Solar Panel Supply Chains and Forced Labour: What UK Buyers Can Check
Updated 15 October 2026 · SEO-DONS LTD
Many buyers searching for British solar panels are really asking a supply-chain question: where do my panels come from, and could they be linked to forced labour? Here is what the government sources say, and what you can realistically check. For which panels are made in the UK, see British-made solar panels.
What the government says
The GOV.UK Solar Roadmap, published on 30 June 2025, estimates that Xinjiang produces between a third and one half of the world’s solar-grade polysilicon. It states that there should be no procurement of solar panels where there is evidence of forced labour, and notes that the Procurement Act 2023, in force since February 2025, strengthens the government’s approach to modern slavery in public procurement.
In April 2025 the government said the Great British Energy Bill would enable the company to ensure forced labour does not take place in its business or supply chains, and that Great British Energy can already bar suppliers that use illegal and immoral practices from bidding for its contracts (GOV.UK, 23 April 2025).
What the industry is doing
The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) is an industry scheme that certifies manufacturing sites against standards for governance and supply-chain traceability. Solar Energy UK, which developed it with SolarPower Europe, describes it as already having a real impact on the global supply chain. That is the industry’s own assessment.
Why “British-made” doesn’t settle it
The UK manufacturers we confirmed work at the module and roof-product stage, and neither says its cells are made in the UK. A UK-assembled product can therefore still contain imported cells and polysilicon. Buying British shortens the chain; it doesn’t replace asking the questions below.
| Question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Where are the cells made? | The cell stage is where polysilicon enters the panel |
| Where does the polysilicon come from? | The stage the government’s concern centres on |
| Are the manufacturer’s sites SSI-certified? | An independent standard rather than a marketing claim |
| Can the manufacturer provide traceability documents? | Evidence you can keep with your paperwork |
| Is the module on the MCS product list? | Needed for a certified installation (and export payments) |
What a homeowner can realistically do
- Ask each installer to name the panel model, then ask them (or the manufacturer) the questions above in writing.
- Prefer manufacturers that answer clearly and publish their supply-chain policy.
- Remember that performance is a separate question: compare datasheets with our best solar panels UK guide.
You can mention supply-chain preferences in your enquiry. Your enquiry comes to SEO-DONS LTD and we reply by email. We are not paid by any manufacturer.
Sources: GOV.UK Solar Roadmap (30 June 2025); GOV.UK news, 23 April 2025; Solar Stewardship Initiative. Read 15 October 2026.