainability & ESG Are Influencing More Bids
C&I clients — especially corporates pursuing aggressive sustainability goals — are looking beyond price and performance. They want proof that the equipment aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
Procurement considerations:
- Preference for panels produced with ethical labor and clean polysilicon.
- Requests for suppliers to disclose environmental impacts and recycling policies.
- Extra value placed on U.S.-based or certified “clean supply chain” manufacturers.
Why it matters: Procurement managers who can demonstrate ESG alignment are winning more bids — and helping clients achieve their own CSR and reporting goals.
The Bottom Line
2025 will reward procurement teams who think beyond price per watt. Success will depend on understanding evolving technology standards, anticipating policy impacts, demanding weather-resilient products, and partnering with suppliers who can meet both financial and ESG expectations.
C&I solar isn’t just about delivering megawatts anymore. It’s about delivering long-term value — and the smartest procurement teams are already planning accordingly.
