Solar PV manufacturer SunPower confirms no exposure to forced labour

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20th Feb 2024

Following inquiries by Sheffield Hallam University, SunPower’s increased transparency further reinforces their sustainability credentials.

At The Little Green Energy Company, we aim to provide reliable and efficient ways to reduce our impact on the planet, and this philosophy extends beyond the installation process. How products are sourced and created play a key role in the products we choose to recommend. We are committed to working with ethical manufacturers who strive for the transparency in their supply chain our customers deserve. One such company is SunPower, one of the leading manufacturers of solar PV, which has further increased transparency in response to Sheffield Hallam University. 

In the wake of increasing scrutiny on the ethics of solar panel manufacturing, Sheffield Hallam University has released a new model of assessment, ‘Over-Exposed’. This assessment aims to identify links between manufacturers and supplies of polysilicon, wafers, and MGS used in solar PV from forced labour in the Uyghur region. 

SunPower tackled this assessment head-on by disclosing its supply chain to Sheffield Hallam. This confirmed that SunPower’s suppliers were not connected to the Uyghur region, with its supply of MGS coming from places such as France, Canada, and Brazil. In its Modern Slavery Statement 2022, SunPower also revealed it requires all suppliers to provide “enhanced certifications” to confirm they are not connected to forced labour. 

The Little Green Energy Company is proud to work with manufacturers that align with our philosophy, and hope this is a sign of things to come in the future of renewable energy solutions.