Solar panels are widely regarded as a sustainable energy source, but how exactly do you measure that in practical terms? The term sustainability of solar panels is often used without it being clear which indicators really matter. For project developers, property managers and installers carrying out large-scale PV projects, it is essential to look beyond the marketing claims. True sustainability can be measured using objective criteria: from the carbon footprint during production to recyclability at the end of the product’s life.
This article sets out the key criteria for sustainable PV modules explained, so that procurement managers and project leaders can make informed choices when selecting solar panels for commercial and industrial roofs.
Sustainability in solar panels is not a single concept, but an interplay of measurable factors which, taken together, provide a complete picture. The most relevant indicators are the carbon footprint per kilowatt-peak (kWp) produced, the energy payback time (EPBT), the choice of materials, recyclability and the production location. Each of these factors contributes to a panel’s overall environmental impact, both during and after its useful life.
Of particular relevance to B2B organisations is the carbon footprint of solar panels, expressed in grams of CO₂ equivalent per kilowatt-hour of energy generated. This allows for an objective comparison between different panels and technologies. Panels with a lower production footprint, shorter supply chains and a longer lifespan consistently score better on this metric. Anyone who takes sustainability seriously should ask suppliers for documented data on all these points.
A LCA of solar panels (life cycle assessment) assesses the total environmental impact of a panel, from raw material extraction to disposal. This is the most comprehensive method for evaluating the true sustainability performance of a PV module.
An LCA examines several stages: the extraction and processing of raw materials, the production process, transport, installation, use and, finally, disposal or recycling. Traditional glass modules have relatively high energy requirements during the production phase, partly due to the energy-intensive production of glass and aluminium. Panels manufactured using thermoplastic polymers can emit significantly less CO₂ during this phase, provided that production also takes place locally and utilises renewable energy.
Within an LCA, the energy payback time is a practical indicator. This is the period it takes for a panel to generate back the energy required for its production. The shorter this period, the more favourable the ratio between investment and return over the entire lifespan. For large-scale commercial installations with a projected lifespan of 25 years or more, this is a relevant factor when selecting modules.
Recyclable solar panels are becoming an increasing priority, particularly now that the first generation of large-scale installations is approaching the end of its service life. Circularity goes beyond simply whether a panel can be recycled: it also concerns how easy that is, which materials are recovered, and whether those materials can actually be reused in production.
Conventional glass modules are notoriously difficult to recycle. The laminate that encases the cells is thermosetting, which means that the materials cannot be remelted and reused without a loss of quality. Circular solar panels Materials based on thermoplastic polymers offer a fundamentally different approach: at the end of their life cycle, these materials can be recovered and reused, thereby closing the circular chain. This is not only environmentally significant, but is also increasingly becoming a requirement for ESG reporting and tendering within the commercial property sector.
The location where a solar panel is manufactured has a direct impact on the Carbon footprint of solar panels. The majority of global PV production takes place in Asia, particularly in China, where the energy mix is still largely based on coal. This means that the production of a panel in that region is associated with significantly higher CO₂ emissions than production in a country with a greener energy mix.
European production – and certainly production in the Netherlands, where the energy transition is already well advanced – results in structurally lower emissions during the production phase. Furthermore, shorter transport distances reduce logistics-related CO₂ emissions. For projects where the entire supply chain must be demonstrably sustainable, the production location is therefore not a secondary consideration but a key criterion. Solarge manufactures its panels entirely in Weert, ensuring that transport distances remain minimal and that production is independent of foreign supply chains. This results in a production footprint that is up to 80% lower than that of conventional glass modules.
Certificates and digital passports are the tools used to substantiate sustainability claims and make them verifiable. For professional buyers, it is important to know which certificates actually provide meaningful information about a panel’s environmental impact, and which are primarily of marketing value.
Relevant certifications for PV modules include ISO 14001 (environmental management system), EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) and product-specific labels that document LCA results. An EPD provides standardised, independently verified information on a product’s environmental impact throughout its entire life cycle. This makes it possible to compare panels from different manufacturers in a fair manner.
It goes one step further C_passport, a digital materials passport that records the complete material flow for each panel. Every Solarge panel has its own C_passport, which makes the origin and composition of the materials used fully traceable. This directly addresses the growing demand from ESG-driven organisations for verifiable sustainability reporting and transparency throughout the supply chain.
For projects where clients are required to report on the sustainability performance of their property, such a passport provides a concrete and verifiable tool. The difference compared with a generic certificate is that a materials passport is panel-specific and remains valid throughout the entire lifespan of the panel, even if it is sent for recycling at the end of its life.
Anyone wishing to assess the sustainability of solar panels properly would be well advised to evaluate all these indicators in conjunction with one another: from the LCA and the production location to recyclability and the availability of a materials passport. This not only provides a fairer picture of the actual environmental impact, but also a stronger basis for sustainability reporting and long-term decisions within commercial property projects.
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