Solar Stewardship Initiative SSI
The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) was set in motion by Solar Power Europe and Solar Energy UK in March 2021, as part of a work stream established in 2015 to promote sustainable production in the solar value chain. With the backing of more than 50 solar organisations at its inception, the SSI is the only holistic sustainable supply chain solution with the support of a majority market share of the solar PV industry. The SSI also enjoys the endorsement of the International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of the World Bank Group) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The Initiative establishes SSI Standards, combining international standards, industry and civil society expertise, and political acumen, to deliver a supply chain sustainability solution tailored to the business of solar. The SSI Standards are used by independent assessors to evaluate compliance with robust sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria within companies active in the solar value chain.
The SSI works collaboratively with manufacturers, developers, installers, and purchasers across the global solar value chain to foster responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of materials. It has 5 mission areas to:
- Ensure the energy transition is just, inclusive, and respects human rights.
- Establish mechanisms to create supply-chain transparency, ensuring integrity in the global solar industry.
- Enable continuous improvement of ESG performance.
- Prepare the industry for relevant upcoming laws and regulations on ESG, transparency and responsible supply chains.
- Build the confidence of regulators, customers and business partners in the sustainability of the solar value chain.
For further information about the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) visit https://www.solarstewardshipinitiative.org/
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Construction recruitment agency.
- Corporate social responsibility in construction.
- Equal opportunities policy.
- Equality Act.
- Ethical labour sourcing standard.
- Ethics and the engineer.
- Ethics in construction.
- Human resource management.
- Large scale solar thermal energy.
- Modern slavery.
- Resource management.
- Solar Stewardship Initiative.
- Solar energy.
- Solar gain in buildings.
- Solar photovoltaics.
- Solar Stewardship Initiative.
- Solar thermal systems.
Featured articles and news
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.
Level 6 Design, Construction and Management BSc
CIOB launches first-ever degree programme to develop the next generation of construction leaders.
Open for business as of April, with its 2026 prospectus and new pipeline of housing schemes.
The operational value of workforce health
Keeping projects moving. Incorporating unplanned absence and the importance of health, in operations.
A carbon case for indigenous slate
UK slate can offer clear embodied carbon advantages.
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.