It has been reported that JinkoSolar subsidiary, Zhejiang Jinko, discharged hazardous waste into a river, prompting local residents to protest at its facility from 15 September to 17 September this year.

As part of the investigation, the local environmental protection authority ordered the subsidiary to address the environmental concerns that have surfaced at the facility.

In response to the concerns of local residents and in full cooperation with the local environmental protection authority’s investigation, the subsidiary has suspended production operations at its facility until the impact of any potential environmental damage has been assessed and remedied.

Initially, the authority investigation found the pollution may have been caused by the improper storage of waste containing fluoride.

The company expects to resume operations within the next few days.

The facility in Haining has the capacity to produce 1,100MW of solar cells per year as of 30 June 2011.