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Leading clean energy solutions provider, Qcells, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its groundbreaking announcement to establish the nation’s only complete and sustainable solar supply chain. This historic venture represents the largest investment in U.S. solar history, with Qcells committing over $2.5 billion towards building a fully integrated silicon-based solar supply chain in the United States. In line with their commitment, Qcells has successfully expanded solar panel assembly output and made significant progress in building a comprehensive supply chain, extending from raw material to finished module. The investment included the expansion of the existing facility in Dalton, Georgia, which concluded last year. As part of the initiative, Qcells has added 2 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity to its Dalton facility, bringing the total output to over 5.1 GW and creating 510 additional jobs in the solar factory. The Cartersville, Georgia, solar supply chain factory is on track for completion by the end of the year, with module production set to commence in April and the production of ingots, wafers, and cells scheduled by year-end. Upon full operation, the fully automated Cartersville factory will elevate Qcells’ annual module production capacity to 8.4 GW, equivalent to nearly 46,000 panels per day, capable of powering approximately 1.3 million homes annually. Qcells’ investment and expansion have contributed significantly to Georgia’s high-tech industry, reinforcing the state’s position as a manufacturing hub and a leader in solar innovation. The total employment at both facilities is expected to reach 4,000 jobs, further solidifying Georgia’s prominence in solar technology. Danny O’Brien, President of Corporate Affairs at Qcells, expressed satisfaction with the progress made over the past year and acknowledged the pivotal role of support from the state of Georgia and the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. He emphasized Qcells’ commitment to advancing solar manufacturing’s role in the country’s energy transition. Governor Brian Kemp praised the transformative Qcells investment, highlighting the thousands of jobs created in Whitfield and Bartow Counties. He underscored Georgia’s reputation as the No. 1 state for business and expressed anticipation for the continued success of the partnership. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and U.S. Senator Reverend Warnock celebrated the historic anniversary, emphasizing the positive impact on Georgia’s clean energy economy and the state’s growing role as the advanced energy capital of the nation. We join our fellow Georgians in celebrating the one-year anniversary of Qcells’ Cartersville plant, and look forward to it being a premier destination for jobs in our state,” said U.S. Congressman Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) Additional investments from Qcells’ parent company, Hanwha Solutions, include REC Silicon in Moses Lake, Washington, producing polysilicon, a key raw material for solar modules. Hanwha Advanced Materials Georgia will supply the Cartersville factory with encapsulant film ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), ensuring Qcells receives a steady supply of this critical material for solar panel durability. The collaborative efforts between Qcells and its partners signify a significant step towards establishing a U.S.-made solar supply chain, reducing reliance on overseas-made products and contributing to the nation’s clean energy goals. |
