Global Solar Energy Council: New Brand and Strategic Vision for the Photovoltaic Industry

A new era for photovoltaic solar energy

The Global Solar Council (GSC) announced the launch of its new brand and strategic vision, with the aim of accelerating the adoption of photovoltaic solar energy globally. The evolution in positioning comes at a crucial time to join forces in the photovoltaic industry and keep the planet on track to limit global warming to 1,5°C.

According to Sonia Dunlop, CEO of GSC, the solar energy is a growing industry, having recently surpassed 1 terawatt (TW) of installed capacity in the world, resulting in the reduction of 300 million tons of CO2. “But the full potential of solar photovoltaics has not yet been utilized. We need to unite the global industry to address our common challenges, maximize deployment and deliver the solar revolution with speed, scale and high quality standards. Every person in the world deserves access to solar electricity, whether on the roof of their home or through their supplier, and no country should be left behind. With the new GSC strategy and our growing network of companies around the world, we are working harder than ever to make this a reality,” he says.

Máté Heisz, Chairman of the Board of the GSC and Director of Global Affairs at SolarPower Europe, adds that the new brand and strategic vision of the GSC mark a crucial moment for the organization. “We are intensifying our efforts to accelerate solar energy around the world. The Global Solar Energy Council is on a mission to unify all solar PV stakeholders towards the 1,5°C climate goal. We are convinced that solar energy will be the beating heart of our clean and sustainable future, and we invite all solar energy actors to join our journey.”

New brand, renewed vision

The organization's new brand embodies its core values ​​of passion, community and progress as a leader in the global energy transition. Alyssa Pek, Director of Strategy and Communications at GSC, comments that the new brand is much more than a renewed logo – it is a visual and strategic representation of the organization's growth. “We took all the elements from our original logo and evolved them into a bolder symbol of optimism and hope. We did the same with our strategic priorities. We are building on the excellent work of our predecessors and members, and evolving to be even more ambitious and impactful – benefiting a broader group of members to realize our potential as an organization and as an industry,” she highlights.

GSC seeks to build a fair and sustainable world with photovoltaic solar energy at the heart of a new energy economy. To achieve this vision, the organization is now focusing its strategy on three main pillars:

1. Politics and Defense of Interests: Support the industry to advocate policies and regulations at the global and national level, to ensure the rapid and long-term growth of the solar PV industry.
2. Building Networks and Knowledge: bring together policymakers, investors and representatives from industry and international institutions, to provide best practices and develop capabilities to open doors to new markets and business opportunities.
3. Defining Standards and Solutions: leverage expertise to develop and promote global standards and solutions for photovoltaic solar energy, in order to shape a competitive, high-quality and sustainable industry.

Regional actions and working groups

As part of this renewed strategic vision, the GSC also announced a series of working group actions focused on key areas essential to the future growth of the solar PV industry. These workstreams will be a collaboration between GSC members and other key stakeholders who are experts and change agents in their fields.

New streams in the GSC working groups include:

1. Network Integration and Storage: Led by associate SMA Solar, this workstream aims to share best practices to increase grid capacity and flexibility to accommodate growing solar power generation, explore how technology can provide services to the grid, and address technical and regulatory.
2. Finances: Led by associate Jinko Solar, this workstream will develop innovative financial solutions and structures to make solar energy investments more affordable and attractive, especially in emerging markets, involving both private sector investors and development banks.
3. Supply chain: Jointly led by industry representatives from all regions of the world, this workstream focuses on strengthening the solar supply chain to ensure transparency, resilience, competition and sustainability.
4. Skills: Led in collaboration with associate GWO, a training standards expert, this workstream is dedicated to building a skilled workforce capable of supporting the expansion of the solar industry. A key outcome of this workstream will be the development of the Solar Training Standards Initiative.

Opportunities for membership and collaboration

The GSC invites companies and associations involved in the solar industry globally to join its growing network and be part of the organization's renewed strategy to accelerate the deployment of solar energy around the world. Membership offers a range of benefits, including enhanced marketing and visibility, market expansion support, political intelligence and access to B2B and B2G networking opportunities.

For more information about joining and to become part of the solar revolution, visit www.globalsolarcouncil.org.

About the Global Solar Energy Council

The Global Solar Energy Council (GSC) is the united voice of the solar industry around the world. As a nonprofit, our vision is to create a just and sustainable world with solar energy at the heart of a new energy economy. Driven by our passion for a cleaner, fairer world, we work as a community to ensure all voices are heard, advocating for rapid progress in the fight for climate. We advise governments on pressing issues central to the solar transition, including finance, networks, skills and supply chains.

Representing all parts of the company’s value chain photovoltaic solar energy, we provide our corporate members with policy advice, increased visibility for their brands, market expansion support, and B2B and B2G networking. For our association members, the GSC provides international advocacy opportunities to resolve challenges in their markets, policy briefings, and an enhanced value proposition for its own members. Get involved at globalsolarcouncil.org and follow us on LinkedIn, WeChat and X.

Source:

Thiago Nassa