The Global Supply Chains and forced labour organisations have highlighted the vulnerability of the solar PV industry to modern slavery.
According to the Global Slavery index, which was released in 2023, over $14 billion of solar PV imports from the G20 countries are at risk of being affected by this type of exploitation. In response, the US has taken various steps to address this issue, such as implementing the Uyghur forced labour prevention act.
By 2050, solar PV is predicted to become Europe's primary source of electricity.
Today, investments in solar PV surpass those of oil production. There will also be over $1.7 trillion allocated for clean energy projects.
When it comes to solar PV, the small photovoltaic cells are composed of a semiconducting material known as silicon. One of the most important materials used in the production of solar PV is polysilicon, which is a high-purity type of silicon. This material is melted to produce ingots, which are then sliced into wafers and used in the assembly of solar cells. Due to its excellent stability and numerous applications, polysilicon is used in almost all solar PV modules.
Over the past decade, China has been able to develop its manufacturing capabilities for solar PV. It has been able to achieve a significant market share in every stage of the production process.
China's Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, which is the largest producer of polysilicon in the world, accounts for approximately 35% of the global supply of this material. All of the region's polysilicon plants are powered by coal, which creates a high-carbon polysilicon product. By 2025, China's share of the global market is expected to reach almost 95%. Other regions of the country, which are not affected by the XUAR, are expected to contribute to the polysilicon market's growth.
Despite China's dominance in the solar PV manufacturing industry, other countries are starting to develop their manufacturing capabilities.
If you are buying solar PV panels, please consider ethic procurement.
Here are two businesses, both UK based, supporting the UK economy and operate a strict anti-slavery policy,
* UKSOL Ltd - https://www.uksol.uk/
* Anglo Solar - https://www.anglosolar.com/