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REC Annual Report 2011
40
In 2011, for the first time, REC provides environmental performance
data within the annual report. This reflects information collected for
selected GRI indicators. REC will continue to develop its reporting and
disclosure, which will be used as a basis against which to measure and
drive continual improvements in environmental performance. A summary
of REC’s environmental performance is provided below.
Energy and emissions
To ensure REC has a minimal impact on the environment, efforts are
continually made to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Wherever
possible, REC uses low-carbon energy sources such as hydroelectric
power in Norway, natural gas power in Singapore and natural gas and
hydroelectricity in the United States.
In 2011, the total amount of electricity used at RECmanufacturing sites
was 2,107 GWh. Emissions of CO
2
-equivalents due to the generation of
electricity have been calculated on the basis of:
• Carbon free hydroelectric power for Moses Lake
• NorthWest electric grid mix for Butte
• Natural gas power for Singapore
• Norwegian grid mix for the Norwegian plants
This resulted in the indirect emissions of 438,412 tonnesCO
2
-equivalents.
In addition natural gas and diesel consumption of 1,034 GWh results in
the direct emissions of 211,249 tonnes CO
2
-equivalents.
In 2012, REC plans to report carbon emissions in accordance with the
requirements of the GHG Protocol and to expand its reporting to include
additional indirect emission sources such as transportation.
In Singapore, there is a strong commitment to save energy with a site
goal to reduce consumption by seven percent from2010 to 2012. More
than 20 initiatives are identified to achieve this goal, including minor
adjustments and larger operational changes. In 2011, the installation of
ultra-lowNO
X
burners at Butte andMoses Lake resulted in significant
reductions in NO
X
emissions and CO
2
savings through enhanced
efficiency.
Carbon footprint and energy efficiency
The carbon footprint of a product is increasingly a measure of
performance and quality, reflecting both the energy efficiency and the
energy source in the manufacturing chain of the PVmodule as well as the
energy efficiency of the PVmodule itself.
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study was undertaken in 2011 based on
production data from the first quarter of the year. The LCA, conducted
independently by the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN),
calculated the carbon footprint and the energy payback time.
For polysilicon produced in theUS, and forwafers, cells andmodules
produced inSingapore, a carbon footprint of 21gCO
2
-eq/kWhwith a
corresponding energy payback time of 1.2yearswas achieved. Formodules
withwafers and cells produced inNorway, the corresponding valueswere
18gCO
2
-eq/kWh and an energy payback timeof 1.1years. Modules
containing100percent silicon produced using theproprietary FluidizedBed
Reactor (FBR) process in theUSA, wafers and cells produced inNorway and
modules assembled inSingapore have an energy payback timeof 1.0years.
Waste management
An important aspect of REC’s environmental policy is material and waste
management. REC continually investigates opportunities to enhance
level of material reuse and recycling with its design and production
processes, in order to minimize resource consumption. Throughout the
product design process, REC works to reduce material and packaging,
without compromising on quality.
In general all the waste from the manufacturing processes is sorted and
recycled to a high degree with third party waste management facilities.
In 2011, REC sent over 6,000 tonnes of material for recycling.
Any hazardous waste is properly collected and treated. In the polysilicon
production, REC operates with a closed loop cycle process, and the small
waste volumes are handled according to regulatory requirements. All
polysilicon waste is recycled within the manufacturing process and other
inputs recovered and reused. For instance, REC does not dispose of
silicon tetrachloride as a waste, as it is consumed within the closed silane
manufacturing process.
In REC Solar, waste is one of the significant environmental aspects
identified through their ISO 14001management. Waste reduction
programs have been established to reduce the general waste with
five percent through a two year period 2011-2012, as well as to
reduce specific hazardous waste fractions. The aim is to reduce
sludge containing hydrogen fluoride with 20 percent and waste water
containing hydrogen fluoride with 35 percent in the period 2011-2012.
RECWafer achieves a high degree of recycling of silicon carbide (SiC) and
polyethylene glycol (PEG) on site as an integratedpart of thewafer process.
Environmental compliance
REC has a range of HSE-related permits for operations at its sites, and
maintains a record of any non-compliance as part of regulatory HSE
requirements. Non-compliances constitute breach of permit, citations or
violations identified by regulatory audits. In 2010, a total of 34 non-
compliances were recorded, of which seven were open at year end. In
2011, a total of 31 new non-compliances were recorded, and at year end
three were still open.
Of the total 31 non-compliances, 15 were violations from regulatory
audits and 16 were permit breaches. Of the 16 permit breaches, 13 were
short term excursions of emission limits, and three were specific
breaches of permit conditions. None of the breaches are regarded as
significant spills as there were no long-term environmental impacts.
In all permit breach cases, the local environmental authorities were
notified and corrective and preventive measures taken to improve
operational routines and design weaknesses. The number of new and
open non-compliances represents an important KPI for sustainability,
and is reported weekly, monthly and quarterly to ensure special focus
from site management.