Transforming Solar Supply Chains

Goal

The initial scope of Transforming Solar: Supply Chains will focus specifically on the Solar PV Manufacturing value chain, including raw materials, polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells and modules, and associated equipment (eg. Glass, frames, EVA). The initiative will support member and non-member countries in developing resilient supply chain capacity and fostering linkages among global trading partners.

According to IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook, 10 TW of renewable power must be put in place by 2030 worldwide to stay on a 1.5-degree path. To meet that goal, annual capacity additions need to increase threefold. Solar PV has a key role to play. Over 848 GW of Solar PV was in operation by the end of 2021, and over 50% of renewable power generation capacity additions in 2021 were solar PV (133 GW of 260GW). While the efficiency of technologies will surely continue to improve, more manufacturing capacity will be needed to decarbonise the power system and reduce the ecological footprint of supply chains.

Transforming Solar: Supply Chains, is a global initiative to promote the development of Solar Manufacturing worldwide. To meet climate and energy access targets, Solar Manufacturing must increase from ~250 GW today to 950-1250 GW by 2030.

Solar is already the cheapest form of electricity in many countries, and supply chains must become more resilient to ensure all countries have access to this clean and affordable source of power. Supply chains must also move toward low-carbon, high performance and low-cost production to maximize the climate benefits and ensure equitable access for all.

Activities

The initiative is aimed support countries and regions in developing policy and regulation that support local and regional manufacturing ecosystems.

The initiative will aim to boost overall supply chain capacity and resilience by supporting large-scale manufacturing set-up in different regions of the world.

Diversifying Solar Supply Chain

Topics: Critical minerals, raw materials, processing, manufacturing

Goal: Diversification of the solar supply chain is key to cope with ambitious renewable energy targets and to achieve net zero goal.

Lead: India and International Solar Alliance (ISA)

Innovation

Topics: Ultra low-cost, giga-scale deployment/production, low-carbon, recycling/end of life

Goal: Mapping out innovation priorities that make solar PV more affordable and sustainable, with the overall target of boosting solar supply chain diversification.

Lead: Australia, IRENA

Standards & Transparency

Topics: Traceability, Environmental standards, due diligence, ESG, High Environment and Social Standards underpinning the solar supply chains

Goals: Compiling and disseminating best practices, Solar Stewardship Initiative, exchange with other jurisdictions outside EU on standards and traceability requirements, harmonization of standards/transparency

Lead: Germany and IRENA

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Recent events

After the official launch at CEM13 in Pittsburgh, the Transforming Solar Supply Chain community keeps building momentum on the importance of a more diverse and robust solar supply chain, with meetings at COP27 in Egypt and an industry stakeholder roundtable at the IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi.

Community

Resources

Fact Sheet

Publications

Policy Briefs 2023 Building Resilient Global Solar PV Supply Chains

Webinars and past events

Join us

secretariat@cemsecretariat.org