In contrast to their actions, the United Kingdom is taking a very courageous step. They are investing £200 million in rolling out solar power across 200 schools and NHS hospitals. A critical aspect of this initiative has raised eyebrows: the solar panels being utilized are primarily manufactured in China, a country that dominates the global solar panel market.
Due to China’s heavy investment in the sector, they now produce about three quarters of the world’s solar panels. As cited by the International Energy Agency, more than 80% of the manufacturing steps take place within its borders. As of 2023, the UK imported 61% of its solar from China. According to HMRC trade data, this figure increased to a shocking 68% in 2024. The routine dependence on Chinese products is due to their lower prices than products made elsewhere.
The solar panels for the “Great British Energy” initiative were specifically produced by two prominent Chinese companies, Longi and Aiko. These companies are part of the Solar Stewardship Initiative. They’ve taken a private, public, and legally binding pledge to remove all instances of forced labor from their production and supply chains. Even with these reassurances, questions still persist about the sourcing of materials, especially polysilicon, a critical ingredient of solar panels. As much as 50 percent of the world’s polysilicon supply comes from China’s Xinjiang region. This region has recently come under fire for horrific claims of human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities.
The Chinese government has repeatedly denied accusations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang. International scrutiny has not waned, in part because credible reporting continues to surface that lays bare systemic abuses on the ground in the region. In fact, the UK government is moving too quickly to renewable energy. This transformation leads to difficult ethical dilemmas regarding the practice of gathering materials.
“There is no place for forced labour or unethical practices in the UK’s energy transition.” – GB Energy spokesperson
Labour MP Sarah Champion expressed both excitement and concern over the initiative, stating, “I’m really excited about the principle of GB Energy.” When using taxpayer dollars, she said, ethical sourcing becomes crucial. Champion remarked, “It’s taxpayers’ money and we should not be supporting slave labour with that money.”
The ethical implications extend beyond financial considerations. Aiko’s spokesperson reiterated their commitment to upholding “the highest standards of ethical business conduct and responsible sourcing.” They added, “We take any concerns related to human rights and labour practices seriously and expect our suppliers to do the same.”
Champion also noted that as appealing as the cheaper alternatives sound, they are not worth the moral price tag. She noted, “That means that yes, unfortunately, in the short term, solar panels are probably going to be slightly more expensive.” She pointed to new competitors that have emerged as global sources of solar panels. These are just a few examples, so too Taiwan, Canada, and yes, even the UK.
Like Longi, OW .n also recently recognized that labor practices and supply chain transparency are important issues. Their spokesperson stated that the company “categorically affirms that forced labour has no place within our supply chain.” They continued on to say that independent third-party audits are key for ensuring a company’s compliance with international labor standards.
“While the complexity of global supply chains presents challenges, Longi remains steadfast in its efforts to eliminate any risks associated with forced labour.” – Longi spokesperson
Champion underlined the insidious nature of abuse within renewable supply chains, stating that “abuse in renewable supply chains is insidious and hard to root out.” This feeling is indicative of a developing realization of the ethical conflicts built into the shift to renewable energy alternatives.
As England’s schools embrace solar energy through this landmark initiative, they face a dual challenge: advancing sustainability while ensuring ethical integrity in their supply chains. This heavy reliance on Chinese-made solar panels raises some serious questions over the environmental impact of their production. It also deepens troubling questions about human rights and labor practices within global trade networks.