52

Gigawatts

of solar shipped (to 13 million households)

67%

Reduction

in CO2 emitted to make each panel from 2010 - 2020

29%

CAGR

of panel production from 2013-2020

View Our Analysis

The Path to Drawdown: PV Solar Manufacturing

To solve climate change and remain below 1.5ºC of global warming, the globe needs to switch to generating power from fossil fuels to using 100% emissions free sources.

The largest source of this clean energy is the sun (barring advances in nuclear fusion). Photovoltaic or PV solar panels (the kind you see on rooftops) have emerged as the predominant way of capturing the sun's energy and converting it into electricity.

The industry has been growing fast and, as of 2020, solar panels are now the cheapest source of electricity in most places on earth.

Solar produces ~2% of global electricity today. According to Project Drawdown, to be on a path to remain under 1.5ºC of warming, rooftop and utility scale solar will need to be generating a combined ~40% of global electricity by 2050.

To get there, the PV solar industry is going to need to continue to massively scale over the few next decades:

  • <::marker> 720 TWh of solar electricity generated in 2019
  • <::marker> 28,200 TWh needed by 2050
  • <::marker> CAGR of 12.56% from 2019 - 2050

Another analysis from the IEA predicts that in order to reach a 100% clean electricity grid by 2050, annual solar panel manufacturing capacity will need to scale from 110 GWs in 2019 to 630 GWs in 2030.

What We Want to See Improve

Set Clear Goals

Unlike other companies in the space, Canadian Solar has not set clear decarbonization goals for their manufacturing process or their supply chain. This makes it challenging for investors like us to hold them accountable for their sustainability commitments. For example, 100% clean electricity in their manufacturing process by 2028.

Clean the Supply Chain

While we applaud that Canadian Solar tracks the sustainability metrics of its supply chain, we would like to see them use their significant purchasing power to push their suppliers to commit and reach zero emissions, as well as other sustainability metrics. Such transparency would enable us as investors to hold them accountable.

Design for Reuse

We applaud CSIQ's reuse of some materials in their manufacturing process and we push them to go much faster. A circular solar economy is possible. We push their executives to imagine a manufacturing process where the majority of inputs come from old panels. Such a process could insulate them from supply chain shocks and potentially boost their gross margins.

Related Solar Energy Stocks in the Climate Index

View All Climate Index Stocks →

Allocated Company Description

2.00%

Enphase Energy (ENPH)

Enphase makes micro-inverters, which are critical components in making rooftop solar more efficient. It's a key solution to expanding rooftop solar

1.18%

SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG)

SolarEdge makes power optimizer, solar inverter and monitoring systems for rooftop solar. These are key equipment in making solar power more efficient

0.82%

First Solar (FSLR)

First Solar makes innovative solar panels from a single glass substrate, making it possible to make panels in one factory in 4.5 hours

0.76%

Sunrun (RUN)

Sunrun makes and installs residential solar energy systems. Solar is a crucial centerpiece of electrifying everything

0.36%

Daqo New Energy (DQ)

Daqo makes high-purity silicon that goes into solar panel. This is a critical ingredient in converting sunlight into electricity

0.36%

Sunpower (SPWR)

Sunpower offers residential and commercial solar power systems and solar storage. Rooftop solar PV is one of the keys to an emissions-free energy system

0.33%

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (SHLS)

Shoals makes all of the components necessary for solar PV systems to connect to the grid. They’re helping expand solar energy

0.31%

Sunnova (NOVA)

Sunnova provides residential solar and energy storage systems in the United States. Both are critical for electrifying the energy system

0.17%

Array Technologies, Inc. (ARRY)

Array Technologies offers machine learning-based solutions that track the sun so that solar PV systems can generate more electricity

0.17%

Jinko Solar (JKS)

Jinko Solar is the largest solar panel maker in the world and heavy investor in solar R&D. They’re a key player in expanding solar energy

0.16%

Canadian Solar (CSIQ)

Canadian Solar makes and ships solar panels all over the world. This is critical for electrifying everything

0.14%

Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (ROCK)

Gibraltar Industries makes the mounting racks for solar panels that are tailor-made for the buildings and fields where solar systems will be placed

0.07%

Azure Power (AZRE)

Azure Power develops solar power for central and state government utilities in India. Solar power is a key centerpiece of a zero-emissions energy system

0.07%

Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. (MAXN)

Maxeon Solar Technologies makes solar panels and related solar system components worldwide - a critical piece in a zero-emissions energy mix of the future

0.05%

FTC Solar, Inc. (FTCI)

FTC Solar offers solar tracker systems so that solar PV systems can produce more electricity. Expanding solar energy is key to a decarbonized world

0.03%

Renesola Power (SOL)

Renesola Power develops utility-scale solar projects in over 10 countries. This is the type of effort needed to scale solar power to electrify the grid

0.02%

iSun, Inc. (ISUN)

iSun is one of the biggest commercial solar developers in the US. They’re a valuable contributor to expanding solar power

0.02%

Orbital Energy Group, Inc. (OEG)

Orbital Energy offers engineering, construction, and maintenance for utility-scale solar systems. They help expand solar power

0.02%

SPI Energy Co., Ltd. (SPI)

SPI Energy develops solar PV solutions for businesses, residential, government and utility customers. Expanding solar is key to a clean energy system

0.02%

Sunworks (SUNW)

Sunworks makes solar power systems for a wide range of markets. Solar is a key zero-carbon energy source

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