First Solar, a solar photovoltaic (PV) systems designer and manufacturer, has won an award in the Environmental category in the 2024 Power Technology Excellence Awards for its groundbreaking achievements in solar technology.
The Power Technology Excellence Awards honor the most significant achievements and innovations in the medical devices industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies leading change and shaping the future of the industry.
First Solar won the award for achieving the EPEAT Climate+ designation for its Series 6 Plus and Series 7 solar modules, setting a new global standard for ultra-low carbon solar technology. This recognition underscores First Solar’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of solar modules and supporting global decarbonization efforts.
Achieving EPEAT Climate+ designation: A global benchmark
First Solar’s Series 6 Plus and Series 7 solar modules have become the first PV solar modules to achieve the EPEAT Climate+ designation, a globally recognized ecolabel evaluating the embodied carbon in solar modules. This achievement sets a new benchmark for the solar technology and manufacturing industry, highlighting First Solar’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The EPEAT Climate+ designation requires products to meet an ultra-low carbon threshold of ≤400 kg CO2e/kWp, ensuring that they significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions during production.
The EPEAT Climate+ ecolabel is unique in its comprehensive approach, addressing the entire product life cycle. This includes not only the carbon emissions during manufacturing but also factors such as energy and water use, product packaging, and end-of-life recycling. By achieving this designation, First Solar’s modules are recognized as environmentally preferable products, allowing purchasers and investors to prioritize ultra-low carbon solar technologies that support decarbonization efforts. This recognition reinforces First Solar’s industry leadership and encourages similar standards adoption, promoting a market for responsibly manufactured solar technologies.
Innovative thin film PV modules: Setting industry standards
First Solar’s advanced thin film PV modules have set industry benchmarks for quality, durability, reliability, design, and environmental performance. The Series 7 modules, in particular, have the lowest carbon and water footprint among commercially available PV modules. This innovation underscores First Solar’s dedication to developing technologies that are not only efficient but also environmentally sustainable.
The company’s focus on reducing the embodied carbon in its products addresses a significant challenge in the solar industry. Traditional solar modules often have a substantial carbon footprint due to the energy-intensive processes involved in their production. First Solar’s thin film technology, however, uses less material and energy, resulting in a lower overall environmental impact. By providing solar modules that lower scope 3 emissions, First Solar enables its customers to confidently procure products that align with their sustainability goals. This commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship distinguishes First Solar from its competitors and solidifies its position as a leader in the renewable energy sector.
Supporting global decarbonization efforts
First Solar’s achievements in ultra-low carbon solar technology contribute significantly to global decarbonization efforts. By setting a new standard for solar module production, the company reduces lifecycle carbon impacts and promotes the adoption of sustainable energy solutions worldwide. The EPEAT Climate+ designation serves as a simple yet effective tool for purchasers and investors to identify and prioritize technologies that meaningfully support climate change mitigation.
First Solar’s efforts not only support the transition to renewable energy but also encourage other manufacturers to embrace global validation standards. This collective movement towards responsible manufacturing practices is crucial for achieving a low-carbon future and addressing the pressing challenges of climate change. By reinforcing the industry’s commitment to sustainability, First Solar plays a pivotal role in driving the global energy transition.
Company Profile
First Solar Inc (First Solar) is a provider of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. It designs, manufactures and sells PV solar modules. The company produces solar systems using cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology. First Solar also offers solar PV power systems, and operational and maintenance services to system owners. First Solar’s proprietary, vertically integrated process converts glass sheets into solar panels. The company serves utilities, commercial and industrial companies, independent power producers, and other system owners in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America. The company has solar module manufacturing facilities in the US, Malaysia, and Vietnam. First Solar is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, the US.
Contact Details
350 West Washington Street, Suite 600
Tempe, Arizona 85288 USA
Email: media@firstsolar.com
Links
Website: https://www.firstsolar.com/
