Press release: Solar Ireland reaffirms responsible sourcing practices and the sector’s central role in delivering Ireland’s climate targets

Solar Ireland today expressed serious concern at recent RTÉ Investigates reporting on international solar supply chains, noting that several broad claims about panels “used widely across Ireland” do not reflect the diverse and global nature of solar sourcing and risk causing unnecessary alarm for households, businesses and public bodies. The association highlighted the due-diligence processes that underpin the Irish solar sector and reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to responsible sourcing, transparency and continuous improvement as Ireland rapidly expands its renewable energy capacity.

Since 2020, Ireland’s solar industry has grown within a global supply chain that is evolving quickly, with manufacturers increasing renewable electricity use and taking steps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels as global markets accelerate the transition to clean energy. While some regions still maintain significant coal use, the long-term global direction is clear: renewable energy is expanding rapidly, and Ireland has already closed its last coal-fired power stations.

The association emphasised that Ireland’s market is supported by lenders, corporate off-takers, public bodies and investors who require strong contractual safeguards. These include clauses prohibiting sourcing from companies associated with forced labour, along with ESG documentation, chain-of-custody information and supplier declarations.

Ronan Power, CEO of Solar Ireland, said:

“It is not accurate, and frankly irresponsible, to imply that solar panels used widely across Ireland all originate from companies linked to forced labour or from a single region. That sweeping generalisation ignores the reality of Ireland’s diverse solar market, where developers, installers, local authorities and public bodies source equipment from multiple global manufacturers with different audited production sites and documented ESG safeguards.”

He added that Ireland’s progress reflects global realities that governments and policymakers worldwide are actively addressing through stronger standards, greater transparency and expanding renewable capacity.

Ireland’s solar industry: a responsible and regulated sector

Solar Ireland highlighted that procurement requirements in Ireland have strengthened significantly since 2020, with lenders, CPPAs, utilities and state bodies requiring comprehensive due-diligence information before projects proceed.

To address recent claims that all panels used across Ireland share a single provenance, the association emphasised:

“Global solar supply chains are large and diverse, not monolithic, and Ireland’s sector operates responsibly and transparently within EU and international standards. Suggesting that all solar panels used in Ireland come from, or are exposed to, one single uniform pipeline risks misleading the public and undermining confidence in a sector that is committed to high standards and responsible practice.” – Ronan Power

The association also noted that Europe is continuing to strengthen responsible-sourcing frameworks through initiatives such as the Net Zero Industry Act, reflecting a shared commitment across the EU to enhance transparency, resilience and high standards across the solar value chain.

A sector leading on responsible sourcing

Solar Ireland has been engaged with the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) since its earliest development, helping shape one of the most advanced responsible-sourcing frameworks in global manufacturing. The SSI ESG Standard, the Supply Chain Traceability Standard and third-party audit process represent significant progress toward supply-chain transparency.

Under the SSI framework, all manufacturer members supplying the EEA and UK must transition to fully audited and certified sites by 2028. Irish developers, installers and EPCs already implement multi-step procurement processes that include traceability documentation, supplier declarations, ESG reviews and long-term record keeping.

“Our industry is unequivocally against forced labour and is following the right processes, aligned with SSI, EU policy and international standards. Can the same be said for sectors such as smartphones, laptops and tablets, all of which depend on the same upstream materials but lack comparable transparency, auditing or certification frameworks?” said Ronan.

Solar Ireland also referenced the relevance of the United Nations OHCHR assessment published on 31 August 2022.

“The 2022 UN report highlights why transparency, traceability and independent auditing are so important. It is therefore concerning to see RTE Investigates use it to imply that all solar modules worldwide are compromised, a claim that oversimplifies a complex issue and risks creating unnecessary alarm.”

The stakes for Ireland

Solar is now providing record levels of clean electricity to Irish homes, farms and businesses, reducing emissions, improving grid stability and lowering energy costs. Ireland remains one of the fastest-growing solar markets in Europe, and continued deployment is essential to closing the emissions gap and avoiding significant future EU penalties.

“Focusing narrowly on solar risks distorting public understanding and slowing Ireland’s transition at the very moment we need to accelerate. The stakes for Ireland’s climate action, energy independence and economic resilience are too high for anything less than balanced scrutiny and constructive dialogue,” stated Ronan.

He concluded:

“Ireland’s renewable transition is a national priority. A clean-energy future depends on ethical supply chains and responsible public debate that supports, rather than stalls, the progress the country urgently needs.”