The Biden administration is reportedly considering banning imports of a critical solar panel material—polysilicon—from China’s Xinjiang region.
About half the world’s polysilicon supply comes from Xinjiang, where the Chinese government has been accused of rounding up hundreds of thousands of ethnic Uyghur Muslims as part of what the State Department has called a “genocide.” The administration is also reportedly considering a narrower ban focused on polysilicon made with forced labor from specific manufacturers.
The potential moves would crack down on human rights abuses, but could drive up PV prices and hurt the administration’s ambitious climate change goals. The import restriction would be similar to ones the Trump administration placed on cotton, tomatoes, and other products exported from Xinjiang.
Biden’s action, along with a bill sponsored by Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff for an advanced solar manufacturing production credit for domestic solar manufacturers, could spur the development of additional domestic manufacturing capacity.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 29, 2020
Crackdowns grow on construction firms that fail to follow COVID-19 guidelines
States, cities, and OSHA enforce social distancing, hand-washing regulations.
Codes and Standards | Jul 28, 2020
California utility adopts climate emergency declaration
Sacramento-region company commits to working towards carbon neutrality by 2030.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2020
Updated Energy Plus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools released
Software offers performance enhancements.
Codes and Standards | Jul 23, 2020
North Carolina will stop relying on FEMA flood mapping
State will identify flood zones on its own.
Codes and Standards | Jul 22, 2020
New version of IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator is available
Enhanced features include selection between single- and multifamily buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 22, 2020
Mobile app calculates sound transmission for wood-framed assemblies
American Wood Council tool for floor-ceiling assemblies.
Codes and Standards | Jul 22, 2020
Architecture billings remain in negative territory, begin to stabilize
Fewer architecture firms report declining billings this month.
Codes and Standards | Jul 20, 2020
N.Y. construction firm to pay $1.5 million to settle sexual harassment claim
Managers said to demand sex for pay and OT opportunities.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2020
Tips to make optimal use of salvaged materials
Integrated teams, staging warehouse, and looking early and often, among recommendations.
Codes and Standards | Jul 15, 2020
Georgia gives the go-ahead for tall mass timber construction
Standards review scheduled to be completed by July 2021.
