Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI)

📰 International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)’s new report features the SSI!  The report “Solar PV supply chains: Technical and #ESG standards for market integration” emphasizes the need for harmonised technical standards across the entire solar PV supply chain.  According to the report “Regarding the emerging ESG requirements, the PV industry must address several gaps in the methodology”  and underlines that “Currently, different markets are following their own protocols with regard to how data exchanges should occur, resulting in fragmentation and a lower ability to cater to demand responses”.    At SSI, we are dedicated to addressing sustainability and traceability issues within the global solar value chain. We look forward to addressing these challenges and are grateful for the analysis provided by IRENA.    👉 Download the report (free): https://lnkd.in/gTzvYU5a #SolarStewardshipInitiative #SolarManufacturing #Standards #ESG #Traceability #Sustainability #SolarIndustry #RenewableEnergy #SupplyChainTransparency #SolarEnergy

We look forward to seeing you at the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) flagship Conference #SolarIreland2024.

🌍 Last week, our Head of Secretariat Alexia Ruvoletto had the pleasure of attending Solar & Storage Live 🇬🇧 in Birmingham. Together with a great panel, she had the opportunity to assess the progress of the #SolarStewardshipInitiative (SSI) during its first year of operation.   Here's a quick update on what's in the pipeline before the year ends: ✅ SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard: Alongside the SSI ESG Standard, this will enhance supply chain transparency and ensure that solar panels are sourced and produced ethically. ✅ SSI Buyers Guide: Designed to help companies of all sizes conduct due diligence using the SSI framework. ✅ Multi-Stakeholder Board: Ensuring SSI remains robust, credible, and accountable to all stakeholders, not just industry players. ✅ First ESG Assessments: On track to be completed soon.   Many thanks to Terrapinn UK for the invitation and the panellists for an insightful session. #SolarStewardshipInitiative #SolarManufacturing #Standards #ESG #Traceability #Sustainability #SolarIndustry #RenewableEnergy  #SupplyChainTransparency #SolarEnergy

📢 Last Call 📢   Don't miss out on the Solar Stewardship Initiative Webinar on the new Supply Chain Traceability Standard! 🌞   Join us for an insightful session to dive deep into the details and share practical guidance on the new standard, a crucial step in showing precisely where materials in the solar value chain come from and how they are traced, to continue developing confidence in how, where, and by whom solar products are manufactured.   🗓️ Date: Wednesday 4th of September 2024 ⏰ Time: 14:00 CET   🔗 Register now and be part of the change: https://lnkd.in/d4xTK3ew   Please note our public consultation is open and will run until Monday 21st of October 2024, 23:59 CET. We invite NGOs, civil society, and industry stakeholders to join the webinar and provide feedback. To access the draft standard and share comments, follow https://lnkd.in/drdB9pTK.   #solarstewardshipinitiative #solarmanufacturing #standards #ESG #traceability #sustainability #solarIndustry #supplychain #webinar #renewableenergy

📢 New Milestone Achieved! ☀️ The first draft of the SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard is out: https://lnkd.in/drdB9pTK This is a crucial step in showing precisely where materials in the solar value chain come from and how they are traced. With the combination of the SSI ESG and SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standards, stakeholders along the solar value chain will be reassured that the silicon used in the solar modules was produced responsibly. We invite NGOs, civil society, and industry stakeholders to provide feedback through our public consultation which will run until 21 October. 📅 Join us on 4 September for a webinar to discuss the draft. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/d4xTK3ew #solarstewardshipinitiative #solarmanufacturing #standards #ESG #traceability #sustainability

🌟 Once again, Intersolar Europe was legendary! 🌟 Exciting developments are on the horizon, and while I can't reveal everything just yet, I want to share some teasers from this incredible event. Here are the highlights: 1️⃣ We had a fantastic Board meeting of the Global Solar Council (GSC) with all Board members represented in person from around the world. 🌍 Our discussion on supply chains and trade was insightful and certainly to be continued. The GSC is also launching new workstreams on financing, grids, and skills. 2️⃣ Another great Board meeting, this time of the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI). 🌞 We tackled some complicated discussions and made milestone decisions on strategic matters like supply chain coverage and stakeholder engagement. Announcements expected later in 2024! 3️⃣ The annual Global Associations Workshop, co-organised with BSW – Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft e.V. and the Global Solar Council, was a hit with over 30 solar associations from around the globe. I had the honor of giving welcome words on behalf of SolarPower Europe. I think I sounded like a broken record to those who had heard me in Shanghai, but I reiterated the solar sectors‘ responsibility to deliver two-thirds of the global #3xRenewables 11TW target agreed at #COP28. 🌐 #Time4Action 4️⃣ I had the privilege to join several international roundtables with delegations from the United States 🇺🇸, India 🇮🇳 and South Africa 🇿🇦 to discuss bilateral cooperation with the EU 🇪🇺🤝 5️⃣ Engaged in numerous bilateral discussions with members and partners, many of whom were European solar equipment manufacturers and technology providers. I can't publicly announce why yet, but we're brewing something exciting here—watch this space! 🚀 6️⃣ And, of course, the traditional SolarPower Europe booth party on Thursday evening was epic as always! 🎉 1️⃣ Bonus highlight: It was a pleasure welcoming Stacy J. Ettinger from the Solar Energy Industries Association and discussing bilateral solar cooperation opportunities between our organisations. 🌞🇺🇸🇪🇺 Attached are some photos to capture these memorable moments! 📸

💃 Back from the Debutante Ball: SSI debuts at Intersolar Europe! 🌞 Last week saw the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) debut at Intersolar Europe, the yearly solar industry trade show in Munich, Germany (18-21 June). We made the most out of the event with back-to-back meetings, an insightful presentation at the Intersolar conference, and our first in-person SSI Board meeting. During this time, we started to set out the strategic goals for the initiative's growth in the upcoming years. 👭 Reuniting with 3 out of 4 members of the SSI Secretariat was a highlight, as we collaborated closely to engage with new members and strengthen ties with existing ones. 📊 We're setting up the SSI to be not only a driving force for change but also as a tool to measure progress and keep the industry accountable. As with many things in life, you can't improve what you don't measure! 🌳 🤲 While ESG and sustainability are clearly recognised as crucial topics for companies in the solar industry, we can do much more if we unite our efforts. Together, we can pave the way for a transparent and sustainable value chain, enabling a just transition for all. 👉 And if you're still on the fence about joining the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI), come talk to us! #TheSmarterE #Intersolar #eesEvents #Sustainability #Justtransition #ESG SolarPower Europe Solar Energy UK

📢 The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) is heading to Intersolar Europe! 🌞 Join us at the ICM - International Congress Center, Room 14A, for the session "Solar & Sustainability: All About ESG Considerations & Transparency Along the Solar Supply Chain." 🌍🔍 I am excited to present this pioneering project and our vision for a more sustainable and transparent solar value chain. I'll be diving into the details of how the SSI works and why you should get involved! Looking forward to meeting you all there! #solarstewardshipinitiative #solarsupplychains #ESG #justransition #TheSmarterE #Intersolar #eesEvents #Power2Drive #EMPower

📣 “Europe’s solar manufacturing targets are at risk. In recent months we’ve seen the prices of solar components plummet to record lows 📉    We must forge a new path forward.” 🌍    Our Policy Director Dries Acke outlines the solar sector's message with balanced solutions to support our industry: ➡ State Aid to support the running costs of factories ➡ Create resilience auctions and procurement under the Net-Zero Industry Act ➡ An EU Solar Manufacturing Bank ➡ Swiftly adopt market standards that reflect Europe's ESG values   ❌ We strongly push back against trade defense measures.   Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eyyGZ7Uv   #MakeSolarEU #SolarManufacturing

🤔 Do you have questions about the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI)?   It’s the 🆕 supply chain assurance scheme dedicated to #solar PV.   We now have the SSI ESG Standard as the rigorous, solar-specific, tool that independent assessors will use to evaluate ✍ a solar production site’s #ESG performance.   ☀ With this independent assessment, you can demonstrate your company’s commitment and action in producing & sourcing solar materials responsibly.   2024 will bring the SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard, enabling deeper transparent sourcing and a responsible chain of custody 🔗   SSI membership is your chance to get involved in these sector-defining Standards from their very inception. Membership of the SSI will also support your company’s preparation for upcoming legislation 🧾   More good news ➡ Since its beginning, the SSI has secured the endorsement of the global financial community, through the IFC - International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).   Join our webinar on Thursday 9th November at 14:00 CET to hear more 👇 https://lnkd.in/eia-Wqzi Speakers include: Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO, SolarPower Europe Chris Hewett, CEO, Solar Energy UK Alexia Ruvoletto, Senior Policy Advisor on Trade, SolarPower Europe Guido Agostinelli, Solar Sector Lead, Global Energy Infrastructure IFC - International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) Dr. Michael Koebele, LL.M., Director of Compliance, JA Solar Phil Bloomer, Executive Director of Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Susannah Wood, VP Public Affairs and Sustainability for Europe, Statkraft The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) is brought to you by SolarPower Europe, Solar Energy UK, and supported by TDi Sustainability