Representatives from prominent European PV research institutes and organizations, European PV associations, and European PV manufacturers have come together to advocate for changes in the proposed methodologies for the Ecodesign and Energy Label legislation.
In a joint letter addressed to the European Commission (February 1st 2024), they emphasize the need for regulations that serve the climate, the environment and that have a rational and robust methodology. All of the signatories agree on that Ecodesign and Energy Labelling legislations, which set carbon footprint thresholds for PV modules to enter the EU market, have the potential to uphold the competitive advantage of the European PV manufacturing value chain, and could, to some extent counteract the weaker environmental laws outside the EU. But this if ― and only if ― the carbon footprint calculation methodology prevents greenwashing and closes loopholes for manipulation.