Third-party report validates company's environmentally friendly operations, positioning Upsolar as a strong contender in France's solar tenders

PARIS – September 24, 2014 – Upsolar, a leading provider of solar PV modules, today announced its exemplary performance in a third-party carbon footprint analysis. The report, completed by an objective, France-based solar services provider, found that Upsolar's purchasing decisions and manufacturing process are responsible for significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than the industry average.

In accordance with the strict specifications required to participate in France's call for tenders, the assessment calculated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with the eight primary steps of module production, from raw materials sourcing to cell encapsulation to module laminating and assembly.

The components and manufacturing of Upsolar's polycrystalline 250Wp modules were found to generate as little as 439.9 kg of CO2 per kWp, and its polycrystalline 260Wp products yielded only 423.0 kg of CO2 per kWp.

Upsolar maintains its low footprint by partnering with Europe's leaders in sustainable manufacturing and by using components sourced from countries such as Germany, Taiwan, Belgium and Italy for its bill of materials. Additionally, the company works with PV Cycle to manage end-of-life procedures for its modules, in compliance with the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

"Distributors and installers have no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a module provider, and it's no surprise that sustainability has jumped to the top of the list of considerations," said Emilie Fages, Country Manager for the France-Benelux region. "France is among the world's most progressive countries in terms of the demands placed on companies participating in its tenders. Upsolar shares this drive for consistent improvement, and we're committed to setting the bar even higher in the future."

Upsolar is a longtime contributor to the French solar market, with several large-scale projects developed in 2014 alone. Customers in France can also benefit from Upsolar's Pass Locasolaire program, which allows property owners to earn additional income by leasing their rooftop space for PV installations.