(Reuters) – Two of the world’s largest photo voltaic panel makers, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells, have grow to be the primary to register merchandise underneath the environmental rankings system most popular for US authorities purchases, an trade group mentioned.
Combined, the businesses have seven merchandise that meet the EPEAT customary developed by the Global Electronics Council, in accordance with Qcells, the GEC and the Ultra Low-Carbon Solar Alliance, a photo voltaic trade group.
The Biden administration has established guidelines that require federal consumers to maximise their use of sustainable merchandise, outlined as compliance with third-party requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) final 12 months.
The EPEAT customary for photo voltaic panels is a kind of beneficial by the company. To obtain the EPEAT label, producers should meet standards for environment friendly use of electrical energy and water, recycled content material, disclosure of elements utilized in manufacturing, well being and employee security and so forth.
Manufacturing panels within the United States helps decrease the carbon depth of merchandise. Both First Solar and Qcells have manufacturing amenities within the US.
The distinction will assist First Solar and Qcells grow to be the go-to suppliers for federal initiatives, that are anticipated to be a serious supply of demand for photo voltaic panels. As a part of his local weather change agenda, President Joe Biden has set a purpose to decarbonize federal buildings by 2045, together with a 50% discount by 2032.
The administration earlier this 12 months, for instance, mentioned it could set up photo voltaic panels on the Department of Defense’s Pentagon headquarters in Virginia.
“The EPEAT ecolabel makes it simpler for purchasers who worth transparency and sustainability to search out our merchandise and work with us,” Qcells’ senior director of sustainability, Kelly Weger, mentioned in a press release.
“Beyond business and residential clients, this now means our USA assembled and sustainably produced photo voltaic merchandise may also help the federal authorities meet its bold local weather targets.”
Several different producers are within the technique of registering their photo voltaic panels underneath the usual, in accordance with Bob Mitchell, chief government of the Global Electronics Council.
“With rising demand from international consumers for responsibly produced panels, we count on important progress amongst taking part corporations within the coming months,” Mitchell mentioned.
(Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by Stephern Coates)