Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Environmental Stewardship
• Social Responsibility
• Governance
• Supply Chain Responsibility

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions intensity by nearly 40% in 2019.
• Reduced manufacturing energy intensity by 36% compared to 2018.
• Reduced manufacturing water intensity by 46% compared to 2018.
• Reduced manufacturing waste intensity by 15% compared to 2018.
• Achieved >90% material recovery rate in module recycling.
• Series 6 modules have up to 6 times lower carbon footprint, up to 24 times lower water footprint, and up to 4 times faster energy payback time than conventional crystalline silicon solar panels.

Social Achievements

• Launched a global Sustainability Ambassadors program.
• Global recordable injury rate 6 times lower than the glass manufacturing industry average.
• Donated more than $510,000 in 2019 in cash and in-kind contributions.
• Established Global Women’s Network (GLOW).

Governance Achievements

• Revised Nominating and Governance Committee Charter to emphasize seeking qualified women and minority candidates for the Board.
• Implemented Global Anti-Corruption Policy and periodic anti-corruption training for all associates.
• Adherence to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and all other applicable local anti-corruption laws.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on operations and communities.
• Need to improve inclusion and diversity practices.
• Increased waste generation due to expansion of manufacturing facilities.

Mitigation Strategies

• Implemented sweeping measures to inhibit the spread of COVID-19.
• Donated PPE and other tools to first responders.
• Implemented numerous preventative hygiene and safety measures.
• Actively working to increase racial, gender, and ethnic diversity.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 5 suppliers assessed in 2019

Responsible Procurement

• Rigorous supplier qualification process focusing on Quality, Cost, Flexibility, Service, Technology, and Sustainability.
• Use of Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct as a framework for EHS supplier audits.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Core Sustainability Reporting Standard

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001

Third-party Assurance: Limited assurance for Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions in 2018.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Series 6 modules

Awards & Recognition

• Joint winner of PV Magazine’s inaugural Sustainability Award
• A- from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Circular Economy
• Responsible Sourcing
• Inclusion, Diversity & Belonging
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced GHG emissions intensity by 11% in 2022
• Reduced manufacturing energy intensity by 8% in 2022
• Reduced manufacturing water intensity by 20% in 2022
• Reduced manufacturing waste intensity by 28% in 2022
• Recycled more than 169 million liters of water in 2022
• Achieved platinum status in RBA VAP audits at US and Vietnam facilities
• Series 7 module has a carbon and water footprint nearly four times lower than conventional crystalline silicon modules manufactured in China

Social Achievements

• Increased racial and ethnic diversity of the Board of Directors to 33%
• No pay gap across all regions based on 2022 assessment
• Launched global internal Sustainability Ambassadors program
• Recordable injury rate decreased by 82% since 2008
• Donated more than $619,000 in 2022 in cash and in-kind contributions

Governance Achievements

• Established ESG Steering Committee reporting to the Board of Directors
• Implemented a robust change management system (CMS) to ensure product changes do not negatively impact product safety, reliability, environmental footprint or recyclability
• Joined the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) in 2021

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Achieving 100% renewable energy goal in Malaysia and Vietnam by 2028 due to lack of offsite renewable energy options
• Unethical recruitment practices identified at Malaysian facility through RBA VAP audit

Mitigation Strategies

• Exploring ways to achieve near-term science-based target, including 100% renewable energy in US and India and 30% energy efficiency increase
• Working with onsite service providers in Malaysia to return passports and unlawfully retained wages, and develop a reimbursement plan for recruitment fees

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 100% of new suppliers assessed using social and environmental criteria; 3 onsite audits in 2022

Responsible Procurement

• Compliance with applicable laws and regulations, RBA Code of Conduct
• Zero tolerance for forced labor

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Core Sustainability Reporting Standards

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001, EPEAT Silver (Series 6 and Series 6 Plus)

Third-party Assurance: Limited assurance for Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Series 7 module

Awards & Recognition

• FTSE4Good Index Series (2023)
• Best ESG Companies of 2022 (Investor's Business Daily)
• America’s Most Responsible Companies (Newsweek and Statista)
• AA (Leader) Rating (MSCI ESG Research)
• Prime Rating (ISS ESG)
• Global Challenges Index (2022)
• Productivity-Linked Wage Systems Award (Malaysia)
• CDP Climate Change A- rating (2022)
• Ohio EPA Encouraging Environmental Excellence PLATINUM Award (2021)
• EPEAT Silver Rating (2021)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Responsible Sourcing and Human Rights
• Circular Economy
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced manufacturing water intensity by 6% compared to 2022
• Reduced manufacturing waste intensity by 23% compared to 2022
• Recycled 318 million liters of water in 2023 (88% increase over 2022)
• Achieved a 95% global average module material recovery rate
• Series 6 Plus and Series 7 TR1 products became the world’s first PV modules to meet EPEAT’s ultra-low-carbon solar criteria and achieve EPEAT Silver with Climate+ designation.
• Opened the first operational solar recycling plant in India

Social Achievements

• Increased women in workforce by 3% compared to 2022
• Achieved Platinum status (highest possible RBA rating) at manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Vietnam, and Malaysia
• Donated more than $520,000 in 2023 in total cash and in-kind contributions through the Global Charitable Giving Program
• No gender pay gap across all regions

Governance Achievements

• 30% of Board of Directors seats occupied by women; 50% diverse when considering gender, ethnicity, and racial diversity
• Integrated goals and measures for ensuring diversity, inclusion, and belonging throughout the company
• No human rights concerns reported in 2023 via the Ethics Hotline

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Increased absolute scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions due to doubled production capacity since 2020
• Potential supply chain disruptions due to climate events affecting suppliers
• Potential adverse effects on customers due to climate events damaging solar module installations
• Disruptions in the supply chain for CdTe and other key raw materials

Mitigation Strategies

• Implementing various raw material management strategies and continually evaluating new suppliers
• Entering into long-term supply agreements
• Implementing demand and supply side strategies for various raw materials, including efforts to reduce material intensity per watt, strategic reserve management, and maximizing material recovery at end-of-life through high-value recycling
• Separating manufacturing capabilities across several buildings and purchasing insurance to cover losses from natural disasters
• Research and development programs to improve module durability and extended reliability testing
• Commitment to 100% renewable energy across global operations by 2028

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 18 on-site audits in 2023

Responsible Procurement

• Compliance with applicable laws and regulations, RBA Code of Conduct
• Zero tolerance for forced labor, human trafficking, and child labor

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Extreme weather events (flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes) affecting manufacturing operations
• Supply chain disruptions due to weather events
• Adverse effects on customers due to site damage

Transition Risks

• Disruptions in supply chain for raw materials
• Increased cost of electricity

Opportunities

• Increased demand for solar products due to climate mitigation strategies
• Expansion of global manufacturing capacity
• Government support programs (e.g., Inflation Reduction Act)

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, ESRS, TCFD

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001

Third-party Assurance: Limited assurance for Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Series 7 module with lower carbon and water footprint than previous models

Awards & Recognition

• America’s Most Responsible Companies (Newsweek and Statista)
• Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations (Corporate Knights)
• CDP Climate Change and Water Security Leadership
• FTSE4Good Index Series
• MSCI ESG Research AA Rating
• ISS ESG Rating AA
• Sustainalytics Low Risk ESG Rating