Hanwha Solutions' Qcells will bring up its planned 1.4 GW TOPCon solar module manufacturing fab in Dalton, Georgia in the US, near its existing 1.7 GW operational module fab and has offered to offtake all of polysilicon REC Silicon plans to roll out of its Moses Lake facility when it restarts.
Qcells plans to break ground on site in Georgia in Fall 2022 and commence operations within H1/2023. It had recently announced plans to add to its manufacturing capacity in the US taking it to a cumulative of over 3 GW (see Qcells To Expand Solar Production Capacity).
"Our additional investment in Dalton will help Qcells better serve the needs of U.S. customers with increased local manufacturing capacity," said Qcells CEO Justin Lee. The company remarked that this is a step in its efforts to rebuild the US solar supply chain.
Norway's REC Silicon ASA has also announced plans to restart its polysilicon fab at Moses Lake in Washington reaching 1st production in Q4/2023. It plans to reach full capacity during 2024. Notably, Hanwha Corporation holds around 12% and Hanwha Solutions close to 21.33% stake in REC Silicon. This locally produced polysilicon will offer a reprieve to the module producer from US government's strict directives on Xinjiang produced polysilicon. (see US Forced labor Prevention Act).
"We are currently discussing supplying Hanwha Solutions with polysilicon and Hanwha Corporation with silane gas. These arrangements would allow REC Silicon the opportunity to focus on manufacturing excellence and to enhance market solutions through product development," said CEO of REC Silicon, James A. May II.
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