While the world is discussing exceeding the 1.5-degree mark, a German solar company has long been working on solutions for below that. With a consistent 1.4-degree strategy, concrete emissions targets, and a clear focus on the supply chain, hep solar demonstrates how sustainable energy production and corporate responsibility can intertwine.
The 1.5-degree mark has been exceeded – and now what?
At the beginning of the year, one thing became clear in the media: Data from renowned weather services such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) show that the 1.5-degree mark has been exceeded on average globally for the first time. The year was the warmest since weather records began, continuing a trend that has been in place since 2015: temperatures are rising, even a little more each year. And even though the first voices are now proclaiming the failure of the Paris Climate Agreement, this conclusion is incorrect. The agreement sets a long-term temperature increase target that will only be broken if the global temperature rise exceeds 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels for 20 consecutive years. This refers to the period between 1850 and 1900, for which the first reliable global temperature data are available and which predates the massive combustion of fossil fuels in industry and the energy supply. Furthermore, the 1.5-degree mark also represents the value within which the risks and impacts of climate change are presumably manageable – which does not mean that a temporary exceedance of this limit will not lead to even more committed and uncompromising efforts.
Limiting global warming: the next steps
Because limiting global warming is about every tenth of a degree, the European Union has presented a comprehensive strategy to further develop the Green Deal as part of the Clean Industrial Deal . The Green Deal is the European roadmap towards climate neutrality by 2050 – with measures in areas such as energy, transport, and agriculture. The Clean Industrial Deal complements this plan with concrete solutions for a climate-friendly industry, for example through clean technologies, increased energy efficiency, and a sustainable supply of critical raw materials. It thus aims to strengthen the competitiveness of a European net-zero industry, accelerate the transition to climate neutrality, and increase demand for EU-produced clean products.
German experts give concrete recommendations for action
Against the backdrop of global political developments and the weakening of international climate targets, the German Climate Consortium (DKK), whose members include the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, has issued recommendations for addressing the 1.5-degree target. In six core messages, the authors of the position paper describe, among other things, the importance of honest communication about the likely failure to meet the 1.5-degree target, the avoidance of further warming by every tenth of a degree, and the crucial role of companies that are already investing in climate-friendly technologies. They explicitly refer to the growth of renewable energies, with investments almost twice as high as those in fossil fuel energy generation, and the approximately 90 percent reduction in the cost of solar energy over the past 20 years.
hep solar’s 1.4-degree corporate strategy
As a solar specialist and project developer, hep solar sees itself as responsible for setting a good example to pave the way for low-carbon energy production. Solar energy offers the right conditions for this. Solar modules have a positive CO2 balance . This means that over their entire lifetime, more emissions are avoided through the production of clean solar power than are initially generated during manufacturing and transport. In hep solar’s case, the CO2 emissions of the solar parks are amortized in less than two years of operation. From then on, they actively contribute to decarbonization.
hep solar considers emissions along the supply chain
Because the business activities related to the development, construction, and operation of solar parks emit greenhouse gases, hep solar focuses on the key area where these emissions arise: the component supply chain. To this end, the solar specialist aims to raise awareness among suppliers regarding their own climate strategies and regularly demand emission reductions in established supplier relationships. For this reason, the group continuously works to encourage all suppliers selected by hep solar for components of its solar parks to develop their own climate strategies.
How high are the emissions from solar parks
A large portion of the emissions generated during the construction of solar parks are attributable to a few main components: solar modules, inverters, and substructures. Together, they account for approximately 81% of total emissions – solar modules alone account for 54%. These figures are based on an analysis of the materials and raw materials used, which are assigned so-called emission factors. This allows hep solar to calculate how many emissions are generated per installed megawatt peak (MWp).
Based on scientific climate models, a target of 209 tons of CO₂ per MWp was defined. This value describes the emissions level that must be met to be consistent with a 1.4-degree climate strategy – and thus enable value creation that respects the limits of the Paris Climate Agreement. If this emissions target were pursued across all sectors, the global temperature rise could be limited to around 1.4°C in the long term – thus making the central goal of the Paris Climate Agreement achievable. hep solar applies this benchmark in its collaboration with its suppliers. In a joint dialogue, they examine how this target can be achieved along the supply chain.
Emission reduction in practice
The core objective of the Paris Climate Agreement remains the same, even in light of the Clean Industrial Deal: to combine economic growth and climate goals. To achieve this, however, companies must achieve a decoupling of value creation and emissions and manage their business activities according to this objective. This means expanding their sales or production without correspondingly increasing their emissions. In the best case, they can even reduce them. This so-called green decoupling can be achieved through, among other things, increasing energy efficiency, decarbonizing the supply chain, implementing a circular economy, and switching to modern energies. hep solar can provide particular support in the transition from fossil fuels to solar-generated electricity.
From the roof to the socket: Solar energy for companies
Companies that use roofs, facades, or open spaces to generate solar power are making an active contribution to reducing their CO₂ emissions. hep solar supports them as a partner on equal terms – from planning and construction to operation of the solar system, tailored to local conditions and operational requirements.
A practical example demonstrates what’s possible: A photovoltaic system with a peak output of 423 kilowatts (kWp) was installed on a 2,900 m² roof area. It produces approximately 378,585 kilowatt hours of solar power annually, saving between 83 and 126 tons of CO₂ per year through self-consumption and feed-in. An important step toward greater energy self-sufficiency and corporate responsibility.
Sources: Max Planck Society , European Commission , hep solar