SoliTek’s SOLID modules received Cradle to Cradle Silver Certificate

European solar panel manufacturer SoliTek (Vilnius, Lithuania) has earned a Silver level cradle to Cradle Certified™ award for its advanced glass-glass SOLID module range. The company embarked on a demanding Cradle to Cradle Certified^TM process in the beginning of 2020, responding to a growing interest for environmentally sustainable solar panels in Europe, especially Scandinavia and Benelux, the primary SoliTek markets.

SoliTek solar panel was awarded by globally renown Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Products Program, managed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, being the first solar panel to achieve Silver level worldwide. 

“SoliTek has been producing solar panels in a sustainable way for years, using both solar and geothermal energy in the process, sourcing only trusted parts and materials and recycling majority of the waste generated during manufacturing.

Technology and manufacturing innovation are SoliTek DNA. In 10 years of R&D and manufacturing, we have matured to offer the European market an exceptional product, a Cradle to Cradle Certified™ solar panel, that meets the strictest demands of a circular economy,” says Julius Sakalauskas, CEO of SoliTek.

The introduction of Cradle to Cradle Certified^TM has been driven by the need of differentiating our product among competitors as we already worked according to the program requirements related to the design and manufacturing process.

Another factor is the rapidly expanding demand for this type of premium solar panels in European markets, aligned with the Cradle to Cradle principles like the Netherlands, possibly the most advanced solar market in the EU.

“We are looking forward strengthening our competitive advantage in the European market as the competition from the far east companies gets tighter every day. We have already a very strong commitment from our partners in Benelux countries to expand our cooperation to a new level of Cradle to Cradle Certified™ products,” – says CEO of SoliTek.

Dutch market in particular is generating a high demand for the highest quality solar panels, mainly because of strict fire safety regulations, as well as tight regulations governing construction sectors. And these demanding conditions are spreading across all the W. Europe, as the New Green Deal policy, introduced by French and German leaders, is gaining momentum.

“SoliTek has long standing relationships with local large-scale urban developers, as well as commercial real estate development partners, that are in big need of Cradle to Cradle^TM Certified construction materials, solar panels among them too. Such a product will help them reach a new level of construction sustainability levels,” – says CEO of SoliTek.

According to Mr. Julius Sakalauskas, the European end-consumer also gets more demanding, with eco-friendliness, high fire safety standards and long product lifespan entering the top of mind considering which solar panel to choose.

The Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program assesses 5 quality categories for circular economy compatible products:

• Material Health.
  Safe and healthy product for people and the environment, from production to reuse.
• Material Reutilisation. Eliminate the concept of waste.
  100% retrieval and up-cycling.
• Renewable Energy & Carbon Management. Manufactured with clean energy.
  Manufacturers generate a positive impact in energy supply, ecosystem balance and maintaining soil carbon levels and vegetation.
• Water Stewardship. Protection of water as a precious resource.
  Exit water is cleaner than entry water.
• Social Fairness. Respect human and natural systems.
  Responsible business from their operations to their ethics regarding supply chain and natural environment. Being a partner to all interest groups.

“SoliTek R&D collaborates on major European solar panel recycling projects and other circular economy initiatives for more than 5 years. We are working with major European solar technology research centers and we are leading the fifth Horizon2020 project.

So, the wealth of knowledge in our disposition helped us implementing Cradle to Cradle^TM Certified smoothly and efficiently,” says Julius Denafas, Head of SoliTek R&D.

“We believe that achieving maximum sustainability will bring us both economic benefits and maintain our reputation as a solar technology innovation leader in the EU,” says Julius Sakalauskas, CEO of SoliTek.

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Cradle To Cradle Silver Certificate

Cradle to Cradle Certified ^TM is a certification mark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

All certification procedures by Eco Intelligent Growth, Barcelona.