Trina Solar has always been actively undertaking corporate social responsibility and working with all stakeholders to contribute more to low-carbon, green and sustainable development. As a global leading provider for photovoltaic modules and smart energy solutions, Trina Solar takes “Solar Energy for All” as its mission, adheres to the concept of green development, and protects the green mountains and clear water by using green energies.

What is environmental innovation?

Environmental innovation, more commonly known as eco-innovation is the development of products and solutions that contribute to sustainable development, applying commercial knowledge to elicit direct or indirect ecological improvements. 

Eco-innovation includes a range of related ideas, from environmentally friendly technological advances to socially acceptable innovative paths towards sustainability with the aim of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by 2030.

Examples of renewable energy eco-innovations

• Solar power

• Hydropower 

• Tidal power 

• Wind power 

• Geothermal power

Why sustainability is now the primary driver of innovation

It’s taken long enough since the UN General Assembly first announced the protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind; but according to research from Harvard Business Review, who have been studying the sustainability initiatives of 30 large corporations over a long period of time, sustainability is the principal source of organisational and technological innovations that yield both bottom-line and top-line returns. Becoming environment-friendly lowers costs because companies end up reducing the inputs they use. 

Moreover, the process generates additional revenues from higher quality products and/or enables companies to create new businesses. In fact, because those are the goals of corporate innovation, we find that smart companies now treat sustainability as innovation’s new frontier.

How is Trina Solar contributing to the SDGs?

In abiding to Trina Solar’s core values of:

1. Focus on the customer

2. Persist in open innovation

3. Persevere through dedication and hard work

4. Strive for excellence

5. Share the responsibility; create and share value together

we have continuously strengthened the construction of the company's integrity system and improved the level of corporate governance, so as to build the foundation for various business developments. Over the years, Trina Solar has broken and refreshed the world record 23 times in the field of conversion efficiency of solar cells and PV module output power, and applied for more than 2,300 patents, which is ranking #1 in the industry.

Additionally, it’s important for our partner community to know that Trina Solar scores 100% in the BNEF Bankability Survey and is now the only module manufacturer to be rated as bankable for six consecutive years.

The environmental SDGs Trina Solar is focused on

• Goal 6: Provide and sustainably manage water and sanitation for all. 

• Goal 7: Ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable modern energy for all. 

• Goal 9: Build disaster resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and promote innovation. 

• Goal 13: Take urgent action to address climate change and its impacts.

Actions towards achieving the SDGs

Trina Solar has always incorporated the concept of green and low-carbon sustainable development into the company's strategy. The company not only produces environmentally friendly green products, but also continuously reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and transmits the concept of green environmental protection to relevant parties with its brand influence. 

Here are the environmental actions that we are taking in best regard to achieving the UN’s SDGs by 2030.

• We pay attention to energy-saving and emission reduction, optimise energy use efficiency and promote sustainable development 

• We have committed to passing on the concept of green innovation, promoting the realisation of practical innovation and sustainable development, creating jobs in the field of solar energy, allowing the world to share the fruits of new solar technology industries, and allowing solar energy to enter thousands of households 

• We adhere to scientific and technological innovation, improve the efficiency of the use of resources, and promote the sustainable development of the global economy 

• We set the goal of sustainable development and realise green production and management 

• We carry out cleaning projects to protect biodiversity 

• We actively deal with global climate change and reduce the carbon footprint of our products.

Fighting climate change with clean energy solutions

As of April 2022, we have shipped 100GW+ Solar PV modules to 100+ countries and regions, and built 5.5GW+ utility scale solar PV grid connected projects.

Not only that but we are actively reducing energy and resource consumption like power, natural gas and water; the change ratio from 2021 to 2022 was 50.92%, 42.40% and 46.19% respectively. These are huge strides in lessening the impact on grid networks.

On top of those actions, with regard to emission related policies and standards; Trina Solar has certified with environmental management system ISO 14001 in 2008, occupational health and safety management system OHSAS 18001 (now ISO 45001) in 2010, and energy management system ISO 50001 in 2015.

Finally, we wouldn’t be able to drive sustainable development and innovation without the hard work and dedication of our employees. We truly care about our employees’ growth and development, and treasure their hard work and contributions. We promote their capacity and encourage them to innovate through training, education, performance management, and incentive awards, so as to enable employees to fully display their talents and to achieve common growth and development together. 

If you’re interested in joining Trina Solar’s strong and cheerful European team, please see open vacancies here.