Qcells has enlisted Stantec to design a solar power manufacturing facility in Georgia, United States. As the largest solar investment in U.S. history, the $2.5 billion venture will quadruple Qcells’ total solar panel production capacity by 2024.
Stantec will work alongside Gray, a global builder in the manufacturing industry, on construction, architecture, mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering, structural/civil engineering, as well as environmental, water, and wastewater services.
The new facility will house the entire solar panel manufacturing process, including ingot production, wafer processing, cell processing, and module production. Developing photovoltaic manufacturing within the U.S. will help ease global supply chain challenges and combat the climate crisis.
Qcells is a subsidiary of Hanwha Solutions, one of the world’s largest PV manufacturers. The company anticipates increasing its solar module production capacity in the United States from 1.7 gigawatts in 2022 to 8.4 gigawatts by 2024.
The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last year was a major driver in helping this project move forward. Under that Act, solar companies making solar panel components can claim tax credits. This project will help to significantly reduce the U.S. dependency on foreign PV manufacturers.
Disruptions in the global economy have increased fragility and expenses related to supply-chain management, making offshoring less enticing. Manufacturers are increasingly seeking to simplify their supply chains, bringing production closer to demand, with many companies opting to add new factories in North America to increase net capacity.
“With a shared commitment to quality and innovation, we are proud to be part of establishing a reliable solar supply chain to the United States,” Leonard Castro, executive vice president for Stantec’s global Buildings practice, said in a press release. “Together with our partners at Gray, we are inspired by the opportunity to help Qcells create energy solutions that will support a more sustainable future.”
