Solar Industry Exposed: The Hidden Tragedy of Modern Slavery in the Australian Energy Sector

The solar market in Australia has come under scrutiny due to its association with forced labour practices, particularly in the production of solar panels. Reports have linked several solar companies in China, including those connected to the Uyghur population, to forced labour in their supply chains. This raises important ethical questions about the solar industry's role in supporting modern slavery. Despite government actions and the push for a clean energy transition, the solar industry continues to face challenges in ensuring a transparent and ethical supply chain. This blog examines the link between solar panel production, the use of forced labour, and the steps needed for a just transition to renewable energy in the Australian market.

What is modern slavery in the solar industry?

Modern slavery in the solar industry refers to the use of forced labor practices, particularly among the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, China, in the production of solar panels. Reports have linked several solar companies with factories in Xinjiang to programs accused of forced labor, raising concerns about the ethical implications of the solar industry's dependence on labor from this region.

Modern slavery involves the exploitation of individuals through coercion, deception, or abuse of power, with the aim of extracting labor or services from them without their consent. In the context of the solar industry, this can include workers being subjected to harsh working conditions, low wages, restricted freedom of movement, and other human rights violations.

Major solar companies have been implicated in the use of forced labor in their supply chains, including brands such as GCL-Poly, Jinko Solar, Trina Solar, Longi and Canadian Solar. These companies play a significant role in the global supply of solar panels, supplying over a third of the world's polysilicon, which is refined from rock to produce solar panels.

The allegations of forced labor in the supply chains of these solar companies have led to consequences such as government actions to block shipments of solar energy components from Xinjiang. However, despite these concerns, the solar industry continues to grow, and the popularity of these key brands remains strong among consumers prioritizing price and efficiency over ethical considerations.

Dependence on Xinjiang and Polysilicon Supply Chain

The solar industry's heavy reliance on Xinjiang, China for the supply of polysilicon, a crucial component in solar panels, poses a significant challenge. Reports indicate that Xinjiang's forced labour practices, particularly among the Uyghur population, are deeply connected to the production of solar energy. This raises concerns about the ethical implications of the solar industry's dependence on labour from this region. Efforts are being made to address these concerns and promote sustainable practices within the solar industry. The Australian government and industry players are calling for local renewable energy production and manufacturing to reduce reliance on potentially unethical supply chains.

Key Brands Implicated in Forced Labour Practices

Several major solar companies, including Chinese and international players, have been linked to forced labour in their solar supply chains. These companies, such as GCL-Poly, East Hope Group, Daqo New Energy, Xinte Energy, Jinko Solar, JA Solar, LONGi Solar, Trina Solar, BYD, Hanwha Q Cells, and Canadian Solar, are responsible for a large portion of the world's polysilicon supply. The allegations of forced labour have prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability within the solar industry in Australia.

The Impact on the Solar Industry and Consumer Concerns

The allegations of forced labour practices in the solar panel industry have significant consequences. Governments, including Australia, are taking steps to address the issue. The Australian government, for instance, has called for more local renewable energy production and manufacturing to counter concerns about slave labour. Despite these concerns, some key brands implicated in forced labour practices in the solar panel market continue to grow, as unfortunately consumers prioritize price and efficiency over ethical considerations. However, there is a growing demand from Australian consumers for transparency and accountability from the companies they support. Whilst the growing demand exists, I still find that when a lot of consumers are presented with the higher price of ethically manufactured products, they back flip on their well wishes for humanity and focus on more affordable equipment that is downstream of forced labour.

Efforts to Address Forced Labour and Promote Renewable Energy

Certain solar panel brands have taken steps to address forced labour within their supply chains. For example, REC Solar has condemned forced labour and implemented fair labour practices.

They have also signed a call to action by industry associations to ensure a slave-free solar supply chain. The Australian government is working to address the issue of forced labour and promotes ethical sourcing through initiatives. Efforts are underway to ensure that solar panels imported into Australia are produced ethically and sustainably.

Towards a Just Transition and Clean Energy Future in Australia

The solar industry plays a vital role in the transition to clean and renewable energy sources in Australia. However, addressing the issue of forced labour is crucial for promoting a just and ethical transition. Efforts are needed to ensure transparency and responsible sourcing throughout the solar panel supply chain. This includes implementing tracing and auditing programs, as well as collaborating with suppliers and trade groups to verify the absence of labour abuses. The solar energy sector in Australia must prioritize clean energy transition while upholding the principles of freedom, human rights, and fair labour practices. By taking these steps, the solar industry can contribute to a sustainable future and promote a just transition towards clean energy in Australia.

As the demand for solar energy continues to rise, concerns about forced labour practices in the solar panel industry, particularly in China's Xinjiang region, have come to light. Several major solar companies have been linked to factories in Xinjiang accused of using forced labour, specifically targeting workers from the Uyghur minority.

Despite political support for actions against China and efforts to curb imports of products with forced labour in their supply chains, the solar industry faces challenges due to its dependence on Xinjiang and a lack of supply chain transparency. This raises important ethical questions about the solar industry's involvement with companies that utilize forced labour.

One of the main challenges in addressing this issue is the solar industry's dependence on Xinjiang for silicon, a crucial component in solar panels. Efforts are being made to promote ethical practices within the industry, including calls for government subsidies for green technology, exceptions to intellectual property disputes, and using trade agreements to raise global pollution standards.

Several major solar companies have been implicated in the use of forced labour in their supply chains, including GCL-Poly, Jinko Solar, Trina Solar, and Canadian Solar. These companies supply more than a third of the world's polysilicon, which is refined from rock and used in solar panels globally.

Despite these allegations and efforts to block shipments from Xinjiang, the solar industry continues to grow, and the popularity of these key brands remains strong. However, there is a growing demand from consumers for transparency and accountability from the companies they support.Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the ethical implications of supporting solar companies linked to forced labour practices. While some consumers prioritize price and efficiency, a growing number are demanding transparency and accountability from the brands they choose.

One brand that is working to rectify its stance in the renewables industry is REC Solar . The company has stated that it strongly condemns the use of forced labour and does not engage in it in its hiring practices. They have also signed a call to action by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to ensure the solar supply chain is free of forced labour.

The United Kingdom has taken a strong stance against forced labour in the solar industry. The UK's Modern Slavery Act requires companies with over £36 million turnover to report their efforts to prevent modern slavery in their supply chains, including companies producing solar panels linked to forced labour in countries like China with continual studies with the University of Nottingham and the Institute for the study of slavery. The UK government has pledged to work with international partners to address this issue and support the International Labour Organization's efforts to eliminate forced labour. They are also promoting ethical sourcing through the Ethical Trading Initiative.

Unfortunately here in Australia these unethical companies that spruik their compliance only have to provide a modern slavery statement without providing transparency of their upstream sources. When I questioned a represented Longi last year at All Energy Conference in Melbourne I was met with a lot of resistence and eventually aggression over their sources of silica. I was told that they don't have to provide those details as it's illegal to disclose that information in their country. Perhaps a political party has influence over their company or they know that they use silica from the open market that comes from forced labour so they hide behind these excuses to hide the truth.



As residential customers looking to purchase a solar system, it's important to consider the ethical implications of the brands you support. Look for companies that prioritize fair labour practices, transparency, and accountability. By choosing brands that uphold these principles, you can contribute to a sustainable future and promote a just transition towards clean energy in Australia. Next time that you are speaking to a solar provider, make sure that you insist on using manufactures that are not tied to forced labour.