Navigating forced labour concerns in the solar supply chain
The solar industry faces a significant ethical challenge: approximately 35-45% of the world’s polysilicon, the key raw material in 95% of solar panels, is produced in China’s Xinjiang region, where there are documented reports of forced labour involving Uyghur and other Muslim minorities. Every stage of the solar supply chain has potential exposure to these concerns, making truly ethical sourcing complex but not impossible.
For UK homeowners wanting to install solar panels without supporting human rights abuses, the options include UK-manufactured panels from GB-Sol, panels from manufacturers with verified traceability systems, thin-film technology that uses no polysilicon (such as First Solar), or panels certified under the emerging Solar Stewardship Initiative. None of these options is perfect, but understanding the issues allows informed choices.
This guide explains the ethical concerns in solar manufacturing, what UK homeowners can do about them, which certifications and standards exist, and how to assess the ethical credentials of the panels being offered to you. The goal is not to discourage solar adoption, as solar remains essential for addressing climate change, but to help you make choices aligned with your values.
Ethical Sourcing at a Glance
Core concernForced labour in Xinjiang polysilicon
Xinjiang polysilicon share~35-45% of global supply
Panels affected~95% of silicon-based modules
Only UK manufacturerGB-Sol (South Wales)
Key certificationSolar Stewardship Initiative
Polysilicon-free optionFirst Solar (thin-film CdTe)
The Xinjiang Forced Labour Issue
Background
Region
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, northwest China
Affected population
Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities
UN assessment
Potential crimes against humanity (2022 report)
Labour transfer programmes
State-sponsored; documented by multiple sources
Independent verification
Not possible in Xinjiang
Why Solar Is Particularly Affected
Factor
Explanation
Polysilicon concentration
35-45% of global polysilicon from Xinjiang
Cheap electricity
Coal-subsidised power attracts energy-intensive production
Supply chain integration
Xinjiang polysilicon blended with other sources in China
Wafer production
97% of wafers made in China; polysilicon sources mixed
Traceability challenges
Difficult to separate Xinjiang-linked materials
Key Reports and Evidence
Source
Finding
Sheffield Hallam University (2021)
“In Broad Daylight” report linked 11 solar companies to forced labour
UN Human Rights Office (2022)
Potential crimes against humanity in Xinjiang
US Department of Labor
Added Chinese polysilicon to List of Goods Produced with Forced Labor
Guardian investigation (2021)
Up to 40% of UK solar farms using panels from linked companies
The Blending Problem
Polysilicon is traded as a commodity and blended during manufacturing. One expert assessment concluded: “No silicon-based solar panel you can buy today that is not suspect.” Even manufacturers claiming clean supply chains may have indirect exposure through the wafer production bottleneck.
Ethical Options for UK Homeowners
Ranking by Ethical Assurance
Rank
Option
Assurance Level
Notes
1
GB-Sol (UK-made)
Highest
UK factory; Ethical Consumer top-rated
2
First Solar thin-film
High (no polysilicon)
Limited UK residential availability
3
SSI-certified manufacturers
Good (verified)
Certification still rolling out
4
UKSOL (SMETA-audited)
Good
Overseas manufacturing
5
Major brands with bifurcated supply
Moderate
Claims difficult to verify fully
6
Standard Chinese panels
Low
Likely Xinjiang exposure
GB-Sol: The UK Option
Location
South Wales, UK
Status
Only UK solar panel factory manufacturer
Ethical Consumer rating
Top-rated for many years
Supply chain
Comprehensive policies and oversight
Cost premium
20-40% above standard panels
Trade-off
Higher cost; more limited product range
Cost Implications
Option
Typical Premium
Notes
UK-made (GB-Sol)
20-40% above standard
Higher upfront; ethical assurance
European assembly
10-20% above standard
Often still uses Asian components
SSI-certified Chinese
5-10% above standard
Certification costs passed on
Standard Chinese panels
Baseline
Lowest cost; highest ethical risk
Certifications and Standards
Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI)
Launched by
SolarPower Europe and Solar Energy UK
Coverage
70%+ of global manufacturing capacity
Certification types
ESG (environmental/social) and Traceability
Target
100% of UK/EU panels certified by 2028
Pipeline
100 GW of modules awaiting assessment
Questions to Ask Your Installer
Question
What You Want to Hear
Where is the polysilicon from?
Non-Xinjiang sources; documented traceability
Is the panel SSI-certified?
Yes, with certificate number available
Can you offer GB-Sol or UK-made?
Yes, with quote available
What supply chain audits exist?
Third-party verification; documented policies
Is traceability documentation available?
Bill of materials; origin certificates
Balancing Ethics and Climate Action
The Trade-Off
Consideration
Perspective
Climate urgency
Solar deployment essential for net zero
Perfect vs good
Any solar better than fossil fuels
Market pressure
Demand for ethical panels drives change
Cost barriers
Higher ethical costs may limit adoption
System change
Individual choices contribute to industry reform
The pragmatic view: Refusing to install solar panels does not solve supply chain problems. The most constructive approach combines practical choices (selecting more ethical options where affordable) with supporting industry reform through demand signals and advocacy.
Industry Progress
Positive Developments
Development
Impact
SSI certification launching
100 GW pipeline for assessment
Traceability Standard published
Clear requirements for supply chain tracking
EU regulations
Forcing due diligence improvements
Polysilicon diversification
New capacity outside Xinjiang
Manufacturer pledges
175+ companies signed SEIA forced labour pledge
Ongoing Challenges
Challenge
Status
Blending continues
Xinjiang polysilicon mixed with other sources
Verification impossible in Xinjiang
No independent audits permitted
Wafer concentration
97% in China; bottleneck for traceability
Cost pressure
Ethical sourcing adds expense
Limited alternatives
Non-Chinese supply still small
Summary
Ethical Solar Sourcing – Key Facts
Core issue35-45% of polysilicon from Xinjiang; forced labour documented
Panel exposure~95% of silicon panels have potential supply chain links
Best UK optionGB-Sol (UK-manufactured; Ethical Consumer top-rated)
Alternative technologyFirst Solar thin-film (no polysilicon)
Key certificationSolar Stewardship Initiative; 100% target by 2028
Cost premium10-40% for verified ethical sourcing
Ethical solar panel sourcing is genuinely challenging because the industry’s dominant position in China, particularly the concentration of polysilicon production in Xinjiang, means that most panels have some level of supply chain exposure to forced labour concerns. The Sheffield Hallam University research found that nearly all silicon-based panels are potentially affected, given how polysilicon from different sources is blended during manufacturing.
For UK homeowners who prioritise ethics, the clearest option is GB-Sol, the only conventional solar panel manufacturer with a factory in the UK. Their panels are made in South Wales with comprehensive supply chain policies and oversight, earning them the top rating from Ethical Consumer magazine for many years. The trade-off is higher cost and a more limited product range compared to mass-market Chinese manufacturers.
The Solar Stewardship Initiative represents the industry’s main response to these concerns. Launched by SolarPower Europe and Solar Energy UK, it now covers over 70% of global manufacturing capacity and is rolling out both ESG and traceability certifications. By 2028, the target is for 100% of panels sold in the UK and EU to come from certified sites.
The broader context matters too. Solar energy remains essential for addressing climate change, and refusing to install panels does not solve the supply chain problems. The most constructive approach combines practical choices with supporting industry reform. As certification schemes mature and supply chains diversify, ethical sourcing should become easier and more affordable over time.
