The UK solar industry has rallied behind plans to develop a supply-chain transparency protocol in response to concerns regarding alleged forced labour in the production of feed stock materials such as polysilicon in China, which is used in the manufacture of solar PV panels.
Solar energy companies have placed on the record their opposition to and condemnation of any human rights abuses taking place anywhere in the global solar energy supply chain.
The statement said: “We, members of the UK solar energy industry, condemn and oppose any abuse of human rights, including forced labour, anywhere in the global supply chain. We support applying the highest possible levels of transparency and sustainability throughout the value chain, and commit to the development of an industry-led traceability protocol to help to ensure our supply chain is free of human rights abuses.”
The statement was developed in consultation with industry members as part of Solar Energy UK’s ongoing supply chain sustainability workstream.
Chris Hewett, chief executive of the Solar Energy UK, said: “This is a matter that UK solar energy industry members are treating with the utmost seriousness. The industry continuously reviews its supply chain protocols, and as the UK’s trade association, we seek to ensure practices are in line with internationally recognised standards.
“The matter of making global supply chains as transparent and sustainable as possible brings a significant degree of complexity. In response to the allegations of forced labour related to the production of polysilicon in Xinjiang, China, we are working with international trade bodies to develop an industry-led traceability protocol to ensure the global solar energy supply chain is free of human rights abuses.”
