Suntech Power Ltd, Chinese solar energy giant and the world’s biggest producer of crystalline silicon solar panels, has received the Murphy&Spitz Global Leader Award for 2011, for achieving excellence in environmental and sustainability standards in the photovoltaics industry.
In October last year, Suntech chairman and CEO, Dr Zhengrong Shi, invited Murphy&Spitz, a respected clean energy consultancy firm which rates the green credentials of renewable energy companies, to conduct an independent audit of Suntech solar panel manufacturing operations in China.
"The solar industry is about using technology to provide clean, sustainable energy without sacrificing our environment. In doing so, we must be aware of our responsibilities to our staff, our community and the sustainability of our manufacturing operations," Dr Shi said.
In 2001 Dr Shi founded Suntech Power Holdings Ltd after receiving his doctorate degree in solar power technology at the University of NSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering.
Suntech was recently certified under the internationally recognised OHSAS18001 occupational health and safety standard, and SA8000, a global social accountability standard for decent working conditions, bringing the company into line with world’s best practices.
The company said that by maintaining the highest standards of environmental and OH&S standards, Suntech could lower the cost of solar energy technology to consumers and uphold their status as a global leader of the solar industry.
"This commitment is not only the right thing to do, but it helps to lower our costs of manufacturing, making solar technology more affordable for everyone. For example, between 2006 and 2009, Suntech decreased the energy and water intensity of our production by 34% and 51.6% per MW, respectively."
