Editors Note: In 2020, SunPower announced the completion of the strategic spin-off of its manufacturing division into a separate business named Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. As a result, SunPower has expanded its offerings to drive future growth. The SunPower Equinox® system now offers multiple panel options, including front- and back-contact panels, all of which are responsibly and rigorously quality tested to provide the best energy solution for your home.
Our company exists to help change the way our world is powered and leave the planet better off for future generations. That’s our purpose. It’s why we’re here.
So when you choose SunPower, every day is Earth Day and not just because your home or business is making clean renewable energy using our solar panels. It’s because as a company, we go above and beyond what’s required of us when it comes to sustainable business practices, holding ourselves to higher standards for environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Silver
SunPower is the first and only solar company to earn the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Silver designation for all of its direct current panels manufactured globally. To qualify, we undergo a continuous improvement process that evaluates our products in five quality categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship and social fairness.
But we won’t rest now that we’ve reached this level. We’ll have to show improvement to get recertified every two years. The truth is we would have challenged ourselves to do that anyway, but keeping our Cradle to Cradle® status is a great way to quantify our goals and accomplishments in sustainable product design and manufacturing.
Landfill-free & LEED
We’re also proud that our solar panel assembly sites in Mexico and France have achieved landfill-free verified status, another first of its kind in the solar industry and a first for any industry in Mexico. To earn this verification from NSF Sustainability, we must ensure that less than 1 percent of factory waste goes to landfills.
In addition: Several of our buildings have earned coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, including the Philippines plant making Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Silver solar panels.
We’re close to achieving what’s known in the green business world as “triple certification,” meaning we will meet all of the above three independently-verified stringent requirements, at our Mexico plant, and it’s our goal that all of our manufacturing sites worldwide reach this level of sustainability.
Simply put: Everything that goes into our products is certified as meeting the highest standards for raw materials and overall product design. Then, we make those products in factories that are operated in a way that minimizes their environmental impact.
Circular Economy 100
We also contribute to a restorative global economy. SunPower is the first and only solar company to become a member of the Circular Economy 100, joining other leaders and innovators in the movement to create a truly regenerative economy.
Our role within this movement is to execute a business case for durable, rock-solid, high-performing products that last for decades. Being a part of the Circular Economy keeps our commitment to use resources responsibly a top priority.
Better by design
The leadership we’re showing by making solar panels with methods that are as sustainable as the clean energy they produce also applies to the design and construction of large solar installations.
Our power plants are beneficial by design, planted with native grasses that are superb for grazing animals and for capturing, retaining and revitalizing water sheds and for promoting soil health, all while producing clean, renewable energy. We also engage the most important natural resource, local communities, in the process.
All told, these are just a few of the many ways we’ve worked over our 30-year history to raise our own bar higher in our efforts to become the most sustainably responsible solar company and one that also designs and manufactures the most efficient*Highest of over 3,200 silicon solar panels, Photon Module Survey, Feb 2014. and durable*#1 rank in "Fraunhofer PV Durability Initiative for Solar Modules: Part 2". Photovoltaics International, 2014. Campeau, Z. et al. "SunPower Module Degradation Rate," SunPower white paper, 2013. See www.sunpowercorp.com/facts for details. solar technology available for homes and businesses worldwide.
As we celebrate the 46th annual Earth Day on April 22, we hope you’ll be inspired to join us in changing the way our world is powered every day.
Find out how much you can save going solar with our solar savings calculator.
©2016 SunPower Corporation. All Rights Reserved. SUNPOWER and the SUNPOWER logo are registered trademarks of SunPower Corporation in the U.S. and other countries as well. Cradle to Cradle Certified™ is a certification mark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Cradle to Cradle Certified™ is a multi-attribute certification program that assesses products and materials for safety to human and environmental health, design for future use cycles, and sustainable manufacturing.
