Another photovoltaic material price increase; European solar energy agency signs new regulatory initiative.
December 03, 2025
On November 27, the Solar Regulatory Initiative in Europe (SSI) and Copper Mark signed an agreement aimed at "promoting responsible copper production and sourcing across the entire solar energy supply chain." SSI, jointly established by the trade body SolarPower Europe and Solar Energy UK, is a self-regulatory organization focusing on the solar photovoltaic supply chain and sustainability. SSI covers over 70% of global solar manufacturing capacity, and its ESG certification system is an industry benchmark. Copper Mark currently certifies 96 copper production sites. This collaboration will create a closed-loop mechanism encompassing "production compliance certification - supply chain traceability - end-application verification." The organization stated that with the increasing deployment of solar energy and the rising use of copper in the solar sector, "the necessity for cooperation among key stakeholders in the copper supply chain is becoming increasingly apparent." The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to analyze the supply chain, identify environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, and provide solutions to improve the overall performance of the industry. Copper Mark is a supply and compliance assurance framework for the copper, molybdenum, nickel, and zinc supply chains. Copper has long been a major component of solar power transmission infrastructure and cables, and is increasingly becoming a crucial part of solar photovoltaic cell manufacturing. Standard processes heavily rely on silver as a conductive material in solar cells, but with increasing manufacturing capacity and advancements in cell technology, the cost and scarcity of silver are beginning to pose challenges. The solar manufacturing industry's share of global silver demand is growing, and silver's scarcity and high cost are forcing technological innovation within the industry. As Wang Yongqian, chief scientist at the Chinese solar manufacturer Aiko Solar, discussed, the industry is accelerating the metallization process of copper-based cells, replacing silver, and copper demand in the solar sector is expected to surge further over the next five years. According to a recent report, the energy transition, driven by solar manufacturing and grid expansion, is likely to be the main driver of copper demand growth over the next decade. The report's author, Wood Mackenzie, stated that geopolitical pressures as countries seek to reduce their reliance on imports will accelerate copper demand growth in the renewable energy sector. “This collaboration with Copper Mark is a significant step towards building a truly integrated and responsible production model across the solar energy supply chain,” said Rachel Owens, CEO of SSI. “By connecting upstream and downstream assurance efforts, we can enhance transparency and accountability from raw materials to finished solar products. Our partners...