REC Solar Reports Surge in ESG Interest Among Residential Customers, Doubling Compliance Requests from 2022 to 2023.

Rec Solar, a module manufacturer, has reported that interest in ESG for solar PV is growing in the residential market, with customers becoming more interested in these aspects and asking manufacturers about their ESG considerations. Cemil Seber, VP of global marketing, product management & corporate strategies at REC Solar, stated that customers are now asking manufacturers for ESG compliance, doubling their requests from 2022 to 2023. The industry is working towards having more ESG-friendly solar panels, such as the removal of lead from its modules, and working towards reducing energy, water, waste, and performance and longevity. However, Seber noted that while ESG consideration continues to increase, it is not yet the most important factor in procuring a module, over the performance of it or its price, but is an important aspect. The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) published one ESG standard in October 2023 based on existing international standards.