Brussels, 10 December 2025 - The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI), the global standard for ensuring the sustainable design, development, manufacturing and distribution of solar photovoltaic (PV) products, announced today the release of the Solar Supply Chain Guide, which is a complete set of guidelines, providing the solar industry with a series of steps for installing and operating sustainably through the use of SSI ESG and Traceability Standards at every stage in the production process from the point of origin to the point of sale.
The SSI was launched by Solar Power Europe and Solar Energy UK in recognition of the need for the solar PV industry to have an effective way of addressing the supply chains of solar PV products by addressing all aspects of the governance of solar PV supply chains. With over 60 organizations backing its inception and endorsements from major financial institutions like the International Finance Corporation and the European Investment Bank, the SSI has rapidly become a central pillar in the industry's ESG architecture.
From Standards to Action: A Practical Guide for Industry Transformation
A recently released guide has now been published that translates the SSI Standards into an actionable format that independent assessors use to judge whether companies are meeting their robust sustainability requirements. This guide also goes beyond simply creating a theoretical framework for companies to implement; it gives manufacturers, developers and purchasers from across the product life cycle specific actions they can take. The primary goal of this material is to support a Just Energy Transition in which all human rights are upheld, provide a detailed, transparent process for creating a fully transparent supply chain, and facilitate continual development of an organisation's ESG performance.
A cornerstone of the guide is its focus on preparing the industry for imminent, stringent regulations. "The SSI is working with members to ensure the solar industry is prepared for upcoming laws and regulations on ESG, transparency, responsible supply chains and corporate environmental and human rights due diligence," the initiative states. It's important to get ready because the rules from the SSI's board say you'll need to follow them to sell in important markets soon. Industry reports show that by January 1, 2027, at least 80% of PV modules sold in Europe, Switzerland, and the UK must come from SSI-certified factories. By 2028, this will be a 100% thing.
Strategic Industry Adoption and Collaborative Governance
The initiative's relevance is underscored by the rapid and strategic adoption by major global manufacturers. Leading Chinese solar companies have been particularly active, viewing SSI alignment as integral to their international strategy. Tongwei, a global PV giant, formally announced its membership in June 2025, with its Chief Sustainability Officer Dr. Zihan Zhu stating the move was "an important step in deepening Tongwei's international strategy and fulfilling corporate responsibility". Shortly after, in September 2025, Huasun New Energy joined as the first manufacturer focused exclusively on heterojunction technology, highlighting the standard's relevance across different technological pathways.
These companies are not merely seeking certification; they are engaging in the SSI's collaborative governance model. The SSI is governed by a Board and a Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG), the latter designed to incorporate diverse perspectives from civil society, academia, and independent experts. Members are encouraged to participate in working groups that develop new standards, such as the forthcoming Supply Chain Traceability Standard. This model fosters what industry leaders describe as essential collaboration. As emphasized during a recent investor forum hosted by Jinko Solar in London, "collaboration across all segments of the value chain is critical to achieving meaningful sustainability and traceability".
Building a Sustainable Future for Solar Energy
The publication of this guide marks a significant maturation point for the solar industry. As the world's fastest-growing energy source, solar's environmental credentials are paramount. The SSI provides a unified, industry-backed mechanism to prove these credentials, moving from vague promises to verifiable, audited performance.
The initiative's scope is also set to expand. While currently focused on the PV panel supply chain, plans are in place to broaden its coverage to other critical solar components in the near future. Additionally, as discussed at various industry events, the principles are also anticipated to create an impact on other sectors that may be considered complementary to these major industries such as the rapidly expanding BESS sector, since BESS must follow the ESG guidelines that PV has set.
Additionally, as discussed at various industry events, the principles are also anticipated to create an impact on other sectors that may be considered complementary to these major industries such as the rapidly expanding BESS sector, since BESS must follow the ESG guidelines that PV has set.
