Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Diversity
• Governance
• Social Responsibility
• Supply Chain Management
• Employee Well-being
• Community Investment
• Health and Safety

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced water usage per kW module production by 2.9% from 0.339 m³ in 2018 to 0.329 m³ in 2019.
• Reduced electricity usage per kW module production by 5.2% from 6.17 kWh in 2018 to 5.85 kWh in 2019.
• Reduced CO2 emissions for every kW module production from 318.84 kg in 2018 to 308.96 kg in 2019 and 297.37 kg in 2020.
• Saved about 36,500 tons of water per year through concentrated water recycling.
• Saved about 420,000 tons of tap water per year at Luoyang Wafer Factory through wastewater recycling.
• Saved 13,000 tons/year of steam at Luoyang Wafer Factory by recovering waste heat.
• Recycled 98,954 metric tons of input materials in 2019 (12.69% of total materials used).

Social Achievements

• Created 1,346 new jobs globally in 2019, increasing total employment to 14,346.
• Provided 213,645 training hours to employees in 2019 (average 14.89 hours per employee).
• Donated solar modules for a new solar power system at Evans Medical Center in Sierra Leone.
• Donated solar modules to Collingwood Children’s Farm in Australia.
• Donated solar panels and inverter to Mullumbimby Community Food Box in Australia.
• Supported various community initiatives across six continents.
• Maintained a 35% female representation in the workforce.

Governance Achievements

• Implemented comprehensive policies and guidelines on anti-bribery, anti-corruption, ethics, and compliance.
• Established a fraud prevention system with education and supervision as key elements.
• Complied with relevant anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in all operating countries.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Securing a stable and cost-effective supply of raw materials (polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells).
• Managing the environmental impact of manufacturing operations.
• PV waste management.

Mitigation Strategies

• Entered into long-term supply agreements with various suppliers.
• Implemented EHS management systems and ISO certifications in manufacturing plants.
• Partnered with recycling programs (Reclaim PV Recycling, SEIA PV Recycling Program, Take-e-way, PV Cycle) to manage end-of-life PV modules.
• Implemented water and energy conservation measures in manufacturing facilities.
• Diversified external wafer and polysilicon suppliers.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Long-term supply agreements
• Diversification of suppliers
• Conflict-free mineral sourcing
• Supplier code of conduct

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI G4 CORE, ESG criteria

Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, OHSAS 18001:2007

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• High-efficiency solar modules

Awards & Recognition

• No. 1 bankable module manufacturer (Bloomberg New Energy Finance)
• One of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada (Corporate Knights)
• Excellence Award of Key Projects of Jiangsu Intellectual Property Strategy Promotion Plan
• Finalist of Corporate Deal of the Year (Platts Global Energy Awards)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Environmental Stewardship
• Responsible Supply Chain
• Ethical Labor Practices
• Community Engagement
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced GHG emissions intensity by 16% in cell production
• Reduced year-over-year GHG emissions, energy, water, and waste intensity by 3%, 7%, 30%, and 15% respectively.
• Achieved 123 tCO₂e/MWp GHG emissions intensity, better than the goal of 124 tCO₂e/MWp.
• Reduced manufacturing water intensity by 76 t/MW (~11%).
• Reduced waste intensity by 14% or 1.5 t/MW.

Social Achievements

• Conducted 122 supplier ESG audits.
• Initiated a third-party assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of Anti-Modern Slavery Policy.
• Received a Silver-level recognition from the Responsible Business Alliance Validated Assessment Program (RBA VAP) for its factory in Thailand.
• Implemented a hybrid work policy.
• Offered various types of personal leave beyond legal requirements.

Governance Achievements

• Joined the United Nations Global Compact.
• Received a “Prime” ESG status with a B rating by ISS ESG.
• Received an Excellent rating from Achilles.
• Submitted a commitment letter to SBTi indicating intention to set science-based climate targets.
• Expanded certifications in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Supply chain disruptions
• Increased energy consumption, GHG emissions, water withdrawal, and waste production due to capacity expansion.
• Environmental impact from manufacturing operations (wastewater, air emissions, noise, industrial waste).
• Environmental and ecological impacts from project development (visual impacts, habitat disruption, construction noise).
• Environmental impact from suppliers’ manufacturing activities.

Mitigation Strategies

• Developed alternative sourcing strategies
• Improved manufacturing process efficiency to decrease energy and water consumption, waste generation, and GHG emissions per unit produced.
• Sourcing electricity from renewable energy resources.
• Implementing energy savings projects (total energy savings of 30 GWh in 2022).
• Implementing water-saving initiatives (saved 992,000 tons of water in 2022).
• Implementing ambitious recycling and waste reduction management programs.
• Conducting supply chain ESG audits.
• Integrating environmental and ecological risks into project review and approval process.
• Investing in R&D for module recycling and lifetime extension.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 122/year (17 on-site)

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier Code of Conduct
• ESG auditing program
• Modern slavery risk assessment
• Contractual assurances from suppliers.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Increased costs and administrative responsibilities due to changes in regulations and policies.
• Environmental impact from manufacturing and project development.

Opportunities

• Growing demand for solar modules and battery storage systems.
• Growth of project development business.
• Green financing opportunities.

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD, UNGC

Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, Italian EPD, French ECS

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
• 13 (Climate Action)

Canadian Solar's activities contribute to these SDGs through the production and deployment of solar energy and battery storage solutions.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• High-efficiency N-type TOPCon modules
• Steel framed solar modules
• GFRC framed modules
• Fluoride-free modules
• Extended lifetime solar modules

Awards & Recognition

• Prime ESG rating from ISS ESG
• Excellent rating from Achilles
• Silver-level recognition from RBA VAP
• Green Bond of the Year award from Environmental Finance