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TRINA SOLAR’S EXPANSION IN THE U.S. Aspen Business & Society Contest 2011 From “The Power behind the Panel” to “Naturally Enlightening Lives”
Figure No. 1: Trina Solar Values
Executive Summary Trina Solar is an internationally recognized manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, founded in China and with current local sales, marketing offices and installation partners throughout Asia, Europe and North‐America. At the end of 2010, Jifan Gao, Trina Solar’s founder and chairman, wondered how his company could expand its presence in the United States market. The strategy that Trina Solar should pursue to reach this market has to include perspective on building manufacturing facility, relationships with developers, downstream integration, branding plans and political sources of uncertainty.
Our consultancy recommends Trina Solar on the following topics: Manufacturing operations introduction in the U.S. with an initial 350 MW facility, located in California State, to meet the estimated national demand.
Acquiring a solar developer to increase their market power, overcome market entry barriers, increase speed to market and become more diversified.
Driving brand differentiation through high quality equity establishment and value creation, including the benefits that solar energy brings to the environment as the key category attractor.
Monitoring the two most likely political developments: Federal government restrictions on purchased solar modules to those produced in the U.S. and state’s incentives through renewable portfolio standards. The best approach to influence U.S. policy towards solar energy is communicating that the growth of the U.S. solar market offers jobs creation.
In general, the corporate strategy of Trina Solar is to focus its growth in the United States in the upcoming years. The marketing strategy is to grow the brand by becoming a clear the 2nd PV company supplier in the US. Additionally, 30% of Trina Solar’s revenues by 2014 have to come from the US. The order qualifiers will be value, environment, delivery but the order winners will be focused in quality, speed, technical support and pre‐post service.
Situational Analysis Trina Solar Limited was established by its current CEO, Jifan Gao, in 1997. Inspired by the growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) industry abroad and particularly the Clinton administration's 'Million Solar Roofs' initiative in the United States, Mr. Gao identified a trend in the market that he believed could benefit China.1 Thus, he created a company focused on continue improving the quality of the c‐Si cells that are sold around the world and which primarily market has been Europe.
When Trina's New Building opened in Changzhou, China in 2008, it was not only a symbol of Trina's great success, but also a showcase of PV energy, with a facade of beautifully integrated glass‐on‐glass PV modules. Trina Solar is planning to grow its installed capacity from 950MW at the end of 2010 to 1.7 GW by the end of 2011.1
Focus on its Corporate Values of “quality” and “innovation”, Mr. Gao considered an important part of the success of Trina Solar the continuous innovation on costs leveraged on the full vertical‐integrated manufacturing process. This capability has been created in‐house behind strong support of the R&D function. In the analysis of the company story we found that identifying gaps in the value chain has been a great access for the continuous growth of the Company. In the Exhibit No. 1 we provide an internal analysis of Trina Solar following the Value Chain Model (Porter, 1985).2 Trina become a public company in 2006 and even located in China, decided to do it via NYSE. Mr. Gao make a statement in 2005 that talks about how strong are the companies values in the achievement of the business goals: Trina will become recognized as a producer with as high quality standards as the German companies and as high corporate governance standards as the American companies.
Closing 2010 and structuring the plans for the 2011‐2014, solar cells producers face the challenge of a coaling effect of the growth of the European market, which concentrates the 70% of the global PV demand, since announced reductions of government incentives (FiT ‐ feeds in tariff). Chinese companies and Mr. Gao are looking, as a response, after the ever promising U.S. market which become to be the largest world economy and the only plausible alternative to compensate the growth path of the sector.
Growing demand in the U.S., developed supply chain in the solar energy sector, educated working forced and the recent pressure to create employment provides a fertile ground to the idea of moving manufacturing facilities to this country. The potential establishment of operations in the U.S. by Trina Solar, which obeys to the trend of localizing manufacturing in key markets, takes place in a changing environment described with the following external analysis based on a PEST matrix (see table No.1 in the next page).
The formal entrance of Trina Solar to the U.S. requires a deep understanding of the industrial sector beyond the government incentives. Solar Energy segment is quite competitive the world leader is an American Company: First Solar. Its Chinese main competitor: Yingli
1 Trina Solar Limited. www.trinasolar.com/our_history.php 2 Porter, Michael (1985). Competitive Advantage. Nueva York, The Free Press
Green Energy and Suntech have been also expanding its operations and presence in this market. A “Five Forces Analysis” (Porter, 1980) is provided as quick reference on the competitive industrial analysis in the U.S. (Refer to Exhibit No.2)
Table No.1 : Environment Analysis of Solar Energy in the U.S. under PEST matrix Political Despite the formal U.S.‐China Trade Agreement, the unbalance in the commercial flow (creating a negative check
account in the U.S./trade deficit) is putting strong pressure to limit new imports from China. Although there are not signals of eliminating federal actual tax reductions/investments incentives, the new elected 112th congress with Republican majority would eliminate the creation of new incentives on renewals whilst promoting politics for cheaper production and generation of electricity based on fossil sources, particularly natural gas.
Economical Overall, the U.S. government provides the aforementioned incentives mainly behind local Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) establishing targets for clean energy penetration goals. This has been making viable the growth of the solar industry. For example, New Jersey’s RPS set the largest targets in terms of solar energy, requiring 2% of the state’s target to be delivered from solar PV systems (an estimated 1.8 GW by 2021). Apart for RPS, there are property tax exemptions, rebates, solar loan deduction and net metering. Solar provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Program Act of 2009 (ARRA) has awarded $600 MM, representing investment in new and upgraded factories of more than $ 2 billion
Social Apart from climate change concerns and government incentives, solar segment can get an extra consumer push since the latest negative reaction towards nuclear energy after the March 11th major earthquake in Japan.
Technological It is required the continuous improvement on the PV c‐Si cells efficiency and alternative systems based on quick penetration of competitive technologies (e.g. PV thin film, CPS in utilities, etc) that can jeopardize the mid‐term growth expansion of Trina which only produces c‐Si cells.
Decision Analysis 1. OGSM Terry Hill (2000) suggests that in order for a company to reach its objectives their corporate, marketing and manufacturing strategy has to be aligned so that the company can achieve is maximum efficiency. The corporate strategy of Trina is to grow globally and by focusing in the U.S (30% of Trina’s revenues by 2014). The marketing strategy is to position the brand in the market and become the 2nd PV company supplier in the U.S. This will be achieved by differentiation. The qualifiers elements will be price, environment, delivery and the winners elements of the strategy will be focused in quality, speed, technical support and pre‐post service. Brand image today might not be a point of difference but the idea is to make it as such (see table No.2).
Table No. 2: Strategic Expansion Plan of Trina Solar in the U.S (2011‐2014) OBJECTIVE GOALS STRATEGY MEASURES
Become the 2nd PV supplier company in the US Become one of the most respected brands in the solar energy sector
By 2011 reach 19% U.S. market share equivalent to 1.7MW equivalent production PV units globally. 30% of total revenues coming from the US by 2014
Position Trina as a superior brand in the segment constructing in the company values (Innovation, Quality, Accountability, etc.) Win big with our customers and create strong partnership Acquire a developer to ensure market share goals Deliver superior service to our customers and end clients Build a manufacturing plant in the US
Market share Revenues SERVQUAL Equity
Considering the resources needed to implement this strategy, we have the following considerations:
Capital resources: Trina has been spending up to 449M$ in capital in the last four years (until 2009) and its 2009 cash flow doesn’t show a major short term debt. This suggests that Trina may have the resources available to engage in the acquisition of a developer. In the other hand, it is clear that to build a plant Trina may need financing as suggesting best financial practice. Human resources: Despite hiring a new working force in the U.S., Trina has to spend a significant amount of time on its qualified resources to grant the proper operational transferability manuals and best practices to train employees in the U.S. They have the technology and means to keep driving innovation and growth. Although there isn’t enough information about the size of the manufacturing organization in China, the biggest watch‐out may be in the Marketing function behind scarcity of resources needed to establish the recommended actions. Trina will need to dedicate resources in the U.S. to build the brand without losing its position in the Europe. For this, Trina needs to leverage global resources to create one brand with small difference in the Go‐to‐Market; otherwise, a significant revamp of its small Marketing organization in the States may be required.
2. Advisability of building manufacturing facilities in the United States We recommend Trina Solar the introduction of manufacturing operations in the U.S. based on the facts discussed in the situational analysis and summarized as follow: cooling in the European PV market demand; main China competitor, Suntech, has received incentives equivalent to $2.1MM for its investment of $10MM in Goodyear, Arizona and new law about limitations in importing to the U.S. solar installations without a sizable amount of “local content”. Additionally, the U.S. market has become more competitive in the
Figure No. 2: Recommended plan location
upstream side remaining leading producer of poly‐silicon and in the downstream side, the declining cost of solar panels meant that transportation and working capital fees (critical factor if Trina Solar keeps exclusively making facilities in China) are becoming an increasing component of the module costs. As reference of the overall price declining trend in the U.S., 2009 marked a second year of major priced declines for PV modules. Prices have fallen to $1.85‐2.25/W from $3.50‐4.00/W in mid‐2008, a drop over 40%3.
The two critical factors in the establishment of the operations are: the U.S. PV demand estimation and location. 2.1. Demand Estimation: The global demand of the PV sector has been erratic to estimate and consequently not easy to predict. Since its high dependency of government incentives (either FiTs or tax incentives), demand has varied significantly but overall with a growing trend since 2000. After analyzing several sources of data provided, we decided to follow (based on actual figures accuracy) the estimations from the European PV Industrial Association. Based on the understanding of the global dynamics, we are considering a “Policy‐driven scenario” for the near‐term in the U.S. whilst for Europe the consideration is the “moderate growth scenario” (considering free market policies in which FiTs are losing relevance). Table No. 3 shows our best prediction for the demand in the period of 2011‐2014. In order to meet Trina’s objectives in the American market, we estimated that the required growth of the Company in the U.S. required achieving ca. the 19% market share (vs. 13‐15% obtained in 2010). This market participation in PV will require the production of at least 380 MW in new units. Refer to table No. 4. Looking at the expected growth of the market we recommend the immediate localization of a 350 MW facility in the California State for 2011 and the fund allocation for a plant expansion of extra 500 MV to be ready by 2012 (decision to be revised later during 2011 according to demand behavior). Note this recommendation is close to company expectation to get 1.7 GV globally by end of 2011. Importantly, we have found that this kind of industrial developments requires at least one year for its construction, so we might need to revisit the details of the time‐frame with Trina Solar.
Table No.3: Global Demand of PV (MW) 4
Year *actual 2009* 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 U.S. (Policy‐driven scenario) 477 1000 2000 3000 4500 6000 EU (Moderate scenario) 5605 8190 5670 6095 7525 7980
Table No.4: Trina Solar Production in the U.S. – Scenario Planning
Year *actual 2009* 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Trina Solar share, % 5 13 15 17 19 21 Scenario I
Moderate growth Incremental PV production, MW 24 130 300 510 855 1260 Trina Solar share, % 5 15 19 22 25 28 Scenario II
High growth Incremental PV production, MW 24 150 380 660 1125 1680
2.2. Location: Why California? This state has become a sector cluster since its strong commitment to renewal energy. Its RPS goals, 33% of electricity must come from clean energies by 2020, and its dominant Democratic Party influence had provided huge incentives for the industry. This state is the first market in the U.S. and together with its neighbors: Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska and New Mexico, represents more than the half of the market in number of PV installations and its perspective of growth makes this area remains in the first place in the U.S., followed by the North East cluster (lead by New Jersey and which huge 2009‐2010 trend in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts) and finally by Florida.
California must provide unique support to Trina Solar in the consolidation, not only of the manufacturing operations, but also to the overall company growth in the U.S. All major programs rolled‐out in the sector are predominant located in California which guides us to think about huge availability of capable and educate labor force. Note that according to Navigant Consulting5, in a State qualification matrix of attractiveness to the sector considering variables such as: incentives (RPS and RECs), utility participation, competition, accessibility to the grid, electricity rate volatility and others; California got 9.1 points over 10, being second best qualified by the 2011, Oregon state with just 6.7. Same analysis by the 2014 (which weights variables differently considering expected changes in the sector) still gives California the first place with 9.4 points and this time Arizona becoming closer with 8.4 points
Thinking of a particular area we recommend the surrounded area in the Figure No.2 which availability of commercial railroads, access to the I‐10 and four major sea ports: Hueneme, Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego. San Bernardino County and Desert Center are two
3 Solar Energy Industries Association. U.S. Solar Industry. Year in Review 2009. April, 2010 4 European Photovoltaic Industry Association. Global Market Outlook for PV until 2014. May, 2010
5 Navigating Consulting, Inc. Global PV Demand 2011 and beyond vote solar. California, 2011
major areas in the red circle which major programs under development lead by First Solar (national and world leader) and K Road Solar. Each of the aforementioned manufacturing programs has a size of at least 250 MV.6 3. Advisability of acquiring a solar developer or of otherwise engaging in the development process Acquisition seems like the clear choice based on the following analysis. We analyze what could be the advantages of disadvantages of acquiring developer vs. developing the capability from within (Organic Growth) in the table No. 5.
Table No.5: Vertical Integration Analysis ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Organic Growth
Helps keeping focus on driven sales and avoid direct competition with current customers. Lower investment cost (near‐term) vs. an acquisition.
Absence of vehicle to help build branding. Market already has a fair share of developers to create a new one. Learning curves of market channel dynamics.
Acquisition
Speed in to Go‐to‐the Market maximizing volume allocation. Knowledge of Purchase Power Agreements (PPA), permits and access to financial institutions. Quickly overcome of market entry barriers: vehicle to drive branding faster.
There is direct competition with other developers (customers or potential customers). Potentially putting on risks projects in the pipeline that requires due diligence in detail. Premium price for the acquisition that could impact significantly the cash flow and company balances.
The table above shows the positive and negative factors of each strategy. Clearly Organic Growth biggest setback is timing and lack of experience which goes against Trina aggressive objectives of growth in the near‐term. Additionally it seems that market will be well saturated in module supply which means that Trina module has to find a home for their production. If Trina wants to build a big scale focusing on projects, the market has showed that the best way to achieve is though developer acquisition as GTM Research stated.7
To successfully implement the Acquisition we might need to consider how to address it disadvantages: direct competition with current customers and the risk of projects in the pipeline. Since Acquisition has more advantages and could lead to organic growth as it did for First Solar, the recommendation for Trina is that it pursues this strategy.
Cross border mergers and acquisitions help firms like Trina increase their market power, overcome market entry barriers, increase speed to market and become more diversified8. To mention some of the positive supporting facts: 3.1.1. Improve their financial structure: It has been recommended to build a manufacturing facility of modules in the US. Although this plant brings a lot of benefits for Trina, the cost of production of module will be higher than in China (approx +30% excluding shipment) impacting the bottom line of Trina. Integrating vertically with developer allows Trina to recover profit. Additionally, setting a fixed priced for modules will make easier to calculate the NPV of the projects, as it have the benefit of knowing the price that it needs to secure in the PPA to ensure a positive NPV. 3.1.2. Access to tax benefits: Currently most of developers and the SPV that are created don’t have sufficient taxable income to get benefits, so they have to use the financial institution as a mean of access to this benefit. Trina’s US business will enable to have access directly to the benefits, even by Trina decides that developer keeps operating independently as sub‐business unit. 3.1.3. Bigger opportunities for Branding: The recommendation is that Trina co‐brands with the developer in the first years. One of the main reasons is for Trina o create brand awareness. The developer will be a vehicle of your Trina to customers. 3.1.4. Modules allocation: By integrating with a developer, Trina will have access to the all the projects including those that still are in discovery/potential phase. Trina will be able to estimate the quantities of modules needed for the projects and allocate them. 3.1.5. Knowledge of Developers: Developers have clearly created an expertise of creating SPV, obtaining finance, site permits and PPAs. This knowledge is relevant for Trina because the developer has already created a network which Trina will have access to. 3.6. Bankability: having a developer using Trina modules in all their projects and a manufacturing plant in the US this will give reassurance for customers and other clients that they will be able to claims the 20 year warranty or nay other service of the modules. There will be no needed for purchasing insurance as a guarantee.
How to address disadvantages 3.2.1. Direct competition with other developers: 7 firms9 in the utility PV have already integrated vertically with developers, meaning that Trina is already competing with developers that have a primary source of modules. Additionally, module makers from China or abroad could also pursue vertical integration to grow in the U.S. market. To note, the developer that Trina could acquire is currently competing with other developers for projects and this situation won’t be different if Trina owns it. In any case, as Trina still wants to
6 http://www.gtmresearch.com/report/us‐utility‐pv‐market‐2015
7 http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/print/how‐suppliers‐can‐serve‐the‐u.s.‐utility‐pv‐market/
8 U.S. Energy Information Administration. Solar Photovoltaic Cell/Module Manufacturing Activities 2009 9 GTM Research Utility PV Project Developer Taxonomy
Figure No.3: Brand Equity Pyramid
keep supplying other developers to achieve growth targets, it could mimic a similar strategy than SHARP, where manufacturer and developer kept their independence, but where SHARP is the first option of supply. The best option is to follow the model of Sun Power in which they inform the developers which projects are they bidding and which not.
3.2.2. Risks of projects in the pipeline: There are risks associated to the pipeline of projects that may inflate the risk premium of the developer. This is addressed in the due diligence process of acquisition. Trina has to be thorough in assessing the projects in the pipeline as well as the financial balance sheets. To note, developing projects is not new for Trina as they have done it in the past. The acquisition has to be friendly as it is key that Trina creates a good image that is needed for driving the brand. At the beginning it will be similar to a merger and then evolve to complete brand take over. The acquisition plan process is shown in the table No. 6.
Table No.6: Implementation Plan Time 0‐6 months 6‐12 months 1‐3 years 3+years
KEY ACT
IVITIES
Identify key developers Due diligence process Assess financial mean for the acquisition
Complete the acquisition Go through revision of all projects allocated resources of Trina to deliver modules on projections
Developer working as sub‐company of Trina with independence and still key decision making of project but with participation of Trina. Developer maintains Brand. The idea is to co‐brand with Trina to create brand awareness and position the brand
Trina takes completely over the company, behind a strong brand and migrates just to Trina. Trina in control of new developments and negotiations.
4. Advisability of Marketing Strategy
4.1. Marketing Strategy Framed in the Marketing Mix Model (refer to exhibit 3.a), the objective of Trina’s marketing strategy is to drive differentiation. It will focus on brand building to attract new consumers to the category while also strengthening its brand equity among customers. The consumer segment is composed mainly by residential, commercial, industrial and utility sectors. Among these, the largest sector is the commercial followed by the residential, which is growing.10
Each of the 4 strategies of the marketing mix will aim to differentiate Trina from market competitors. Based on these strategies, the Brand Equity Pyramid was built to highlight critic Points of Differences (PODs) (see figure 3). The 4 strategies are defined below:
Product Superior quality to develop consumer and customer trust Highest efficiency to transmit value
Price Parity pricing vs. same segment competitors Cost effective vertical‐integrated platform to improve financial structure Best in class consumer financial aid programs to help to diminish the massive solar power initial investment requirements
Place Strong Relationship with key Customers: local utilities, solar distributors and developers Special focus on developers (Co‐Branding)
Promotion Differentiation vs. competition trough Brand Equity PODs
4.2. Commercial Action Plan Based on our marketing strategy, an action plan is conceived to address our objectives. This plan is considering 2 phases: Phase 1 is before our developer co‐branding and plant localization in the US projects are concluded and Phase 2 is afterwards.
Table No. 7: Commercial Action Plan Phase 1 (2011 est.) Phase 2 (2012‐2014 est.)
10 U.S. Energy Information Administration. Solar Photovoltaic Cell/Module Manufacturing Activities 2009
Identify and partner with Bank to sponsor industry loans Identify and partner with Environmental Organizations to use them for credentialing Influence large residential holding administrators Create sales team to identify potential clients in large public services (i.e. hospitals, schools)
Launch commercial campaign via radio, online marketing and print media Deploy print media across key channels: major events (sports), home improvement and real estate magazines Develop online marketing capability for further advertising (i.e. social networking) and credentialing (peer reviewed website to advertise solar energy benefits) Leverage Co‐Brading for advertising trough developers Exploit commercially industry financed loans as key enabler for universal access to solar energy
4.3. Communication area: global climate change in its communications vs. technical features of solar modules Communication should focus on solar industry benefits to the environment. This is the main purchase driver according to public research (refer to Exhibit No.4.a). Evidently, this means that the first step is to convince the consumer to change from its current energy source to solar. However, there is no need to criticize not renewable energy risks and hazards since they’re already known.
Second step is to let the consumer know that the solar technology is reachable. This is a key element for purchase intention since affordability is a main concern (refer to Exhibit No.4.b). Advertising should include financial aid programs information that shows to the consumer that the technology is at its reach and might let it not only to save some dollars, but also to help to save the world.
Still, technical features should not be neglected. They are important to drive Trina differentiation over competitors and trust. Trina’s high quality standards and warranty policies address a main consumer technical concern, product quality (refer to Exhibit No.4.c). This concern is obvious since solar power is a long term investment which mileage needs to be assured.
The concept is born: “Naturally Enlightening Lives”. Trina will use solar energy environmental benefits as an entry point motivator to integrate it with its industry PODs to improve consumers’ lives and their surroundings, more harmoniously (see exhibit 3.b)
5. Advisability of political developments: 5.1 Political developments under monitor and potential influence on the company’s position There are several political aspects that in a direct or indirect way could impact solar energy companies, refer to Exhibit No.5. The two most likely political developments that Trina should monitor are:
Federal government restrictions on purchased solar modules to those produced in the United States. This political aspect is related to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) decisions about the public interest waiver of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which dictates the “Buy American provision” to have a positive impact on the U.S. solar industry, solar project implementation and American job creation. This legislation promotes Trina’s strategy of increase its presence in the U.S. market through building manufacturing facilities in the country. The full implementation of this act should be monitored because it would create the need to increase production volume inside U.S. and in this point Trina will be benefited because will have the opportunity to internally compete through its attractive value offered (“you get the best $/kWh”). On the other hand, Trina can set its position as one of the clean energy companies creating more good jobs for Americans.
U.S. State Incentives: Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). Many states had adopted renewable portfolio standards (RPS) for their utilities. Under a RPS, utilities had to produce a given percentage of their energy from renewable sources or purchase certificates from entities attesting to production of electricity from renewable sources. According to studies, the impact of state RPS solar quotas on PV installations was a substantial driver of demand. Excluding California, 67 percent of new PV installations from 2000 through 2006 came from states with RPS solar targets (i.e. New Jersey State). Trina should be constantly inspecting the different states RPS to determine in which states the company marketing forces should be focused on creating alliances with the energy utilities.
5.2 What, if anything, should the company do to influence U.S. policy towards solar energy? The best approach to influence U.S. policy towards solar energy is to communicate that the growth of the U.S. solar market creates new jobs which is a common theme both parties want. There is evidence of the creation of 10,000 full‐time jobs in 2009 and 15,000 full‐time in 2010 in the sector11. The company needs to identify current key representatives within the congress supporting renewable energy actions, and specifically solar energy, to influence them in considering a variety of financing mechanisms to boost clean energy technologies development inside U.S. A good level of the market development and job creation need that treasury grant program and other key incentives take place. Trina efforts by itself could not be enough to influence government in this aspect; therefore to increase its visibility, influence U.S. policy potential and lobby towards solar energy it is recommended that Trina join any alliance as Solar Alliance12, which is a state‐focused alliance of solar manufacturers, integrators and financiers, specifically working with state administrators, legislators and utilities to establish cost‐effective solar policies and programs. Being part of this alliance can impulse Trina company’s name in front of government, legislators and regulators to devise the most appropriate programs for each state.
11 Solar Energy Industries Association. U.S. Solar Industry. Year in Review 2009. April, 2010 12 The Solar Alliance. www.solaralliance.org
Current Trina capability but it will require adaptation to new strategy. No current Trina capability, to be conjointly created with the developer.
CONCLUSION In the next years, the solar industry foresees its largest growth potential in the U.S., in which there is a great momentum for renewable energies influence by environment concerns. Trina has the right to win in the U.S. as is setting clear objectives and goals and defining the strategies to achieve them. The plant in the U.S. will build trust that Trina is in the solar business to stay and willing to drive it in U.S.. Trina has understood that the biggest players in the U.S. are leveraging vertically integrated structures to win in the market and create value. Trina needs follows through consistently in the marketing strategy to boost Trina’s Brand in the U.S., ensuring its expansion. The strategy includes the solar industry paradigm shifter element, environment, while highlighting Trina’s Brand Equity point of differences (quality, efficiency, service). The government policies and the environment play a key role to influence this market and Trina biggest asset will be to become a respected leader in the subject. Trina Solar, “naturally enlightening lives”.
Exhibit No.1: Internal Analysis of Trina Solar according to Porter Value Chain
Internally analyzing the Trina Solar Value Chain in light of its expansion to the U.S., we find in our criteria that the Company counts on strong support functions to grant a successful expansion; considering only as an area of opportunity its corporate purchases operations of procurement that might need to adequate its procedures while entering in the new market. Poly‐silicon, for example, is quite available in the U.S. and might not be required to import from China. Net, a new supply chain must be considered once manufacturing operation in the U.S. is approved. More importantly, Trina Solar is called to enhance its current value behind the primary activities. The Company has successfully vertical‐integrated its upstream operations from ingot to modules making (leveraging on strong process R&D in process technology). However, we consider that the main areas of opportunities moving forward are those that provide a better downstream vertical integration. Regardless of the decision about partnership with developers, which appears as a very attractive option, Trina must generated superior value in the path to final consumers. Solar energy market continues indicating that the supply (at least installed capacity) of PV c‐Si cells will exceed rapidly the demand; consequently, Trina Solar must find the optimum way to guarantee its orders and avoid the threat of high inventories and working capital. Following the Porter Value Chain model (Porter, 1985), the Company is called to identify the current gaps in its outbound logistics, Marketing and Sales and Service.
Exhibit No.2: Solar Sector Analysis in the U.S according to Porter Five Forces Model
HOW TO DIMINISH THE THREAT OF NEW ENTRANCES Focus on being leadership on cost innovation to guarantee better grid‐parity figures vs. other renewal sources Continue investing on innovation to guarantee start‐of‐art technology Provide best in class technical support and warranties to end customer. Provide long‐term services contracts
DRIVERS OF COMPETITIVE RIVALRY Relationship with distributors and developers focus on bankability and negotiation power on price Control on limiting the working capital Accuracy in the demand forecast Just‐in‐time supply chain best practice Efficiency of the product offering Reliability of the product offering
HOW TO DIMINISH THE THREAT OF BARGANING POWER OF SUPPLIERS Continue establishing contracts with key suppliers of poly‐silicon Evaluate/include new suppliers once starting manufacturing operations in the U.S.
HOW TO DIMINISH THE THREAT OF BARGANING POWER OF CUSTOMER Create strong Branding to guide the market to the manufacturer vs. the customer Establish downstream vertical integration contractual relationships Support practices to commoditize end‐service if customer is not a partner (e.g. superior end client services vs. the ones provided by customers)
HOW TO DIMINISH THE THREAT OF SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS Continue focusing on efficiency and cost ($/kWh) of c‐Si cells Continue leveraging on high quality standards in manufacturing process (multi‐points control checks) Provide integrated‐development solutions specially‐designed for customers and end clients Provide mid‐term financial solutions to become competitive vs. regular electricity sources (especially where market is far from the grid parity price)
Exhibit No. 3: Marketing Strategy Models
a) Marketing 4Ps Model Proposed for Trina
b) Brand Building Model Path
Exhibit No. 4: Support for the Commercial Plan
Photovoltaic Incentive Programs Survey: Residential Participants Demographics, Motivations and Experiences13 a) Purchasing Motivations
b) Purchasing Concerns – Technical
c) Purchasing Concerns – Financial
Exhibit No. 5: Political Influencers on Solar Companies in the United States
13 SEPA Report# 06‐09 www.solarelectricpower.org