Hanwha Q CELLS and Samsung Electronics Sign Business Agreement to Build 'Zero Energy Home'

Hanwha Q CELLS Produces and Stores Power with ESS, Manages Data
Samsung Electronics Provides Energy Saving Services

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Hanwha Q CELLS, the green energy division of Hanwha Solutions, and Samsung Electronics are pursuing strategic cooperation to lead the global residential energy market. Synergy is expected between Hanwha Q CELLS, which has achieved the number one market share in major solar module markets such as the United States, Germany, and Korea, and Samsung Electronics, which has strong brand power in the global home appliance market.

On the 2nd, Hanwha Q CELLS and Samsung Electronics signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for mutual cooperation to build a "Zero Energy Home" at the Hanwha Group headquarters building. This agreement aims to provide integrated comprehensive energy services by linking devices and software platforms of both companies to integrate energy production, storage, usage, and management.

A Zero Energy Home is a concept that realizes energy independence and reduces carbon emissions by efficiently using energy produced directly at home. It is mainly implemented through "Active technology," which produces energy primarily via solar power generation, and "Passive technology," which uses devices and materials that minimize energy loss.

Hanwha Q CELLS produces and stores electricity with residential solar modules and energy storage systems (ESS), and collects and manages real-time data on power generation, charging, and total usage through its own energy management platform, Q.ONNECT. It also provides optimal ESS operation services by utilizing expected charging data based on weather forecasts.

Samsung Electronics offers energy-saving services that efficiently manage energy consumed by the Eco Heating System (EHS) heat pump and various home appliances on the SmartThings Energy platform based on this data. SmartThings is an open platform, and a major advantage is that users can later link and manage various Internet of Things (IoT) home appliances even if they are not Samsung products. Furthermore, the two companies plan to expand business cooperation such as joint sales mainly in the United States and Europe, where the residential energy market is well developed, as well as domestic and international demonstration projects.

Kim Hee-chul, President of Hanwha Q CELLS, said, "We will establish a solid position in the global residential energy market through synergy between the two companies."

Lee Jae-seung, Head of Samsung Electronics' Home Appliance Business Division, said, "We will target the advanced residential energy markets through cooperation with Hanwha Q CELLS."