The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) has published its first Buyer’s Guide, designed to help solar energy buyers – including project developers, investors, public organizations, and private companies – make responsible decisions when sourcing solar modules and materials. The guide aims to provide clear and practical support as the solar industry faces growing expectations around transparency, traceability, and responsible supply chains.
Rachel Owens, CEO of the SSI, stated that the Buyer’s Guide represents an important step in the initiative’s work. She explained that as regulatory and market demands increase, buyers need straightforward guidance on responsible procurement. The new guide translates SSI’s standards into practical, easy-to-follow actions, helping buyers put responsible sourcing into practice while strengthening cooperation between buyers and suppliers. She noted that this marks a shift for the SSI from developing standards and conducting on-site assessments to supporting broader industry adoption.
The Buyer’s Guide was created in close collaboration with SSI members and directly responds to their request for consistent, sector-specific procurement guidance. It also helps companies prepare for emerging regulations such as due diligence requirements, forced labour restrictions, and new transparency obligations. The guide is divided into two main sections. The first is publicly available and provides practical recommendations that procurement teams can apply immediately. The second part, available only to SSI members, contains additional tools such as templates, checklists, and sample contract clauses.
This structure ensures that both members and the wider solar industry can benefit from the guidance, with members receiving an extra level of detailed support. The SSI expects the Buyer’s Guide to serve as a foundation for future work, including expanded member services and the launch of a new digital platform designed to offer further resources and support. The guide is being formally introduced today by SSI CEO Rachel Owens at the Sustainable Solar Europe event.
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