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First Solar, Qcells panels score green label chosen by United States federal government

2 of the world's biggest solar panel makers, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells, became the first to register products under an ecological ratings system preferred for U.S. government acquiring, an industry group stated.

Combined, the business have seven products that meet the EPEAT basic created by the International Electronics Council, according to Qcells, the GEC and the Ultra Low-Carbon Solar Alliance, a solar market group.

The Biden administration has established guidelines requiring federal purchasers to maximize their use of sustainable products, specified as adhering to third-party requirements described by the Epa (EPA) late in 2015.

The EPEAT standard for solar panels was amongst those recommended by the agency. To attain the EPEAT label, manufacturers must meet requirements for efficient power and water use, recycled content, disclosure of compounds used in manufacturing, employee health and wellness and more.

Producing panels in the United States helps lower the carbon strength of the products. Both First Solar and Qcells have U.S. production facilities.

The difference will help First Solar and Qcells ended up being go-to suppliers for federal projects, which are anticipated to be a major source of need for solar panels. As part of his climate change agenda, President Joe Biden set a. goal to decarbonize federal structures by 2045, consisting of a 50%. reduction by 2032.

The administration previously this year, for instance, said it. would install solar panels on the Department of Defense's. Pentagon headquarters in Virginia.

The EPEAT ecolabel will make it simple for consumers who. worth transparency and sustainability to find our products and. deal with us, Qcells' senior director of sustainability, Kelly. Weger, stated in a statement.

Beyond business and domestic consumers, this now indicates. our USA put together and sustainably made solar products will help. the federal government attain its enthusiastic environment goals.

A number of other makers remain in the process of getting. their solar panels signed up under the standard, according to. Bob Mitchell, chief executive of the Global Electronics Council.

With the growing demand from international purchasers for. properly made panels, we anticipate considerable development of. participating companies in the coming months, Mitchell said.

(source: Reuters)