Two of Trina Solar’s module manufacturing facilities in China have become the first in the solar industry to achieve environmental, social, and governance (ESG) certifications under the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI).
The SSI, launched in 2022, is a pioneering supply chain sustainability assurance program. The initiative requires its members to undergo site-specific ESG assessments conducted by independent third-party auditors, ensuring compliance with its rigorous standards for responsible solar production, sourcing, and stewardship.
According to the SSI, assessments conducted at Trina Solar’s sites resulted in silver-standard ESG certifications being awarded in late 2024. These certifications are prominently featured on the SSI’s website and represent a significant milestone for the solar manufacturing sector.
The SSI revealed plans for further ESG assessments in the coming months, with a rolling schedule expected to cover additional sites throughout the year. These evaluations, scheduled every three years, are part of the initiative’s strategy to promote continuous improvement. The organization also disclosed that assessments conducted between late 2024 and early 2025 will collectively account for an annual module production capacity of 100GW and a cell production capacity of 20GW.
The completion of these first ESG certifications is described by the SSI as a pivotal step in advancing transparency, accountability, and responsible practices across the global solar value chain. The organization noted its commitment to extending ESG and traceability assessments to upstream sites, including polysilicon production facilities, in order to establish a fully certified chain of custody for solar modules.
In December, the SSI introduced a supply chain traceability standard aimed at tracking materials throughout the solar value chain. The first traceability assessments under this standard are expected to commence in 2025, further enhancing the initiative’s efforts to ensure sustainable and ethical solar manufacturing practices.
The SSI’s work underscores a growing industry focus on sustainability and accountability, as stakeholders increasingly prioritize responsible practices in the face of rising global demand for renewable energy.
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