Qcells Invests $2.5 Billion to Solar Module Manufacturing in Georgia
Qcells, one of the largest and most-recognized renewable energy solutions providers, will invest more than $2.5 billion to expand its solar module manufacturing operations in Georgia. Qcells will build a new facility in Cartersville and add a third facility to its Dalton location, creating more than 2,500 new jobs in northwest Georgia.
These investments are expected to bring Qcells' total solar panel production capacity in Georgia to 8.4 gigawatts by 2024.In 2019, Qcells opened the largest solar panel manufacturing facility in the Western Hemisphere in Dalton, Georgia. The 1.7-gigawatt solar panel manufacturing facility has continued to expand since then and now supports more than 700 jobs in Whitfield County. Qcells is expected to increase the number of employees in Georgia to more than 4,000 by the end of 2024.
The investments will occur at two sites with a greenfield expansion encompassing ingots, wafers, cells, and more modules. With 3.3 GW annual manufacturing capacity per value chain, this will be the largest fully integrated solar manufacturing site in the U.S. Qcells aims to begin commercial production there in late 2024. The site will be located in Cartersville, Georgia – about 55 miles outside of Atlanta. The build-out will come after the company’s expansion of annual solar panel production to 5.1 GW in Dalton, Georgia by 2023. It will come from building a third module manufacturing facility at that location producing an additional 2-GW of solar panels per year. Currently, Qcells is operating a 1.7 GW module factory there and began construction to increase the facility to 3.1 GW earlier in 2022.
"With this investment, we're proud to strengthen our U.S. manufacturing capabilities and create good-paying jobs," said Qcells CEO Justin Lee. "We are seeking to further expand our low-carbon solar investments as we lead the industry towards fully American-made clean energy solutions. Today’s news is further evidence of our growing partnership with Georgia, the workforce there, and an even brighter future together.
Due to the company's rapid growth, Qcells will also add a new facility adjacent to the company's existing plant at 300 Nexus Drive in Dalton. With its third Whitfield County facility, the company will create 510 new jobs and add another 2 gigawatts of production capability.
The solar industry has experienced an average annual growth rate of 33 percent for the last decade, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Supply chain challenges disrupted that growth in 2022, with a 23 percent decline in installations compared to 2021. Qcells plans to reduce future supply chain barriers in the solar industry by building a comprehensive value chain in the United States. Today's announcement positions Qcells as the only company in the U.S. to establish such a fully-integrated, silicon-based solar supply chain from raw material to finished panel.
In Georgia, net electricity generation from renewable sources has increased by more than 93 percent since 2009, and the state's electricity mix currently consists of 13.6 percent renewable energy. Over 4 percent of the state's electricity now comes from solar power. Georgia's energy solutions providers are helping to accelerate the development of renewable energy products by lowering risks, reducing costs, providing access to innovative industry research, and investing in a superior infrastructure network.
Here's What Local Lawmakers And The President Had To Say:
"Our community is happy to welcome Qcells, and we appreciate their investment and bringing quality jobs to Cartersville," said Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini. "The evolution of the solar energy industry continues to grow along with the worldwide desire for greener energy sources. It is an honor to have a leader in this field like Qcells to be manufacturing solar panels in Cartersville."
"I am honored to announce the growth of Qcells in Georgia for a second time in less than a year," said Governor Brian Kemp. "With a focus on innovation and technology, Georgia continues to set itself apart as the No. 1 state for business. Combined with our robust logistics infrastructure, top-ranked workforce training program, and collaborative approach, Georgia provides a business-friendly environment that means jobs for hardworking Georgians in every corner of the state and success for both existing and new companies. We're excited for Qcells' continued success in the Peach State."
"We are excited to work with QCells on their second plant expansion in our Carbondale Industrial Park," said Chairman Of The Board of Commissioners in Whitfield County Jensen. "By optimizing their recent land purchase, this additional investment will add 500 well-paying jobs and continue to diversify Whitfield County's economy."
“My goal remains to make Georgia the world leader in advanced energy production. That's why, working closely with Qcells, I wrote and passed major legislation to bring more solar manufacturing jobs to our state. Now we are announcing the largest clean energy manufacturing project in American history, with thousands of solar jobs and billions of dollars on the way to Georgia,” said Senator Jon Ossoff.
“I’m proud to have helped lead the fight to make Georgia a top state for good-paying, clean energy jobs,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “This announcement comes after months of close collaboration with Qcells, Senate leadership, and the Administration to make the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act a reality. I look forward to a continued partnership with Qcells to create Georgia jobs and grow our manufacturing economy.”
"It will ensure that we manufacture cutting-edge, solar technology here at home. It’s a win for workers, consumers, and our climate," according to a statement from President Biden.
Qcells is one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, recognized for its established reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance, high-quality solar cells and modules, portfolio of intelligent storage systems, and growing international pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects. Qcells also provides renewable electricity retail services and packages to end customers the world over. For more information, visit: www.qcells.com/us.
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