Proponents of accelerating solar energy around the world face a overlooked challenge: the industry’s supply chains depend heavily on Xinjiang, a Chinese region of the United States government and others say it is the scene of genocide against local ethnic minorities, including the Muslim majority. Uighur inhabitants.
About half of the world’s supply of polysilicon, an essential ingredient in most solar panels, comes from this part of northwest China, where human rights groups and U.S. officials say China operates an extensive network. of internment camps that, according to the U.S., have held more than a million Uyghurs, a Muslim minority group.
Some in the renewable energy industry say they fear that polysilicon and other essential materials from Xinjiang may have links to forced labor. And the lack of unrestricted access to Xinjiang means it is difficult to ensure that providers are not related in any way to human rights abuses.
Global pressure to curb trade with Xinjiang is increasing. Both the United States and the European Union are weighing legislation that could lead to a ban on imports of more products from the region, including polysilicon. The United States has already banned imports of cotton and tomatoes produced in Xinjiang in January.
Many Western solar companies are already engaged in reducing exposure to the region, fearing that their industry will be highlighted next.