On August 23, 2024, the China Electronics Standardization Institute (CESI) announced the launch of the Carbon Footprint Basic Database and Accounting Platform for Photovoltaic Products (hereinafter referred to as “the Platform”) in Beijing. The launch ceremony was attended by officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), among others.

Over the past decade, the photovoltaic (PV) industry in China has seen rapid growth, resulting in a significant increase in installed capacity globally. However, this expansion has raised concerns about the potential environmental impact, as PV production processes may involve high energy consumption and carbon emissions. To address these challenges, the PV community has recognized the need for a comprehensive carbon footprint database. The Platform’s development aligns with the goals outlined in the national policy, the Working Plan on Accelerating the Establishment of a Carbon Emission Dual Control System, issued by the State Council on August 2, 2024.

With the launch of the Platform, CESI, under the guidance of MIIT, has established the PV Industry Product Carbon Footprint Accounting System (hereinafter referred to as “the System”). This System includes standards for carbon footprint measurement of photovoltaic products, a basic database for the carbon footprint of PV industry products, and an accounting platform for these products. The Platform is expected to help the PV sector and manufacturers optimize and refine carbon emission management, ultimately contributing to China’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and advance green transition.

The main features and functions of the System are:

·         Provide a standard basis for accurate calculation of the carbon footprint of PV products: on the basis of a complete in-depth analyzing of the whole PV industrial chain, 11 carbon footprint standards are formulated and are integrated into the system for key links of the PV industrial chain, including but not limited in photovoltaic modules, photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic silicon wafers etc.

·         Construct a localized basic database of carbon footprint of PV products:  it is based on unit process, which collected more than 50,000 carbon emission data of the production process of key products of the whole PV industrial chain in China, and integrated 109 product carbon footprint factors and detailed list documents fully in line with the international ILCD data format. It will fully meet the localized data needs of the country on carbon footprint accounting.

·         Contain multiple functions that ca n fully support the carbon footprint accounting of PV products in a fast and accurate way: it is able to carry out automatic and rapid modeling, multi-level data audit, digital evidence retention and traceability of the whole process, flexible configuration of multi-scenario calculation, low-carbon supply chain management, visual results display, one-click for generating carbon footprint report etc.

The Platform had launched trial run since May of 2024. According to the data released by CESI, more than 50 PV enterprises has used the service from the Platform. Five of them received the first batch of carbon footprint accounting reports at the launching ceremony.

Foreign stakeholders are advised to check further details on the Platform as it may not only facilitate the supply chain management around the world for carbon footprint requirements, but may also serve as a sample in China for other sectors to implement its carbon footprint management.

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