When solar EPC teams talk about delays, the blame usually falls on panels, inverters, or approvals.
But on site, it’s often something much smaller that causes the real damage:
Fasteners that never arrive.
Half the BOQ is pending.
M10 bolts didn’t come.
Washers are missing.
Anchor bolts are delayed.
SS304 fasteners are on backorder.
The structure stands incomplete.
Modules wait in crates.
Crews sit idle.
And suddenly, a one-week job becomes a three-week headache.
The Real Cost of Solar Fastener Shortage
When fasteners go out of stock, EPC companies don’t just lose time.
They lose:
Installation days
Labour efficiency
Client confidence
Cash flow
Project reputation
One missing carton of nuts or washers can hold up an entire rooftop or ground-mount project
The problem is simple:
Fasteners are treated as small items.
But they control the biggest milestone: installation speed.
Why BOQs Fail to Convert into Actual Material on Site
Solar fastener shortages usually happen because:
Hardware orders are placed after structure orders
Procurement depends on one supplier only
No buffer stock is maintained
No firm dispatch commitment is taken
BOQs aren’t verified against warehouse availability
Sizes like M8, M10, M12 are underestimated
Quality replacement takes extra time when wrong grades arrive
When one item becomes backordered, the entire BOQ becomes useless.
The Sizes That Cause the Most Trouble
Most delayed solar projects suffer shortages on the same sizes:
• M8 bolts and washers
• M10 HDG bolt sets
• M12 anchor bolts
• Spring washers
• SS304 fasteners
• HDG nuts
• Flat and rectangular washers
These are small items — but they control every joint on your structure.
How Smart EPC Teams Avoid Project Stoppages
Teams that move faster do a few simple things better:
✔ Finalize fastener specs before structure procurement
✔ Maintain minimum stock for daily sizes
✔ Lock supply schedules
✔ Avoid buying only on price
✔ Track fasteners weekly like modules
✔ Split orders between suppliers
✔ Verify stock before releasing BOQ
✔ Insist on packing lists per set
✔ Demand batch-wise availability confirmation
Fasteners are not consumables.
They are project-critical components.
Final Thought
No solar project is late because of “just one washer”.
It’s late because that washer never arrived.
If you want smoother installs,
fewer excuses,
and less daily stress on site…
Start taking fasteners as seriously as panels.