Sunrock: Gold European Solar Sustainability Award Winner 2025

Thank you very much. It is a great honour for Sunrock to have received the 2025 Gold European Solar Sustainability Award. This is especially significant as the competition included two initiatives, UNEF, the Spanish Solar PV Association and Bundesverband Neue Energiewirtschaft e.V. (bne), the Association of Energy Market Innovators, both of which presented impactful projects in their own right. Sunrock is thankful to the jury and our peers at the conference for recognising the importance of social and labour practices at PV sites; values that are central to Sunrock’s mission.

The initiative Sunrock introduced is our structural impact assessment of labour conditions at PV construction sites. These assessments aim to evaluate and enhance decent and fair working conditions for migrant workers. It is well known that a large majority of PV construction workers travel from different EU countries to their work destinations. These workers are often unaware of their rights in the countries where they work. The Sunrock labour conditions assessments provide insights into areas where our projects have a positive impact, as well as labour conditions challenges that may still persist. We learn alongside our engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partners and subcontractors to address the identified non-conformities, and promote improved working conditions. Through these efforts, Sunrock sets a benchmark for responsible practices in the solar industry.

We should celebrate sustainability practices in the solar sector because they showcase the sector's commitment to positive impact beyond the green electrons we generate.  While generating clean energy is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the energy transition must go beyond climate goals to address its broader impact on workers, communities and nature. A just energy transition must recognise the importance of nature and biodiversity, while human rights and social equity remain non-negotiable. Equally essential is that communities benefit: the energy transition should empower local populations, generate decent jobs, and promote inclusive economic growth, instead of narrowly benefiting a few. Celebrating sustainability practices signals that the solar sector is embracing this holistic approach to impact, one that aligns climate action with social justice and ecological integrity. It’s about building an energy future that is not only green but also fair, resilient, and respectful of both people and the planet.

Awards such as the European Solar Sustainability Awards provide a vital platform for showcasing innovative and impactful projects that might otherwise go unnoticed. By highlighting initiatives that extend their influence beyond the core business of the PV sector, these awards celebrate companies that invest in creating broader societal and environmental benefits. Beyond recognition, they serve as a powerful motivator – encouraging organisations to push boundaries and continuously strive for excellence in sustainability. For Sunrock, this recognition reinforces our commitment to driving positive change across the solar value chain.