CARTERSVILLE, GA. — Hanwha Solutions, through its clean energy subsidiary Qcells, has announced plans to invest more than $2.5 billion to develop a complete solar energy supply chain across the northern part of the state of Georgia. According to the company, this will represent the largest investment ever in solar panel production in the U.S. and make Qcells the only company in the country with a complete and sustainable solar supply chain.
Qcells plans to break ground on a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Cartersville, roughly 43 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, by the end of March. The plant will manufacture solar ingots, wafers and cells — the elements that make up solar panels — as well as finished panels. That facility is scheduled for completion in late 2024.
The company also plans to expand solar panel production at its existing facility in Dalton, approximately 45 miles north of Cartersville, which opened in 2019. The company will hire an additional 535 employees at that facility.
“As demand for clean energy continues to grow nationally, we’re ready to put thousands of people to work creating fully American-made and sustainable solar solutions, from raw material to finished panels,” says Justin Lee, CEO of Qcells.
Clean energy is defined as energy that comes from renewable, zero emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere when used, as well as energy saved by energy-efficiency measures.
Qcells says the $2.5 billion investment will create an additional 2,500 jobs in Georgia, bringing Qcells’ total employment in the state to 4,000.
“This announcement comes after months of close collaboration with Qcells, Senate leadership and the presidential administration to make the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act a reality,” says Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock.
Qcells is one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, with headquarters in Seoul, South Korea; and Thalheim, Germany. This venture represents the company’s largest clean energy investment to date.
—Katie Sloan