Solar Manufacturers

EPEAT SOLAR MODULAR CARBON THRESHOLDS

While solar modules are known for their carbon-free electricity generation, many are manufactured in ways that limit their overall effectiveness at emissions reduction. Currently, most solar modules can trace 50% to 80% or more of their embodied carbon to these initial steps in their product supply chains. As the energy sector and its clients seek to reduce Scope 3 emissions, they must address the embodied carbon of solar energy.

EPEAT is the only global ecolabel to tackle the often-overlooked issue of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during solar module production, enabling purchasers, developers and investors to lower their overall carbon footprint for this key part of the renewable energy infrastructure. In addition to the required PVMI criteria, solar modules must also meet or surpass a required low-carbon threshold, which can be found in the EPEAT Ultra Low Carbon Threshold criteria. This second set of criteria do not apply to solar inverters.

This second set of solar module criteria also contains a lower optional carbon threshold manufactures can meet.

400

kg CO₂e /kWp

Optional: Ultra-Low Carbon Solar

Solar Modules that meet this threshold qualify for the EPEAT Climate+ ™ product designation.

For a 100 MW project, installing EPEAT registered solar modules is estimated to reduce up to 45,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, which translates to removing over 10,000 gasoline powered cars from the road for one year.

GEC CLIMATE+ PLEDGE

The GEC Climate+ Pledge seeks to harness the purchasing power of organizations committed to tracking and reducing their carbon footprint associated with electronic products. The pledge brings together the leadership and influence of these organizations to reduce the climate impacts of electronic products. By signing this pledge, participants become integral members of a thriving community of climate leaders and advocates.

Understanding that organizations contribute in different ways, this pledge will consist of two primary groups of signatories: EPEAT Climate+ Purchasing Leaders and EPEAT Climate+ Purchasing Advocates. Purchasing Leaders are organizations committed to purchasing Climate+ Products, while Purchasing Advocates are Organizations and Individuals Advocating and Promoting EPEAT Climate+ Products.