The Solar Energy Industries Association’s recognition of Solvay’s solar adoption highlights the Group’s Solvay One Planet initiative, which aims to curb emissions in line with the Paris Agreement
Brussels, October 7, 2020
Solvay was ranked among the top ten companies operating in the US with the most solar capacity by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) in its annual Solar Means Business report for the second year in a row. Solvay is the only manufacturing company to make SEIA’s top 10 list, which includes companies such as Apple, Amazon and Target.
“We are honored to be recognized again by SEIA for our commitment to increasing solar power in our operations,” said Ron Johnson, Climate & Energy Transition Manager North America. “Solar power plays a key role in our Solvay One Planet initiative, which aims to reduce our emissions by 26% by 2030. We’ll continue developing solar projects to help enable the energy transition, particularly in the US.”
“The world’s most recognizable brands are walking the walk when it comes to their clean energy commitments,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “Businesses are choosing solar energy because it can significantly curb their energy costs and add predictability during these uncertain times. We expect that the corporate sector will make greater investments in solar as businesses make and follow through on clean energy commitments to address the climate crisis.”
From 2018-2019 Solvay developed 17 solar and other renewable energy projects worldwide that have the potential to reduce its emissions by 470 kt per year of C02, which is the equivalent of taking 300,000 cars off the road.
In particular, Solvay has an agreement with a solar farm owned by Dominion Resources, Inc. in Jasper County, South Carolina to buy all the renewable energy certificates (RECs) produced by the farm. This 71-megawatt facility has more than 250,000 solar panels that cover an area equivalent to 500 football (soccer) fields. It provides enough power for 15,000 households – offsetting approximately 80,000 tons of CO2 emissions. Solvay’s agreement is for 15 years.
Solvay also participates in Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program and commits to producing Apple products with 100 percent clean energy. Solvay was the first company to commit to this program, and many others have since joined.
Under Solvay One Planet, Solvay will double the rate at which it reduces emissions, with a goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2030 and aligning its trajectory with the “well below 2°C temperature increase” goal outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Solvay also aims to generate 15% of its revenue from either bio-based or recycled-based materials by 2030.