These independent, third-party assessments, conducted by auditors at key solar production sites, mark a significant step forward in the SSI mission to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible practices across the solar value chain.
The ESG assessments evaluate production sites against the SSI ESG Standard, which addresses areas such as labour practices, environmental stewardship, and supply chain governance. Additional assessments are planned for January and February 2025, with more expected to be scheduled on a rolling basis throughout 2025 and beyond as more companies join the SSI. The planned ESG assessments from Q4 2024 through Q1 2025 collectively represent an annual module production capacity of 100 GW and an annual cell production capacity of 20 GW, reflecting the significant scale of the initiative’s impact on the solar value chain.
Two Trinasolar`s manufacturing facilities certified
Trinasolar’s Chinese manufacturing facilities in Yancheng Dafeng and Yiwu have been certified against the Solar Stewardship Initiative’s new ESG Standard. This would come following a comprehensive third-party audit by the independent certification body TÜV SÜD, which was carried out on-site at Trinasolar’s Yancheng Dafeng and Yiwu factories, according to the company.
Also see: SolarPower Europe – landmark Solar Sustainability report released
To maintain high transparency standards, the SSI will regularly be publishing the summary results of the ESG certifications here, offering stakeholders valuable insights into the performance and progress of the solar sector.
Alongside the ESG Standard, the SSI has also developed its Supply Chain Traceability Standard, which focuses on tracing materials across the solar value chain. The first traceability assessments are scheduled to begin in 2025, further enhancing accountability within the sector.
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The SSI is working with members and stakeholders to extend both ESG and Traceability assessments to upstream sites, including polysilicon production and beyond, to enable a fully certified Chain of Custody for solar modules in the future.
About the SSI
The SSI is a leading multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to fostering responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship in the solar value chain. It unites industry leaders, civil society, and independent experts to set new benchmarks for sustainability and accountability in the solar sector. (hcn)
