Chinese-manufactured Solar Panels
2026-06-02
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concerns about the potential implications of using Chinese-manufactured solar panels for Great British Energy policies due to risks associated with forced labour in supply chains.
What assessment has been made of the potential implications for his policies of the use of Chinese-manufactured solar panels by Great British Energy?
Provisions under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 drive industry action via due diligence and transparency to tackle forced labour in supply chains for solar panels. All procurement conducted under Government and GBE contracts is required to meet those standards.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific risks or implications of using Chinese-manufactured solar panels were not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Xinjiang Uyghur region of China provides a significant portion of the world's solar-grade polysilicon, with an estimated 68% of UK panels coming from China. GB Energy has committed to having a supply chain free from slave labour by spring 2025 but investigations reveal that five out of seven contracts for schools cannot guarantee freedom from forced labour.
What will the Government do to reduce slave labour in supply chains and wean the UK off Chinese-made infrastructure?
GBE will be a leader in how we tackle modern slavery, and it has set up a function to look at sustainable supply chains and to ensure that they are free from modern slavery. The Government wants to go further in tackling forced labour where found in global supply chains.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific actions or timelines for reducing reliance on Chinese-made infrastructure were not provided.
Response accuracy