The largest crystalline silicon module manufacturer in the United States is going to get even bigger. Hanwha Solutions, the company behind Qcells, announced it will invest $170 million in a new U.S. solar module assembly plant that will have a manufacturing capacity of 1.4 GW. Qcells already operates a 1.7-GW module plant in Georgia.
Qcells existing 1.7-GW module factory in Dalton, Georgia
The new factory, which the company has yet to disclose its location, should come online as early as the first half of 2023. This will bring Qcells’ total U.S. module capacity to 3.1 GW.
Hanwha will also increase its cell production capacity in South Korea by investing $150 million to expand its existing factory. When the expansion plan is complete, overall cell capacity in South Korea will total 5.4 GW. To further improve and decarbonize its solar panel production process, Hanwha will secure low-carbon polysilicon from manufacturers around the world. The company has relationships with Korean polysilicon manufacturer OCI and Norway-headquartered and Washington-based REC Silicon.
“Growing uncertainties tell us that securing reliable, sustainable energy has become more important than ever before,” said Justin Lee, CEO of Hanwha Qcells. “To do this, Qcells will increase renewable supply from diversified sources and find cleaner ways to produce energy. That way, we will contribute to both energy security and net-zero emissions.”
Qcells
After these two expansions of module and cell manufacturing capacity, Hanwha plans to further invest in the U.S. solar supply chain, including wafers and cells.
“Ensuring policy certainty is crucial to realizing our goal of rebuilding the U.S. solar value chain,” said Lee. “With our relentless efforts to provide reliable, sustainable energy, we will do our utmost to solidify Qcells as the dependable choice for the U.S. solar market.”
They really should have their own products covering their roof – probably wouldn’t supply all their needs, but they do look naked without them, and they seem lost as to the “why” of solar power….
” Hanwha will secure low-carbon polysilicon from manufacturers around the world. The company has relationships with Korean polysilicon manufacturer OCI and Norway-headquartered and Washington-based REC Silicon.”
This is where geopolitical “hair splitting” comes into play. Hanwha owns a “controlling interest” in REC and Hanwha Corporation is reported as a South Korean company, who is or who will be the controlling interest investors in the company in the future? I believe that since TESLA has parted company with Panasonic in the manufacturing plant in Buffalo New York, Hanwha has taken over manufacturing and supply of the solar PV (panels) TESLA uses in their standard roof installations. I believe it will be shown the “Corporation” that has controlling interest in a company actually manufacturing in the U.S. IE) REC, the country of origin may well have geopolitical sway in America’s supply chain beyond the location of the actual plant.