Someone finally looked at a map. New exclusive @SPGlobal on polysilicon, Uighurs, and the solar industry's growing dependence China's autonomous Xinjiang region, which supplies about 1/3rd of global polysilicon for photovoltaics. https://platform.mi.spglobal.com/web/client?auth=inherit#news/article?id=60829945&cdid=A-60829945-9264

“Without pressure from customers and investors, the solar market's ties to Xinjiang have been overlooked or ignored by an industry that is laser-focused on cutting costs, said Dustin Mulvaney, *an assistant* [sic] professor @SJSU who teaches courses on energy and sustainability.”

"Within the context of labor, a red flag goes up for every single sector," said David Schilling, senior program director of human rights and resources at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility. "It's not just those [industries] that have been called out."

US provided companies with a list of "potential indicators of forced labor or labor abuses." They include "any mention of internment terminology" such as education training centers "coupled with poverty alleviation efforts, ethnic minority graduates, or involvement in reskilling.

Say what again? “In an annual report published earlier this year, GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd., another top polysilicon producer, said it initiated a "staff localization plan" in Xinjiang in 2019 in cooperation with vocational schools in the area.”

“Drawn to Xinjiang by cheap electricity from coal-fired power plants, Daqo started building polysilicon plants in Xinjiang in 2011 as a trade fight over solar equipment was heating up between Beijing and the Obama administration.
In recent annual reports to the U.S. SEC...

..Daqo said it "enjoys additional advantages in the costs of electricity" because the regional power grid is operated by a division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, or XPCC, which the U.S. government describes as a paramilitary organization.”

“one of Daqo's long-time customers, JinkoSolar, landed a blockbuster contract to sell solar panels to.. energy giant NextEra Energy Inc.
In early 2019, Alphabet Inc.'s said it agreed to buy electricity from solar farms built by NextEra subsidiary NextEra Energy Resources LLC.”

“Only a handful responded to requests for comment; none provided detailed information about their efforts to examine potential exposure to labor abuses in Xinjiang or to safeguard their supply chains in the region.”

Manufacturing polysilicon serious business. Explosions at GCL and Daqo fabs took down a big portion of global polysilicon production in summer 2020. The polysilicon industry is very concentrated; 5 big players. https://www.pv-magazine.com/2020/07/21/explosions-at-gcl-polysilicon-fab-have-reportedly-taken-down-10-of-global-production-capacity/

This summer’s explosions may be connected to labor dynamics...
why the explosions? From another source. 1. “it appears to be difficult to attract enough highly qualified staff to the remote area of Xinjiang in the far northwest of China.” https://www.bernreuter.com/newsroom/polysilicon-news/article/lessons-from-the-polysilicon-plant-accidents-at-daqo-and-gcl/

2. “maintenance of polysilicon production equipment is a delicate task, which requires great diligence and strict observance of safety rules... The Chinese polysilicon industry should learn its lesson from the accidents at Daqo and GCL: Safety first!” https://www.bernreuter.com/newsroom/polysilicon-news/article/lessons-from-the-polysilicon-plant-accidents-at-daqo-and-gcl/

This sustainability standard for photovoltaics we launched last week is not a panacea, but can help shine light on supply chains that few see. https://twitter.com/dustinmulvaney/status/1316789196284071936