With 27 years of history, Trina Solar’s cumulative shipments of PV modules exceeded 170 GW at the end of Q3 2023 — equivalent to planting 12.5 billion trees worldwide!

This commitment to building a net-zero future extends beyond just supplying innovative solar modules and energy solutions, and it encompasses every aspect of our operations. Trina Solar remains dedicated to sustainable development and zero-carbon practices across technology, products, operations, and process management. The company continues sustainable manufacturing while discovering innovative ways to further improve and enhance the entire Trina Solar ecosystem to reduce emissions, protect our environment, and improve communities across the globe.

Our 2022 Sustainability Report, noted for its precise data on key performance indicators, has made Trina Solar an industry leader in the ESG field. We wanted to share some notable announcements since its release as we continue working on the next sustainability report. Let’s take a look!

ESG Recognition from Leading Global Authorities

Recently, Trina Solar has been recognized with several prestigious awards for its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices by leading global authorities and third-party assessors. 

First Zero-Carbon Factory Certificate in the PV Industry

A Trina manufacturing facility earned certification as a Zero Carbon Factory — the first factory in the PV industry to be awarded zero-carbon status by an independent agency. TiGroup, a certification body specializing in health, safety, environmental, and sustainability inspection and testing, conducted the assessment by evaluating a range of on-site indicators, including:

• Energy and resource utilization

• Greenhouse gas reduction implementation

• Carbon offset implementation

• Intelligent information management systems for energy and carbon emissions

• Infrastructure

• Product design

• Compliance requirements

• Management requirements

ESG-Enterprise Award from Bloomberg Green

Drawing on data from the Bloomberg ESG Index and the advice of global experts, Bloomberg Green conducted a six-month ESG evaluation and selected 50 outstanding companies for their exceptional performance in promoting sustainable development.

Trina Solar was one of those companies, gaining a Bloomberg Green ESG-Enterprises award as part of the Bloomberg Green ESG 50 list. The panel of experts commended Trina for its remarkable performance in all three ESG pillars, again underscoring the company’s leadership in the PV industry.

Environmental Protection Declaration (EPD) from UL Solutions

Our commitment to sustainable development includes a strong emphasis on net-zero practices and promotes sustainable management throughout our solar modules’ entire lifecycle. In collaboration with supply chain partners, Trina Solar effectively tracks and recycles packaging materials, achieving an 80% recovery rate in 2022.

These practices enable Vertex N 700W, Vertex N 610W, and Vertex 670W modules to achieve an industry-leading Global Warming Potential of 13.2g CO 2 eq/kWh and earned Trina the distinction as the first company in the PV industry to receive a dual Environmental Protection Declaration (EPD) certification from UL Solutions and EDPItaly. Additionally, in 2022, Trina Solar’s full range of Vertex modules received a Carbon Footprint Certification and Life Cycle Assessment Certification from TÜV Rheinland. 

PV Projects that Enhance Ecology & Safeguard the Environment 

In addition to ensuring sustainable operations, Trina works closely with developers and site owners and operators to ensure PV projects in delicate terrains will enhance the local ecology and safeguard the environment. 

Trina Solar recently commemorated the 28th World Wetlands Day, themed "Wetlands and Human Well-being." Recognizing wetlands as the "Kidneys of the Earth," vital for sustaining nearly one-eighth of the global population, Trina Solar proudly celebrated the day by highlighting its commitment to restoring wetland ecology and promoting sustainable habitats.

Trina supplied the modules for an innovative fishery-photovoltaics project that helped ignite new opportunities in a historic but underdeveloped fishing city. The project required innovative design features to withstand the environment while enhancing the ecology. Now, the dual-use fishery-PV site is helping to stimulate the local economy and improve the human quality of life for the region’s residents. Trina Solar stands firm in its dedication to safeguarding the environment and advancing global human well-being through sustainable initiatives.

In another project, Trina Solar’s 210mm Vertex ultra-high power modules, including the Vertex N 700W and the Vertex 670W, are being used in a 2GW PV project that’s revitalizing old coal mines. What was once the source of so much carbon dioxide pollution is now forecasted to save about 960,000 tons of standard coal and cut CO2 emissions by about 2.62 million tons annually. 

On the Horizon for Trina’s Sustainable Solar Practices

Looking ahead, Trina aims to achieve 100% renewable energy use across all manufacturing and operations by 2030, aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2023, we rolled out the new fleet of Trina-branded trucks, which are currently delivering PV modules and materials for more than 35% of utility-scale solar projects in the U.S. By the end of this year, 100% of utility-scale solar project deliveries will be via Trina Truck. 

But this marks the first step in Trina’s fleet strategy, with fleet electrification to begin this year and full electrification of the Trina Truck fleet completed by 2026. Not only will this transition lower carbon emissions for solar deliveries, but it will also enable the electric vehicles (EVs) to charge their batteries at customer job sites using Trina Solar’s PV modules.

The company is currently developing a 5GW manufacturing base in Wilmer, Texas. Be sure to follow us on social and sign up for our newsletter to learn more about this state-of-the-art facility's sustainability practices as it develops. 

With our mission of “Solar energy for all,” Trina Solar will continue to foster green and sustainable development and work with others to drive the transformation of the new power system for a net-zero future.