AUO verifies PV module's carbon footprint

AU Optronics (AUO) has reached a milestone in carbon footprint management of PV key components with the completion of the carbon footprint verification on the multi-crystalline PV module EcoDuo PM220P00.

The company said the EcoDuo PM220P00 is the world's first PV module to obtain carbon footprint verification. The international carbon footprint standard PAS2050 was used to determine the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted to produce the PV module. This includes the raw materials, manufacturing and distribution stages.

AUO determined that raw materials account for 82 percent of the module's carbon emission. Manufacturing accounted for about 17 percent while distribution was responsible for 1 percent.

The findings helped AUO adopt new econcepts to substantially reduce the carbon footprint, particularly in the early stages, for solar cell research and development. These include the use of continuous supplier training sessions to improve carbon footprint management. The company also maintains its own e-system to collect carbon footprint data from its suppliers, with the aim of becoming a world leader in the industry.