Qcells has received a conditional commitment for a loan through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO). The company, which specializes in manufacturing solar cells and modules, will use the $1.45 billion loan to support its solar supply chain manufacturing facility in Cartersville, Georgia. According to the company, the new production plant will manufacture ingots, wafers, cells, and finished panels at a multi-gigawatt scale. The project, when completed, is expected to generate 1,950 new jobs for the surrounding area. Additionally, the new plant is projected to produce 3.3 GW of solar panels per year, which the DOE estimates will reduce emissions from power generation by more than 5 million tons of CO2e per year. 

What people are saying

In a recent quote, a representative from Qcells said, “Qcells’ highly anticipated, integrated supply chain facility in Cartersville, Georgia, has made significant progress. By the end of this year, Qcells will produce the full solar supply chain, from ingot to finished panel, all under one roof in Georgia. We have made such ambitious investments because we believe onshoring solar manufacturing is key to building a sustainable, secure and independent energy future in the U.S. The ongoing support for our investments, stemming from the Inflation Reduction Act and the efforts of local to federal officials, affirms the importance of this critical industry and the need for a whole of government approach to see domestic solar manufacturing succeed long term.”  

Manufacturers investing in Georgia

Absolics to receive $75 million from the CHIPS Act to support semiconductor manufacturing in Georgia 
The company, which is a subsidiary of SKC, manufactures glass substrate, an essential component to produce semiconductors.  

Brightmark invests $950 million to build plastics circularity center in Georgia 
The 2.5 million-square-foot facility will have the capacity to repurpose over 400,000 tons of plastic per year.

GF Casting Solutions invests $184 million to build a new manufacturing facility in Georgia 
The new plant will be used to manufacture cast aluminum parts, with a special focus on large structural components for the automotive industry.

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Investing in American manufacturing in 2024

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