EPD is licence to operate for solartag
Since 2019, Solartag has revolutionised solar roofs by integrating solar cells in the design of the roof and thus creating a consistent and sustainable solution. To document the environmental impact, they have made an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in collaboration with Bureau Veritas on a solar module that is functionally comparable to a roof tile. In addition to creating internal pride and optimised processes, the EPD ensures a credible assessment of the product's environmental footprint, strengthens Solartag's position on the market and is a "license to operate".
Solartag is a Danish company which has been working to create a completely new experience with solar roofs since 2019 ensuring that aesthetics and sustainability go hand in hand. Solartag offers integrated roof solutions, where the solar cells are part of the roof itself, as opposed to conventional roofs, where solar cells are simply placed on top of the roof. This creates a consistent and stylish expression that both serves as an energy source and complements Danish building traditions.
To document the environmental impact of their product, Solartag chose to have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) made. The EPD is based on a solar cell module that can be compared to a roof tile functionally. The module measures 0.5 m2 and weighs 5.75 kg. "We work in an industry where sustainability is in focus. In order to bid on larger projects, it is necessary to have a credible and transparent assessment of the product's environmental footprint," says Mikkel Karlsson, CEO of Solartag.
To ensure a good and safe start of a complex task, Solartag chose Bureau Veritas as a partner on their EPD journey. Bureau Veritas was chosen because of their strong reputation and extensive experience with third-party verifications and EPDs, as well as their ability to make complex processes easily understandable. Julie Larsen, LCA & EPD Consultant at Bureau Veritas, says "We have had a good collaboration with Solartag, where we could feel their willingness and interest in developing an EPD and mapping their environmental impact. This required a close collaboration with the entire supply chain – a task that Solartag handled very well." Now that the EPD is done, it has turned out that it not only helps Solartag document their green profile externally – it also creates a great value internally.
PRIDE, OPTIMISATION AND A STRENGTHENED MARKET POSITION WITH EPD
The employees at Solartag have gained a deeper insight into the environmental impact of their products, which creates pride in the company's sustainability efforts. The EPD has not only helped identify and improve internal processes, but it has also strengthened Solartag's position on the market. It has opened doors to new customers who demand documented sustainability. It has also improved the dialogue with suppliers, who now face higher demands on the environmental impact of materials. "Our customers can be sure that they are getting a product with a transparent environmental footprint. In short, it is our 'licence to operate' in the BtB segment," Mikkel Karlsson elaborates. Furthermore, the third-party verification from Bureau Veritas can be used actively in their marketing efforts, e.g. in brochures, to further support the credibility of their sustainability efforts.
A LOOK TOWARDS FUTURE, SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Solartag's journey towards sustainability is far from over, and there will for instance be more third-party verifications in the future. "We will continuously ensure that our products meet the highest environmental and quality standards, while at the same time developing new, innovative solutions where stylish designs and the green transition go hand in hand," says Mikkel Karlsson, CEO of Solartag.
