Carsten Rohr
ESMC Co-Chair
For more information:
carsten.rohr@norsun.solar
Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany’s most iconic football clubs, is facing criticism for partnering with the Chinese company JA Solar to power its stadium and facilities with solar energy. In an open letter to BVB Managing Director Carsten Cramer, Carsten Rohr, Co-Chair of the European Solar Manufacturing Council, expressed his deep disappointment with the club’s decision.
Rohr, a Dortmund native and lifelong fan of the club, praised Borussia Dortmund’s commitment to sustainable energy but raised concerns about JA Solar’s links to forced labor practices in China. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has barred JA Solar´s subsidiary Dongha JA Solar from the U.S. market due to its connections to forced labor in the Xinjiang region. Details of the DHS decision can be found here.
According to Rohr, partnering with a company associated with human rights violations contradicts the core values of fairness, integrity, and respect for human dignity that Borussia Dortmund represents. He urged the club to reconsider its choice of partner and to support European solar manufacturers instead.
“Borussia Dortmund deserves better,” Rohr stated. “This is a pivotal moment to demonstrate leadership in sustainability and corporate responsibility.”
April 7, 2025: We have clarified that JA Solar’s subsidiary Donghai JA Solar is subject to the DHS decision.