As the first company to receive a Reclaim PV Recycling certificate, Suntech encourages followers.
SF Suntech Australia announced today the company's partnership with Reclaim PV Recycling, the Australia-based waste management company that focuses on reclaiming PV modules. Suntech was recently awarded the first Reclaim certificate in Australia for recycling 84 of its damaged or nonoperational warranty modules.
"Suntech has a longstanding presence in Australia and has always been regarded as an innovator in the solar industry. We enjoy breaking industry boundaries, setting standards, and hope other PV companies follow suit to stimulate sector growth and enhance environmental stewardship. We're therefore proud to work with Reclaim to set new solar industry standards for management of PV waste disposal," said Hui Wu, managing director of SF Suntech Australia. "It is important to stimulate awareness within the solar industry and the Australian government about the growing waste disposal problem that we face in the solar industry. Reclaim has developed an efficient, scalable system for the recycling of PV module components. This is an important step towards industry sustainability as solar energy becomes increasingly accessible and more prevalent, while the industry continues to invest in R&D and improve solar technology."
Suntech, a tier 1 solar manufacturer, provides its clients with high performance and quality modules backed by a 10-year product warranty. Tier 1 solar companies are the minority in Australia, providing Australia with only 30% of its modules, whereas manufacturers who are ranked tier 2 or below provide Australia with 70% of its modules. With tier 2 and 3 quality modules dominating the Australian solar market, there is a significant volume of non-functional modules creating an abundance of waste.
As a company committed to selling high efficiency and quality sustainable products, Suntech also prides itself in sustainable business practices. Suntech shares Reclaim's concern for the long-term implications that PV production has on waste disposal and on the environment. Canadian Solar has also now joined Reclaim's initiative, which not only aims to mobilize solar companies, but strives to engage government bodies in order to bring awareness to the industry and improve sustainable business practices in Australia. Suntech strongly believes that clean energy companies, who promote sustainability, should also practice sustainable waste management, which can be accelerated via government initiatives and corporate partnerships.
www.suntech-power.com
