Solar energy could generate 40 percent of US electricity consumption, help enable grid decarbonization and provide employment to approximately 1.5 million individuals by 2035, all without increasing the cost of electricity as per the most recent Solar Futures Study by the US Department of Energy.
They are ambitious goals to be achieved at a rapid rate, but they're welcomed and well-thought-out objectives. The response of the solar energy industry to the utilization of carbon-intensive energy and forced labor throughout its supply chains, however, could impact its future viability for a sustainable energy option.
Supply in just-in-time, agile manufacturing and automated processes have led to dramatic decreases in the price of solar energy, which makes it one of the least expensive sources of electricity worldwide. Best solar panels are more affordable to construct and to install in many locations than alternative sources of electricity, such as natural gas or coal and result in lower greenhouse gases as well as air pollutants.
Solar power is dealing with supply chain problems that might dramatically affect its future, but. It is believed that the Uyghur ethnic minority , along with other minority groups, such as Kazakhs and Kyrgyz and Kyrgyz are being transferred to camps for reeducation located in the northwest of China's Xinjiang region, where they are required to perform. The work includes the manufacture of polysilicon, which is the primary ingredient in the production of solar panels. Because 45% of the world's polysilicon production is produced in this region of China and more than 50% of solar panels sold worldwide are made of polysilicon by companies located in Xinjiang.
Additionally, solar panels made in Xinjiang depend on coal-based power. This has attracted companies that manufacture polysilicon to this part in China initially since electricity is an essential component for the manufacturing process. The dependence on polysilicon produced by coal-fired power in the supply chain negates many of the environmental and climate advantages of solar energy.
In the US in the United States, the Biden administration's Customs and Border Protection put restrictions on imports coming from the first company that is suspected of using forced labor in June 2021. Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd. Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd. US has already put restrictions on other products that originate from the region like cotton textiles. And these actions are only the beginning of the problem.
In the US in the United States, the Biden administration's Customs and Border Protection put restrictions on imports coming from the first company that is suspected of using forced labor in June 2021. Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd. Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd. US has already put restrictions on other products that originate from the region like cotton textiles. And these actions are only the beginning of the problem.
It was reported that the US Labor Department added polysilicon from China to its list of substances believed to be produced using forced or child labor at the end of July in 2021. By the end of August the department had reported that photovoltaic panels made by a variety of big solar panel manufacturers and best solar companies were being taken by border security and customs officials before they could be allowed to enter the US market.
The issue is further complicated due to the fact that polysilicon from a variety of manufacturers is frequently mixed. This means that a larger proportion of solar panel inputs may be connected to forced labour.
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This goes beyond simply making a commitment to implement traceability protocols, such as those proposed by the Solar Energy Industry Association. It is imperative to take immediate steps to address supply chains that have known or suspected forced labor. If there is no transparency further in the supply chain or if companies aren't able to hold the suppliers accountable, it may be time to shift or leave the supply chain entirely.
The world requires a strong manufacturing industry to achieve renewable energy targets and the best time to begin creating it is now. A confined industry in terms of firm size or geographic location is a less robust one, as was demonstrated by the disruptions to supply chains that were caused by COVID-19 in the this year. By diversifying the practices of its members it can prevent the possibility of disruptions like these and ensure it's not completely dependent on sources that could be problematic and allowing it to be more flexible to in the future change direction as required.
The competition among solar industry producers has led to dramatic price reductions during the past few years. Because of the Xinjiang region's dependence on coal-fired power and the allegations of forced labor but these savings have also come with unnecessary environmental and social cost. New developments in solar technologies and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods would increase the benefits solar energy can bring. Particularly, R&D efforts should be directed towards the creation of polysilicon that produces low carbon energy. This would lower the air and climate pollution effects from solar power.
It is essential to address these issues for ensuring the sustainable use of solar energy that will be essential to climate action. Policymakers and industry advocates must swiftly take action to eradicate the use of forced labour from solar supply chains by increasing the visibility of supply chains and diversifying the sourcing practices as well as assisting research and development in the production of polysilicon with low carbon emissions. Anything less is unacceptable.