Norwegian polysilicon producer REC Silicon has roped in British silicon metal and alloys producer Ferroglobe PLC to supply it silicon metal raw material for its Moses Lake production fab in the US as it targets to establish a low-carbon and fully traceable US based solar supply chain.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed, Ferroglobe will supply REC with metallurgical grade silicon metal it produces within its US fabs in West Virginia, Alabama and Ohio from locally sourced raw materials.
REC will use the same to turn into polysilicon at its Moses Lake fab in Washington that the company plans to restart in Q4/2023. This polysilicon will be available to produce fully assembled solar modules, possibly all of it by its new stakeholder Hanwha Group that's operating a 1.7 GW module fab in Georgia state, where it is also expanding capacity with an additional 1.4 GW module fab (see Qcells Picks Georgia For 1.4 GW US Module Fab).
Possibility of the passing of Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act (SEMA) proposed by Senator Jon Ossoff also acts as a 'spark' for the duo to expand US production of polysilicon and metallurgical grade silicon (see US Senator Wants Tax Credit For Local Manufacturers).
"The solar industry is vital to the future of the global energy transformation," said Ferroglobe's CEO Dr Marco Levi. "Furthermore, we are excited to collaborate with REC Silicon on this important initiative. We have had a longstanding relationship with REC, and this MOU aligns both companies' respective expertise and competencies towards a common goal which is critical to the United States."
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