Qcells receives $1.45bn loan guarantee for solar manufacturing facility in Georgia

In a significant move to bolster the U.S. renewable energy landscape, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) has finalised a $1.45 billion loan guarantee for Hanwha Qcells Georgia, Inc. This financing will support the development of a pioneering solar manufacturing facility in Cartersville, Georgia, aimed at enhancing domestic solar supply and creating thousands of jobs in the region.

Transforming the American Solar Industry

This solar manufacturing facility represents a groundbreaking achievement for Qcells, as it will be the first fully integrated facility in the United States in over a decade. The Cartersville plant will produce ingots, wafers, solar cells, and finished panels—essential components of the domestic solar supply chain. Such innovation is critical to reducing U.S. dependence on imports from China and Southeast Asia while supporting the clean energy transition with sustainable, homegrown solutions.

Qcells has committed nearly $2.8 billion toward creating a complete solar manufacturing ecosystem in Georgia. This solar manufacturing facility will work in tandem with its Dalton facility, already expanded to produce 5.1 GW of solar panels annually. Once operational, the Cartersville plant will generate 3.3 GW of panels per year, equivalent to powering 500,000 homes, and bring Qcells’ combined solar panel production capacity in Georgia to a remarkable 8.4 GW annually.

Economic Growth and Job Creation in Georgia

The project is expected to generate approximately 1,200 construction jobs and create 1,650 full-time operational positions. Furthermore, it is forecasted to indirectly generate nearly 6,800 jobs in Bartow and Whitfield counties, significantly boosting the local economy. Qcells has already awarded nearly 50% of the construction work to local contractors, and partnerships with institutions like Kennesaw State University aim to ensure job creation in Georgia benefits local talent.

Through strategic hiring and training initiatives, this solar manufacturing facility will provide opportunities for residents in disadvantaged communities. Qcells’ commitment to job creation in Georgia aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader objectives of fostering equitable economic growth and advancing clean energy solutions.

Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition

The Cartersville solar manufacturing facility underscores the importance of domestic solar supply in achieving energy independence and reducing reliance on foreign imports. With the U.S. clean energy transition gaining momentum, facilities like Qcells’ plant are pivotal in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and boosting the American solar industry.

This facility is projected to cut carbon emissions by more than 5 million tons of CO2 equivalent annually, highlighting its environmental significance. Additionally, the project supports the goals of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which incentivises renewable energy investments through tax credits, such as the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit.

Strengthening U.S. Solar Manufacturing

By reshoring critical elements of the solar supply chain, the Cartersville plant positions the U.S. as a leader in the global renewable energy market. This solar manufacturing facility will produce larger-format wafers that lower costs and improve product performance, a testament to the technological advancements driven by Qcells’ commitment to innovation.

The facility also enables solar developers to qualify for IRA’s domestic content bonuses, incentivising the use of American-made solar components. Since the IRA’s passage, more than $17 billion in renewable energy investments have been announced, reflecting the growing momentum in the clean energy sector.

Collaborations and Future Prospects

Qcells has secured an eight-year, 12 GW engineering, procurement, and construction agreement with Microsoft, which will rely on solar panels produced at the Cartersville plant. This partnership highlights the demand for domestically manufactured solar products and the potential for future collaborations in the American solar industry.

Qcells’ track record of success in Dalton, Georgia, where its previous solar manufacturing facility was established in 2019, underscores the company’s capacity to execute ambitious projects. The lessons learned from Dalton will support the efficiency and scalability of the new facility.

A Commitment to Community and Inclusion

The Department of Energy’s loan guarantee requires the implementation of a Community Benefits Plan, ensuring meaningful engagement with local communities and labour stakeholders. This plan focuses on creating quality jobs, fostering inclusion, and improving access to employment opportunities in disadvantaged areas near Cartersville.

By offering apprenticeships, job training, and collaborations with educational institutions, Qcells ensures that the benefits of this solar manufacturing facility extend beyond economic impact to improve the well-being of the community.

Reshaping the American Solar Industry

The $1.45 billion investment in Qcells’ Cartersville facility marks a transformative moment for the U.S. solar manufacturing sector. This project exemplifies how renewable energy investments can drive job creation in Georgia, strengthen domestic solar supply chains, and accelerate the clean energy transition.

As the U.S. pursues ambitious clean energy goals, Qcells’ solar manufacturing facility stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability, paving the way for a resilient and self-sufficient American solar industry.