Britain should abandon imported solar panels and focus on domestic production, according to industry specialists.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the UK's energy strategy, solar energy has emerged as one of the fastest-growing components [1]. However, a significant concern has arisen regarding the country's reliance on imported solar panels, particularly those containing polysilicon sourced from China, especially Xinjiang, where documented cases of forced labour among Uyghur minorities have been reported [5].
This dependence on foreign suppliers not only presents strategic risks for energy security due to potential supply disruptions [3], but also raises serious ethical issues, making the UK complicit in human rights abuses abroad as it grows its solar capacity [1].
To address these concerns, UK authorities and industry bodies are advocating for stronger legislation. Proposed measures include import bans on goods linked to forced labour, mandatory due diligence for solar supply chains, and robust regulatory frameworks similar to those in the US and EU [3]. Great British Energy introduced new rules in early 2025 to exclude suppliers linked to forced labour, although the domestic manufacturing capacity is still insufficient to meet demand [1].
There is a growing call for boosting domestic solar panel production to reduce reliance on imports and create a more ethical and secure supply chain [1][3]. The UK government's broader trade strategy envisions supporting the clean energy sector's growth, including increased domestic production and exports, to reinforce the country's position as a "Clean Energy Superpower" by 2030 [2].
One company at the forefront of this transition is Oxford PV, a University of Oxford spin-out. They have developed tandem perovskite-on-silicon solar cells that outperform conventional panels in both efficiency and scalability [7]. In 2024, Oxford PV announced a world-record 26.9% efficiency in a commercially sized solar module, significantly higher than standard rooftop panels (18-22%) [8].
The potential for UK-based solar panel production extends beyond ethical procurement and energy security. Community energy groups have long argued that solar projects should be rooted in local ownership and supported through government solar panel grants, yet these schemes often rely on overseas panels [4].
As public awareness and political pressure continue to rise, Oxford PV, which manufactures at scale in Germany, has expressed openness to UK-based expansion if domestic demand grows [6]. A new generation of British-made perovskite panels is ready for deployment, offering a promising solution to the UK's solar energy dilemma.
References: 1. BBC News 2. GOV.UK 3. The Guardian 4. Community Energy England 5. Amnesty International 6. Oxford PV 7. Nature Energy 8. Oxford PV
- To combat ethical concerns and strategic risks associated with imported solar panels, UK authorities and industry bodies are advocating for stronger legislation, such as import bans on goods linked to forced labour, mandatory due diligence for solar supply chains, and robust regulatory frameworks.
- In an effort to reduce reliance on imports and create a more ethical and secure supply chain, there is a growing call for boosting domestic solar panel production in the UK, as part of the government's broader trade strategy to become a "Clean Energy Superpower" by 2030.
- One company that could help meet this demand is Oxford PV, a University of Oxford spin-out, which has developed tandem perovskite-on-silicon solar cells that outperform conventional panels in both efficiency and scalability.
- With public awareness and political pressure rising, Oxford PV, which manufactures at scale in Germany, has expressed openness to UK-based expansion if domestic demand for their British-made perovskite panels grows.
