SunRun focuses on emissions, supply chain and recycling in 2022 ESG report

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
As the rooftop sector grows, companies are looking to grow sustainably and meet ESG targets. Image: SunRun

US residential solar and storage provider SunRun has published its environmental, social and governance (ESG) report for 2022, highlighting its plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensure supply chain traceability and enhance its solar PV recycling and sustainability processes.

According to its Impact Report, 2022 saw SunRun’s GHG emissions intensity (carbon produced per MW deployed) drop 10% year-on-year. This is despite a significant rise in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions arising from a 25% increase in operational volume.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The company said that it focused on reducing its recorded Scope 3 emissions – those resulting from operations relating to its business but not directly controlled by the company – by obtaining more supplier and product data.

In its earnings call for last year, SunRun recorded over 25% capacity increase YoY, with notable growth in California ahead of the state’s net metering policy change that has come into effect this month.

Its total emissions increased by 14% compared with 2021, with direct emissions increasing by 63%.

In its stated ESG targets, SunRun said that it intends to decrease the GHG emissions intensity of its operations by 20% by the end of the decade compared with 2021 levels.

The company also said it aims to recycle 100% of its decommissioned solar panels by the end of this year and all of its batteries and inverters by the end of 2025. It said that in 2022 over 85% of its decommissioned panels were either redeployed or recycled.

Last week the US Department of Energy announced investments into PV recycling projects designed to make the process more cost-effective and comprehensive from manufacturing to end-of-life. PV Tech Premium recently spoke with US recycling firms about the state of PV recycling.

Supply chain traceability and security was also discussed in the report, and SunRun expressed its commitment to a Vendor Code Of Conduct which requires suppliers to conform to environmental, sustainability and ethical mineral sourcing policies. It said that it has conducted factory quality and traceability audits of around 50% of its suppliers, with a view to expanding this to 80% by the end of 2024.

In November last year, SunRun’s CEO Mary Powell called for action to reduce the module supply constraints that have been affecting the US following the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and the uncertainty from the ongoing anti-dumping/countervailing duty tariff saga.

The overall US residential market has been growing and is set to continue doing so according to a report published last month. The general trend towards consumer independence and the desire for freedom from fluctuating prices has driven the increase, and has been reflected across the world in Germany and Australia.  

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

September 17, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$350 million through a long-term financing facility to expand its 6GW utility-scale solar and battery storage pipeline in the US. 
September 17, 2025
Chinese module producer DAS Solar is planning a 5GW manufacturing facility focused on producing high-efficiency back contact cells.
September 17, 2025
The California State Legislature has passed two bills that aim to reduce energy prices in the state, AB 825 and SB 302.
September 17, 2025
QatarEnergy has signed an EPC agreement with Samsung C&T for its 2GW Dukhan project. 
Premium
September 17, 2025
PV CellTech: Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of North American solar module manufacturer Heliene, says US producers must learn to survive without tax incentives.
September 16, 2025
Sunotec has launched Sunotec Nordic to spearhead solar and hybrid renewable project development across the Nordic region.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA