First Solar announced that its Series 6 Plus and Series 7 TR1 photovoltaic (PV) solar modules have achieved the EPEAT Climate+ designation, establishing a new benchmark for the solar technology and manufacturing industry.
EPEAT ecolabel includes validation and allows for the identification of environmentally preferable products from socially responsible companies. EPEAT addresses the whole product life cycle, including managing substances in the product, manufacturing energy and water use, product packaging, end-of-life recycling, corporate responsibility, and human rights.
EPEAT Climate+ makes EPEAT the global ecolabel to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the different stages of solar module production, and products receiving the designation must meet the ultra-low carbon threshold of ≤400 kg CO2e/kWp.
EPEAT Climate+ helps purchasers quickly identify technology products designed and manufactured with climate change mitigation in mind, allowing them to reduce scope 3 emissions of solar installations.
“EPEAT Climate+ helps ensure that purchasers and investors are able to prioritize ultra-low carbon solar technologies that meaningfully support decarbonization efforts,” said Bob Mitchell, chief executive officer, Global Electronics Council (GEC). “This is a simple, yet effective tool to mitigate lifecycle carbon impacts of solar modules, while enabling a market for responsibly manufactured technologies that embody sustainability.”
“With EPEAT Climate+, our customers now benefit from a global standard that allows them to confidently procure solar modules that lower their scope 3 emissions and are responsibly made. We encourage other manufacturers to embrace this global validation standard and contribute to the effort to reinforce our industry’s license to operate,” Samantha Sloan, vice president of Policy, Sustainability, and Marketing, First Solar, said.