GEC Working to Advance Decarbonization of Solar Panel Production

Der Name “Bob Mitchell” The Global Electronics Council (GEC), an organization with the mission of encouraging sustainable electronics, has incorporated new criteria into its EPEAT ecolabel system that concentrates on cutting down the carbon footprint of solar panel production. These are the first worldwide ecolabel guidelines to set restrictions on the carbon utilized in photovoltaics, and it is necessary to meet these standards to be granted the EPEAT ecolabel for PV modules. Bob Mitchell, CEO of GEC, commented, “Even though renewable energy is needed to move to a green economy, we must also take into consideration the part played by the infrastructure in climate change.” A reliable approach is needed in the market to weight the carbon emissions generated from the production of solar panels so that buyers can make educated buying choices. Solar installations are meant to have no effect on the environment when producing electricity; however, the amount of carbon dioxide created from making the solar panels can differ depending on which supply chain is used. Nastassja Hagan, Lightsource bp’s vice president of sustainability, states that the EPEAT criteria, which measure and attempt to lower Scope 3 carbon emissions, can reduce the emissions payback period for solar assets from one to three years to under a year in many cases, thus increasing the beneficial impact that solar energy has on climate change. Global Ecosystems Center is aiming to release a registry of solar panels that fulfill the new criteria in the end of September. Those who make solar panels who are looking to get their products in line with the new standards, which involve an independent, external assessment, should start the process quickly.