Lucideon Verifies SMA's Solar Werks 1 Carbon Footprint
SMA Solar Technology, manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) inverters.
Lucideon was contracted by SMA Solar to carry out independent verification of Solar Werks 1's carbon footprint over two years.
The challenge
SMA Solar Technology, manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) inverters, wanted to prove to stakeholders that Building 60 of its Solar Werks 1 in Germany has reduced its environmental impact through the use of 100% renewable energy to give a zero CO2 figure for scope 2 emissions. Solar Werks 1 is the largest production facility for PV inverters in the world.
Lucideon CICS was contracted by SMA Solar to carry out independent verification of Solar Werks 1's carbon footprint for 2011 and 2012.
What we delivered
The verification covers "in use" Scope 2 energy consumption only. Through a mixture of site visits and desk-top audits, Lucideon independently verified the carbon footprint of the factory to the international standard ISO 14064-1.
SMA Solar demonstrated the use of energy sources with associated zero rated emissions factors from renewable sources only and provided utility supplier declarations in this respect.
Value to the client
Due to a successful completion of the verification, SMA Solar is now able to use Lucideon's Carbon Verified Assurance Mark, signaling to stakeholders that Solar Werks 1’s (Building 60) carbon footprint has been independently verified. The mark can be used by SMA Solar to promote their green credentials worldwide, giving their products an advantage over competitors.
Shaun Bainbridge, Director at Lucideon, says: “SMA currently has no legal requirement to measure its carbon footprint but, like many of our clients, they are choosing to voluntarily declare their emissions as a means of driving awareness of their commitment to sustainability. Having independent verification, as well as adding credibility, also helps to ensure that their data is accurate, thus providing a benchmark for future emissions-cutting initiatives.”
Jan Van Laethem, general manager SMA solar added: “We believe it’s not enough for solar PV systems to simply produce zero carbon energy. Manufacturers of all PV system components need to go one step further and demonstrate their commitment to lowering CO2 emissions during the manufacturing process as well. “At SMA we have demonstrated that it is possible to manufacture solar PV technology without negatively impacting on the environment. This is crucial if the solar industry is to convince its customers of the green credentials of its products.”