The story behind renewable energy products can often be clouded by ambiguity and ethical concerns, particularly in the case of goods sourced from Chinese manufacturers. The industrial boom in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) is fueled by quarrying, processing, and manufacturing for green technology, but reports indicate troubling practices, including state-imposed forced labor and heavy reliance on coal-based energy. 

Forced labor casts a shadow over the PV industry. This region, accounting for a substantial portion of the global polysilicon market, is a pivotal hub for green technology supply chains. Despite increasing awareness of Uyghur forced labor, transparency in solar industry sourcing is dwindling over time, leaving consumers with unanswered questions about the origins of their purchases.  

One of the primary challenges is the limited availability of products manufactured outside of China. While there are manufacturers operating outside of China, their production capacities are significantly smaller, leading to higher labour costs and less cost reduction through economies of scale. Additionally, even for products sourced outside of China, the origin of the silicon used in manufacturing may still be linked to XUAR. 

In numerous instances, ethically sourced solar products are utilized for large-scale projects like solar parks, where project developers must comply with supply chain transparency regulations. Consequently, ethically sourced solar panels can be challenging for consumers to locate.

For consumers committed to sustainability and ethics, navigating these complexities emphasizes the importance of supporting brands with transparent and ethical supply chains.

External References:

Over-Exposed | Sheffield Hallam University.(n.d.)

European Solar PV Industry Alliance. (2014). Stance against forced labour & A Due diligence guide for solar PV supply chains. 

At Honest Energy, we prioritize sustainability and ethical sourcing in our product selection process. We market the products of manufacturers who share these values to offer you a curated collection of solar energy products on our online shop.

Despite our efforts, we face challenges in sourcing a broad selection of the right products. Especially, if we want to source the products from smaller manufacturers we need  significant upfront capital to acquire relevant volumes at a reasonable price. Moreover, the delivery times are long. Hence, we need to get a better idea, which products are the most wanted by you, our client community. 

Before we have collected the required data and funding, to build stock levels, we currently rely on distributors and wholesalers to help us bridge this gap.

However, we are actively exploring the option of establishing direct relationships with manufacturers to expand our product range.

We're committed to helping you find the products you need for your projects. If you can't find what you're looking for in our webshop, don't hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to assist you every step of the way and can help source the right materials for your needs.