Scoring Criteria for Module Manufacturers

SVTC used a 0 to 100 point scale. Points were awarded in the following four areas.

Assessment Criteria
EPR requires that manufacturers be responsible for the impacts of their products on the environment and on communities throughout product lifecycles.

Requirements for a ‘Sunny’ Score
Company has a takeback and recycling program that is adequately financed and free to the consumer. Company adheres to at least minimum EHS and labor standards for panel recycling; does not use prison labor for dismantling; and has a policy against exporting end-of-life panels to developing countries.

Range of Scores
0-33

Assessment Criteria
Green jobs protect workers from exposure to toxic chemicals and ensure a living wage. There is no guarantee that companies are providing green jobs if they do not monitor their supply chains.

Requirements for a ‘Sunny’ Score
Company requires suppliers and sub-suppliers to follow a code of conduct; has systems to verify supplier performance, handle EHS violations, and enforce agreements; and does not use prison labor.

Range of Scores
0-29

Assessment Criteria
Solar PV manufacturing currently relies on a number of hazardous or toxic chemicals. By using lifecycle analysis and other tools, the solar PV industry can move away from the most toxic and hazardous inputs. In the E.U., the Restriction on Hazardous Substances (ROHS) directive lists maximum concentrations of several toxic chemicals (including cadmium and lead) used by the solar PV industry.

Requirements for a ‘Sunny’ Score
Company avoids lead and cadmium throughout product lifecycles and has phased out potent greenhouse gases; uses tools such as lifecycle analysis to characterize environmental and worker impacts. 

Range of Scores
0-28

Assessment Criteria
Corporate claims about being “green” are increasingly common—but there are few ways for the public to confirm those claims. Transparency is important to verify whether companies are implementing EHS standards, takeback programs, and responsible recycling. By providing information on their practices, companies can demonstrate their performance and be held accountable to the communities where they manufacture and market their products.

Requirements for a ‘Sunny’ Score
Company is willing to share all company information related to labor standards, manufacturing hazards, and sustainability.

Range of Scores
0-10