Wacker, a valued TAEBC member, recently joined forces with five leading renewable energy companies to launch the Ultra Low-Carbon Solar Alliance. The Alliance intends to expand market awareness and deployment of ultra low-carbon solar technology to accelerate reductions in solar supply chain greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar photovoltaics (PV) is one of the fastest growing energy sources in the world, with solar generating capacity growing nearly 2500% globally since 2000. Much of this growth is due to solar energy’s environmental benefits as compared to fossil fuel energy sources.
Ultra low-carbon solar technology can reduce the carbon footprint of a solar project by up to 50%. This reduction is achieved through the use of materials with lower embodied carbon in PV panel production. Through the Ultra Low-Carbon Solar Alliance, Wacker and other members will work to educate the marketplace and policymakers about the benefits and availability of ultra low-carbon solar. They will also engage with key stakeholders to develop and deploy a reliable methodology that will enable companies to specify ultra-low carbon PV panels in projects.
Wacker’s participation in the Ultra Low-Carbon Alliance affirms the company’s commitment to further advanced energy investment in Tennessee and beyond. This commitment was the focus of a May 2019 guest column authored by Mary Beth Hudson, Vice President of Wacker Polysilicon NCA and TAEBC Board Member, where she highlighted the recent expansion of Wacker’s Charleston, Tennessee polysilicon production plant.