SSI introduces new binding targets and reporting rules to enhance ESG compliance and traceability for solar manufacturing
80% of solar PV modules entering Europe by 2027 will need to comply with ESG & supply chain traceability certification, and 100% by 2028
Starting April 2026, SSI members must disclose site details, capacities, and certification timelines for transparency
The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI), a global assurance program for the solar supply chain, has introduced new binding targets and reporting rules for PV manufacturers. It says that these measures will enable it to track and verify progress and enhance accountability to governments, investors, buyers, and civil society.
According to the new rules, approved by the SSI Multi-stakeholder Board, solar PV modules set to enter the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and the UK will now need to come from manufacturing sites that are certified against both the SSI Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG), as well as Supply Chain Traceability Standards.
Specifically, this means that by January 1, 2027, at least 80% of solar modules entering the region should come from SSI-certified sites. This share should expand to 100% by January 1, 2028.
Under the new reporting standards, SSI members are required to inform the SSI secretariat of a list and location of all their operational production sites, the annual production capacity of each site, and the planned dates and results of SSI ESG and Supply Chain Traceability assessments for each operational module site. These reporting standards will take effect from April 1, 2026.
The SSI says it plans to provide an anonymized, aggregated report of the information received.
“By setting clear, measurable goals and requiring transparent reporting across all manufacturing facilities, the SSI is accelerating progress toward full ESG and traceability assurance in solar,” said SSI CEO Rachel Owens. “This work is critical to building trust with policymakers, investors, and consumers—and to ensuring that the energy transition is both fast and fair.”
Established in 2022, the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) now covers more than 70% of global solar PV manufacturing capacity, including over 85 GW of certified module production (see Solar Stewardship Initiative For Solar Value Chain).
The SSI says its new commitments aim to build responsible supply chains and signal that market access will increasingly hinge on strict ESG and traceability standards.
It plans to review and update the targets and reporting standards annually, as it seeks to go further upstream to achieve fully certified supply chain traceability.
Speaking at the TaiyangNews Solar & Sustainability 2024 Conference, SSI’s Head of Secretariat, Alexia Ruvoletto, shared the purpose behind the initiative as establishing mechanisms for supply chain transparency regarding materials and component origins, and ensuring a just and inclusive energy transition (see SSI: Europe’s Comprehensive & Robust Sustainability Assurance Program).
On October 9, 2025, TaiyangNews will host the 3rd edition of the Solar & Sustainability 2025 Conference to explore how ESG performance and sustainability practices in the PV industry have evolved and what lies in the future. Register for this event for free here.