Trina Solar: Supplying PV Modules to Sustainably Power a Net-Zero Future
2023.12.14

Thanks to the investments and incentives in the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the country continues to undergo an ambitious decarbonization process. Over the next decade, analysts forecast an 11% average annual growth rate for the solar industry, regularly doubling installations compared to past years.

 

Trina Solar is proud to supply ethically sourced, high-quality solar PV modules to meet this demand. In a 3-month span from August to October 2023, Trina shipped more than 1.2 GW of solar modules into the country. To put those numbers into perspective, the US solar market installed a 5.6 GWdc capacity in total throughout Q2 2023.

 

As the IRA’s benefits filter through society and more utilities, municipalities, and businesses implement sustainability initiatives, purchasing and procurement teams know they have a trusted and reliable module supplier now and in the years to come with Trina Solar.

 

Supply Chain Strategies

Trina Solar abides by U.S. laws and regulations in its operating locations and took steps years ago to address the issues raised by the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and Antidumping and Countervailing Duty (AD/CVD). Since 2021, Trina has sourced 100% of the polysilicon used in its U.S. modules from well-respected European and U.S. partners. Additionally, Trina manufactures these modules with a 4-of-6 Bill of Material (BOM) in Southeast Asia (SEA). Trina is the first — and still the only — company to achieve a fully independent supply chain outside China.

 

While adhering to high standards of business ethics, social, and environmental requirements, Trina Solar seeks to cooperate with suppliers who also follow high ethical standards and take social and environmental responsibility as their own. By continuously improving the supply chain management system and enhancing communication with suppliers and partners, Trina remains committed to promoting and improving its sustainable supply chain.

 

Advanced upstream materials traceability systems have enabled Trina to create a comprehensive view of its supply chain, ensuring that every component meets the highest ethical standards. This illustrates Trina’s dedication to ensuring that no forced labor or unethical practices are involved in its solar module production.

 

In the event of product detainment by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Trina maintains robust supply chain traceability documentation capabilities. Based on CBP's inspection time, the company provides traceability documentation as quickly as possible. This prompt turnaround of documention allows for expedited product release for customer projects. 

 

Trina is a proud signer of the Solar Energy Industry Association’s (SEIA) Solar Industry Forced Labor Prevention Pledge and reinforces its commitment to opposing forced labor use within the solar supply chain.

 

Domestic PV Module Manufacturing in 2024 

Beyond importing, Trina aims to create an ecosystem of American manufacturing that can serve the burgeoning U.S. solar market. That’s why the company invested over $200 million in developing a 1.35-million-square-foot solar PV manufacturing facility in Wilmer, Texas. When completed in 2024, the state-of-the-art plant will provide 1,500 local jobs, produce 5 GW of modules, and source polysilicon from the U.S. and Europe. 

 

From this domestic manufacturing base, Trina can more swiftly and efficiently supply the innovative large-power-output Vertex modules using the 210mm to power the country’s decarbonization efforts. This facility is the first in a planned series of future U.S.-based manufacturing facilities.

 

Trina’s mission is "Solar Energy for All," and its long-term layout and action plans for sustainable development are moving forward. Committed to leading the way in smart solar energy solutions for a net-zero future, Trina Solar remains dedicated to working towards deep integration of the business with sustainable and ethical development.