l'Actualité du Solaire

The US union SEIA has launched a campaign against forced labour in Xinjiang (a region in western China populated by Uigurs). Forty-five per cent of China's silicon comes from this region,

35% comes from other Chinese regions, and 20% from outside China. Production outside Xinjiang is sufficient to supply the United States and Europe, which have absorbed 30% of the world's panels in 2020.

Global production of solar wafers is almost entirely in Chinese hands. Most of it is not located in Xinjiang (with the notable exception of one large vertically integrated manufacturer). Wafer manufacturers usually mix different origins of silicon. Now they will keep silicon produced outside Xinjiang for exported panels. This policy will be monitored by the major auditing firms.

The author's conclusion is that the creation of an alternative supply chain will not be part of this measure.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/03/03/creating-an-alternative-pv-supply-chain-in-the-us-is-no-cakewalk/

PV Magazine of 3 March 2021