- Domestic Solar Production Boost: The facility will produce 3.3 GW of solar panels annually, powering 500,000 homes and reducing CO2 emissions by 5 million tons per year.
- Economic Growth: Creates 1,650 full-time jobs, 1,200 construction jobs, and indirectly supports nearly 6,800 additional jobs in Georgia.
- Supply Chain Resilience: Strengthens U.S. solar manufacturing, reducing reliance on foreign imports while leveraging incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Qcells’ Solar Manufacturing Expansion
The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) has announced a $1.45 billion loan guarantee to Hanwha Qcells Georgia for constructing a state-of-the-art solar manufacturing facility in Cartersville, Georgia. This will be the largest ingot and wafer production plant in the U.S. and the first fully integrated facility of its kind in over a decade.
“This project reestablishes critical parts of the domestic solar supply chain and strengthens U.S. leadership in clean energy,” said the LPO.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Once operational, the Cartersville facility will produce 3.3 GW of solar panels annually, equivalent to powering 500,000 American homes. This will cut 5 million tons of CO2 emissions per year, advancing the U.S. clean energy transition. The project will also generate:
- 1,200 construction jobs and 1,650 permanent jobs in Cartersville.
- Nearly 6,800 indirect jobs in the surrounding Bartow and Whitfield Counties, with a projected $2 billion sales output.
“This investment brings high-quality jobs and economic opportunities to communities that need them most,” emphasized the Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic Development.
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Strengthening Domestic Solar Supply Chains
The Cartersville plant will produce ingots, wafers, cells, and panels, reducing reliance on solar components from China and Southeast Asia. The facility will also leverage IRA tax credits, incentivizing U.S.-based manufacturing and increasing the competitiveness of domestic solar products.
Qcells has also signed an 8-year, 12 GW agreement with Microsoft, ensuring the Cartersville-made panels will supply large-scale projects.
“The IRA is transforming America’s clean energy economy by catalyzing historic levels of private sector investment,” said a DOE spokesperson.
Community Benefits and Workforce Development
Aligned with the Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program, Qcells’ project includes a Community Benefits Plan to engage local stakeholders and improve economic inclusion. Highlights include:
- Job training and apprenticeships for Cartersville residents.
- Partnerships with Kennesaw State University for hiring graduates.
- Contracts awarded to local construction firms in Georgia and Tennessee.
This project underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, creating jobs and bolstering clean energy production across the nation.
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