The SSI brings together companies and stakeholders from across the global solar value chain to foster responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of materials.
The Initiative establishes SSI Standards, fusing international standards, industry and civil society expertise, and political acumen, to deliver a supply chain sustainability solution tailored to the business of solar.
The SSI Standards are used by independent assessors to evaluate compliance with robust sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria within companies active in the solar value chain.
The SSI was set in motion by SolarPower Europe and Solar Energy UK in March 2021, as part of a workstream established in 2015 to promote sustainable production in the solar value chain.
With the backing over 60 solar organisations at its inception, the SSI is the only holistic sustainable supply chain solution with the support of a majority market share of the solar PV industry.
The SSI also enjoys the endorsement of the International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of the World Bank Group) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Ensure the energy transition is just, inclusive, and respects human rights
Establish mechanisms to create supply-chain transparency, ensuring integrity in the global solar industry
Enable continuous improvement of ESG performance
Prepare the industry for relevant upcoming laws and regulations on ESG, transparency and responsible supply chains.
Build the confidence of regulators, customers and business partners in the sustainability of the solar value chain.
Currently, the SSI is governed by the SSI Board and Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG).
The SSI Board, appointed for two years, is the primary decision-making body. Comprising of associations and industry representatives initially, it will evolve into a multi-stakeholder Board later in 2024. Industry representatives of the first Board appointed in November 2023 will be drawn from the founding members of the SSI.
The Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG), an integral part of SSI Governance, will represent diverse perspectives from civil society, academia, independent experts, and other relevant non-industry stakeholders. SAG members will advise the SSI Board on various aspects, ensuring a holistic approach to decision-making.
Various SSI working groups and committees will be established to facilitate targeted discussions and actions in line with our mission. For example, new Standards, such as the SSI Supply Chain Traceability Standard, will be developed in working groups.
