Hanwha Q CELLS Wins 2GW Solar Module Order in the US... Also Supplies ESS and Energy Management Systems

'Community Solar' Achieves Record Largest Scale

Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS Division (hereinafter Hanwha Q CELLS) has once again succeeded in securing a large-scale order in the United States. Through this order, Hanwha Q CELLS will provide an integrated solution including not only solar modules but also energy storage systems (ESS) and its self-developed energy management software.

Hanwha Q CELLS announced on the 21st that it has signed a partnership agreement with Summit Ridge Energy (SRE), a U.S. commercial solar developer, to supply a total of 2GW of solar modules by 2027 and to visualize cooperation on ESS projects.

This agreement expands the 1.2GW module supply partnership announced last April when U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited Hanwha Q CELLS’ Dalton plant in Georgia.

SRE plans to utilize the additionally secured 800MW of modules for more than 100 community solar projects to be promoted in the U.S. Hanwha Q CELLS will supply modules produced at the 'Solar Hub,' a North American solar cell manufacturing base scheduled to be fully operational from next year.

Community Solar Power Plant in Illinois, USA, Promoted by SRE [Photo by Hanwha Q CELLS]

Community solar is a project where local community members pool investment costs to build solar power plants and jointly earn profits. It allows low-income groups who find it difficult to bear initial investment costs to participate. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the U.S. installed a total of 5.8GW of community solar power facilities by the first half of last year. The module supply contract between the two companies is the largest community solar-related partnership signed in the U.S.

This agreement also includes Hanwha Q CELLS supplying ESS equipment and energy management system (EMS) software to SRE. Hanwha Q CELLS will act as the preferred supplier for procurement and supply in the ESS projects promoted by SRE and provide its self-developed excellent EMS software solution. EMS is a system that helps the efficient operation of ESS by considering energy consumption patterns and electricity price fluctuations. Hanwha Q CELLS continuously develops and supplies EMS software that can enhance both user energy efficiency and the economic feasibility of power plants by utilizing AI (artificial intelligence) technology.

ESS complex located in New York State, USA, promoted by SRE [Photo by Hanwha Q CELLS]

Lee Gu-young, CEO of Hanwha Q CELLS, said, "Hanwha Q CELLS has been recognized not only for solar manufacturing but also for system development capabilities, enabling us to secure integrated orders including hardware such as modules and BESS (Battery ESS) as well as software. We will continue to equip competitive comprehensive solutions to meet more customer demands and maximize business synergy effects."

Meanwhile, Hanwha Q CELLS is accelerating the expansion of its business scope by securing large-scale contracts not only for equipment supply contracts in the U.S. commercial solar market but also in project development and EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) fields. In April, it signed a total of 450MW 'turn-key' contract with TGC, a U.S. energy infrastructure private equity fund. Hanwha Q CELLS will supply modules for commercial solar projects and community solar projects promoted by TGC, and Enable, a Hanwha Q CELLS subsidiary, will perform EPC.