Who we are
The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) was set in motion by Solar Power Europe and Solar Energy UK in March 2021, as part of a programme established in 2018 to promote responsible production in the solar value chain.
The official launch of the SSI in September 2022 marks a critical milestone for the solar industry.
Through our strategic Roadmap and Code (being piloted from October 2022 to April 2023), the SSI puts into practice the shared commitment of over 70% of the solar industry to ensure the integrity of their supply chains and improve ESG performance.
Our Mission
Transparency, sustainability, and ESG performance.
Our mission is to enhance end-to-end transparency and create supply chain integrity by continuously improving environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, and contributing to sustainable development along the solar value chain.
our vision
Accelerate the clean energy transition.
Our vision is to accelerate the clean energy transition and deliver real solutions to the climate crisis.
our values
1
Being inclusive in our work and decision-making processes by promoting and enabling the participation of all entities in the solar value chain, wherever they are based geographically and whatever stage they are at along their journey to sustainability.
2
Encouraging collaboration by recognizing existing standards and building partnerships.
3
Promoting good industry practices and keeping our community accountable to their commitments.
4
Communicating openly on the objectives of the Solar Stewardship Initiative and the progress we make.
our Purpose
The Solar Stewardship Initiative works collaboratively with manufacturers, developers, installers and purchasers across the global solar value chain to foster responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of materials.
Over 60 organisations, making up 70% of the solar industry, support the Initiative.
View the full list of our supporters and become a member of our community.
OUR PURPOSE
1
Ensure the energy transition is just, inclusive, and respects people’s human rights.
2
Establish mechanisms to create end-to-end supply-chain transparency, ensuring integrity in the global solar industry, and to establish a Chain of Custody system for product traceability.
3
Enable continuous improvement of ESG performance.
4
Prepare our community for relevant upcoming laws and regulations on responsible supply chains (such as the EU Sustainability Corporate Due Diligence Directive ban on forced labour products).
5
Build the confidence of regulators, customers and business partners in the sustainability of the solar value chain.
4
Prepare our community for relevant upcoming laws and regulations on responsible supply chains (such as the EU Sustainability Corporate Due Diligence Directive ban on forced labour products).
View our Roadmap to Change
GOVERNANCE
The Solar Stewardship Initiative is managed by Solar Power Europe and Solar Energy UK, with the support of TDi Sustainability, a specialist management consulting company.
The management is executed by the Solar Power Europe Supply Chain Transparency Workstream, which is represented by 70 members covering the entire industry: buyers, suppliers, research centres and think tanks, advisory, national industry associations, asset management funds, developers, utilities companies, independent power producers, inverters, raw materials, balance of system.
The Supply Chain Transparency Workstream includes the Coordination team, comprised of Solar Power Europe and Solar Energy UK members, and the Solar Stewardship Initiative Sponsors’ Committee, comprise of approximately 30 sponsors with major market share who contribute financially and lead the work on SSI.
The Solar Stewardship Initiative is in the process of designing a governance structure with multi-stakeholder participation to be announced in January 2023.
Become part of the community
the SSI team
Bethany Meban
Senior Press Advisor
SolarPower Europe
Alexia Ruvoletto
Project Coordinator SolarPower Europe
Máté Heisz
Project Coordinator SolarPower Europe
Bethany Meban
Senior Press Advisor, SolarPower Europe
Kevin McCann
Project Coordinator Solar Energy UK
Giulia Guidi
Co-chair, Representative of the SSI Sponsors for Solar Energy UK
