Sunrun, Nation's Largest Residential Solar Provider, Joins Business Moratorium Against Deep Sea Mining

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ryon Harms, [email protected], 310.730.9407 

EL CERRITO, CA – January 16, 2025 — This week, Sunrun Inc., the nation's largest residential solar and storage company, was formally added to the growing number of businesses calling for a moratorium on deep seabed mining. The commitment comes after productive engagement between shareholder representative As You Sow and Sunrun on the environmental risks posed by this emerging industry. 

Sunrun is the first solar company to formally join the moratorium. It joins the 70 companies—including Google, Apple, Samsung, BMW, Volvo, and Salesforce—in signing the moratorium’s business statement calling on governments to ensure that no deep seabed mining operations proceed unless and until comprehensive scientific assessments demonstrate that such activities can be managed to avoid biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. 

Sunrun’s commitment is particularly significant given its position as the largest residential solar company in America. It brings integrated solar and battery storage systems to more than a million customers. 

Deep sea mining involves extracting polymetallic mineral-containing nodules from the ocean floor at depths of 4,000 to 6,000 meters. Scientists warn that such extraction could cause irreversible damage to some of Earth's least understood and most fragile ecosystems, potentially destroying species before they are discovered and disrupting carbon storage processes critical to climate regulation. 

"Sunrun joining the moratorium brings an important voice from the clean energy sector," said Elizabeth Levy, Biodiversity Program Coordinator at As You Sow. "As a company at the forefront of the renewable energy transition, Sunrun’s commitment underscores that the goal of clean energy shouldn’t come at the expense of our ocean ecosystems and that the solar and battery storage industry can meet growing demand for its products without causing destruction of deep-sea resources." 

While deep sea mining proponents argue that minerals from the ocean floor are necessary for clean energy technologies, responsible terrestrial mining, recycling, and emerging battery technologies can meet industry needs without resorting to deep seabed mineral extraction. 

Following engagement with As You Sow, Sunrun formally communicated its commitment to the organization. By this action, the company adds its voice to the moratorium’s powerful market signal against the commercialization of harmful deep seabed mining. 

"We commend Sunrun for its leadership and hope its example will inspire other companies in the solar and storage industries to follow suit." 

Forty countries including France, Germany, Spain, Chile, and New Zealand, have already called for a precautionary pause or moratorium on deep seabed mining, reflecting growing international concern about the practice. 

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As You Sow is the nation’s leading shareholder representative, with a 30+ year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility. As You Sow addresses a range of issues that affect shareholder value including climate change, ocean plastics, toxins in the food system, biodiversity, racial justice, and workplace diversity. See As You Sow's shareholder resolution tracker.