SolarWorld (SWV.DE) and Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL) received the highest scores among the Top 10 solar manufacturers that participated in the second annual Solar Scorecard, released today by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC).
US companies First Solar (Nasdaq: FSL) and SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWRA) trailed by just a few points in the ranking of more than 40 solar companies based on their social justice and sustainability practices.
In 2010, the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry produced twice as many modules as it did in 2009. This growth is an encouraging step toward addressing the challenge of climate change through renewable energy.
However, there are potential negative environmental and health impacts from PV modules throughout their life cycles, ranging from raw materials extraction and procurement impacts, toxic and hazardous materials use in manufacturing, and the disposal and recycling of modules at the end of their useful lives.
The Solar Scorecard is based on a survey of solar PV manufacturers around the globe. Responding companies are ranked on the following criteria:
- Product Takeback and Recycling
- Worker Health and Safety Issues at PV Facilities and in the
- Supply Chain
- Chemical Use and Lifecycle Analysis
Company Disclosure Statements
SolarWorld received 91 out of 100 points. Trina Solar received 89. First Solar received 87 and SunPower received 85.
Participation in the 2011 Solar Scorecard doubled this year to represent 46.6% of the industry market share, based on solar PV module shipment statistics for 2009.
Below are some of the highlights from the responses of the 15 participating companies.
- 11 PV manufacturers reported that they publicly support a law requiring mandatory takeback and recycling.
- 13 conduct audits and monitor their supply chain for environmental, health, and safety issues.
- 14 report that they do not use prison labor in production.
- 14 have a code of conduct to protect workers.
- Only 2 of the fifteen PV manufacturers report that their products contain no cadmium or lead.
- 5 responding solar PV manufacturers have taken the U.S. EPA’s hazardous waste (TCLP) test, and all have passed (meaning they are not hazardous waste according to the EPA).
- 3 PV manufacturers have taken similar tests administered by the State of California (the TTLC measures total hazardous materials by weight, and the STLC measures the amount of hazardous materials that can leach out). One company failed both tests, while one company failed the TTLC and another failed the STLC. But it is important to note that the remaining 12 manufacturers have not yet taken the California tests; it is therefore still not clear which modules would be considered hazardous waste.
"We need to take action now to reduce the use of toxic chemicals in PV, develop responsible recycling systems, and protect workers throughout the global PV supply chain," the group says on its website.
SVTC says it envisions a safe and sustainable solar PV industry that:
- Takes responsibility for the environmental and health impacts of its products throughout their lifecycles, including adherence to a mandatory policy for responsible recycling.
- Implements and monitors equitable environmental and labor standards throughout product supply chains.
- Pursues innovative approaches to reducing toxic chemicals in PV module manufacturing.
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