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 | Jun 12, 2020
Carbon emission legislation prompts commercial real estate to innovate
Mass timber, augmented reality, and modular construction among the trends.
Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2020
USGBC offers new pilot credit to address green cleaning and COVID-19
Provides guidance on cleaning and disinfecting buildings using green cleaning best practices.
Codes and Standards | Jun 10, 2020
AIA issues tools for reducing risk of COVID-19 transmission in buildings
Tailored strategies offered for offices, retailers, schools, and senior living facilities.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2020
OSHA construction safety inspections fall 84% during COVID-19 pandemic
Agency focuses on preventing disease transmission in healthcare industry.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 8, 2020
Frank Lloyd Wright sites set to reopen and construction jobs rise by 464,000.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2020
Reopened offices raise liability risk for businesses and owners
Risks may not be covered by property insurance.
Codes and Standards | Jun 4, 2020
American Wood Council updates report on fire resistance of wood members and assemblies
Provides new examples and background on mass timber calculations.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2020
Virginia makes GCs liable for subs employee wages
New law allows workers to sue GCs for wages in class action.
Codes and Standards | Jun 2, 2020
Designers, owners reinventing restaurants to cope with COVID-19
Options include rearranged seating, mobile ordering, designated flow spaces.
Codes and Standards | Jun 1, 2020
How owners should comply with OSHA roofing safety guidelines
Buildings should have fall protection and restraint provisions for those who go on roofs.