Are Chinese solar panels unfair competition?

Longi Green Energy Technology Co. solar panels on the roof of an office building in Xi'an, China, pictured in March 2023. The European Union has launched investigations into two groups of companies that include Chinese solar panel makers in the latest salvo against what it suspects is unfair competition from China’s vast manufacturing sector.

Are Chinese detainees forced to produce solar panels?

In state-sponsored programmes, detainees are forced to produce goods including polysilicon, a core ingredient in solar panels, according to the US Department of Labor. The Chinese government has always staunchly denied all allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

Are Chinese solar panels avoiding US tariffs?

A robotic arm works on the production line of solar panels at a factory of Trina Solar Energy Co., in China in January. After a months-long investigation, US officials have preliminarily determined that four Chinese solar panel companies have been avoiding US tariff laws by routing their operations through other Southeast Asian countries.

Why is the British Army investing £200m in solar panels?

The British Army is using solar panels made by companies claimed to have a "very high" exposure to forced labour in China, the BBC can reveal. The production of solar panels in the Xinjiang region has been linked to the alleged exploitation of Uyghur Muslims. The British Army is investing £200m in solar panels across four of its sites.

Does the British Army use Chinese-made solar panels?

The British Army's use of Chinese-made solar panels comes as no surprise to Yalkun Uluyol. An academic native of Xinjiang, Mr Uluyol has been researching the links between Chinese manufacturers and alleged forced labour in his home region. Mr Uluyol said his research found forced labour "happens almost everywhere in every sector".

Are Xinjiang solar panels exploitation of Uyghur Muslims?

The production of solar panels in the Xinjiang region has been linked to the alleged exploitation of Uyghur Muslims. The British Army is investing £200m in solar panels across four of its sites. The Ministry of Defence listed JA Solar, Trina and Qcells as the solar panel suppliers in response to a BBC Freedom of Information request.