Despite being one of the industries with the highest resource requirements, the textile sector has long been a pillar of the world economy. Due to their heavy reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels, traditional textile production techniques have a large carbon footprint and cause substantial environmental harm. Textile manufacturing is significantly dependent on energy at every step of production, from heating water for dyeing and finishing to powering machines for knitting and weaving. According to a World Bank research, the manufacture of textiles is thought to be responsible for 10% of carbon emissions worldwide and 20% of industrial wastewater worldwide. The use of conventional energy sources like coal and natural gas is a big cause of pollution in the environment. The industry is increasingly implementing renewable energy alternatives in response to rising worries about climate change and environmental sustainability. Solar power has emerged as one such option. Production facilities powered by solar energy not only reduce the negative environmental effects of the textile industry, but they also have significant positive social and economic effects.
The Growth of Solar Energy in the Production of Textiles:
The use of solar energy in the textile sector has increased dramatically during the last ten years. Global momentum has been created by improvements in solar technology, falling solar photovoltaic (PV) system prices, and encouraging government policies. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that since 2010, solar PV system costs have decreased by more than 80%, making solar energy a more and more attractive alternative for industrial uses, such as textiles. There are two primary kinds of solar power systems used in textile facilities: ground-mounted solar farms and rooftop solar installations. Due to space constraints, rooftop solar is common in urban settings, but ground-mounted solar farms often have plenty of land. Together, these two kinds of installations move the textile industry closer to a more sustainable future, each with its own set of advantages and challenges.
The advantages of solar-powered manufacturing facilities
Environmental Benefits: Using solar energy to produce textiles greatly lowers greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, MAS Holdings became a pioneer in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector with the launch of Project Photon in 2017. With the installation of 67,000 solar panels, which can power around 34,000 houses and span an area the size of ten cricket stadiums, they are saving almost 18,000 tons of CO2 yearly.
Economic Benefits: Solar energy has a number of important financial benefits. With potential energy cost savings of up to 80%, solar power systems have a hefty initial investment, but they can provide significant long-term savings. A return on investment may come from this in four to five years. Government rebates, tax credits and other incentives are often offered to encourage the use of solar energy, which increases its financial attractiveness even further. The biggest exporter of clothing from India, Shahi Exports, made investments in two 84 MW solar power facilities. It is anticipated that this investment would save the corporation around USD 4.7 million on power costs each year. The whole cost savings over the solar panels’ 25-year lifetime might exceed USD 117.5 million.
Social Benefits: Solar-powered establishments encourage the development of long-term, sustainable jobs. Local economies are stimulated by the employment generated in the renewable energy industry by installing and servicing solar panels. Large swaths of unutilized rooftop space are common in textile facilities, making solar panel installation an ideal option. Businesses may increase their energy independence and decrease their dependency on the grid by using this underutilized resource to produce sustainable energy on-site. A growing number of nations are enacting laws requiring the usage of renewable energy. Textile firms may make sure they are in compliance with these standards and stay out of trouble by making solar power investments. Furthermore, businesses that use green practices often see improvements in customer loyalty and brand recognition. Companies that put sustainability first are more likely to draw in and keep customers at a time when consumers are becoming more and more concerned about the environment.
Case Studies of Global Textile Facilities Powered by Solar Energy: India
India has advanced significantly in the use of solar energy in the textile sector. A 16 MW solar power plant was built by Arvind Limited, a significant participant in the Indian textile industry, allowing it to meet a large amount of its energy needs and reduce its yearly carbon emissions by 20,000 metric tons. Welspun India is another notable example, having integrated solar power into many sites, leading to significant energy savings and a smaller environmental impact.
China: The country that produces the most textiles worldwide has also been a leading adopter of solar energy. Rooftop solar panels capable of producing more than 10 MW of power have been installed at H&M supplier sites in Jiangsu province, considerably lowering their reliance on coal. Through generous rules and subsidies, the Chinese government has been instrumental in boosting renewable energy, making solar power an attractive option for textile makers.
USA: Businesses leading the way in sustainability there include Patagonia. It has built more than 1.5 megawatts of renewable electricity on-site at our sites in Ventura, California, and Reno, Nevada. Furthermore, Eileen Fisher has installed solar panels at its headquarters in Irvington, New York, demonstrating the viability of solar electricity in high-value, smaller textile enterprises.
Europe: Sunlight power is also being incorporated into the operations of European textile industries. Textil Santanderina has made solar energy investments in Spain. With the installation of solar cells, they produced 804,532 kW of power in 2023 and want to quadruple that amount by 2024–2025, resulting in a 400 T eq CO2 decrease. With the installation of a 2 MW solar power system, the Italian textile manufacturer Canepa was able to cut their yearly carbon emissions by 1,500 metric tons and their energy expenditures by 60%.
Solar Energy’s Problems and Solutions: Initial Expense:
For many organizations, the high initial cost of solar power installations is a significant barrier. But with several financing options—like power purchase agreements (PPAs), leasing, and green loans—businesses can spread the cost over time and increase the accessibility of solar electricity. Solar energy is a financially feasible choice because of government incentives and subsidies that may drastically lower the initial outlay.
Technological Restrictions: The weather and daylight hours affect solar power generation, which might result in an irregular supply of electricity. A reliable energy supply may be achieved by combining solar energy with other renewable energy sources, such as wind or battery storage. Modern energy storage technologies, such flow and lithium-ion batteries, enable the storing of excess solar energy for use in low-light conditions.
