According to recent data, approximately 35% of the world’s polysilicon, and 32% of global metallurgical grade polysilicon, the material from which polysilicon is made, is produced in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Investigations by UN bodies (most notably by the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery in its July 2022 report to the UN General Assembly ), academics and journalists have presented evidence on a number of human rights abuses including the use of forced labour in XUAR. Reports by the Sheffield Hallam University (2021 and 2023) have highlighted the high risk of exposure of the solar sector to products manufactured in the region using forced labour.

The Resource Centre has approached 24 companies in the 2023 Renewable Energy Benchmark asking them to outline their response to the risk of exposure to forced labour in XUAR. Analysis of key findings from the 21 answers received are available in the accompanying briefing.

Detailed answers provided by companies are available below.