Qcells Begins Solar Cell Manufacturing at America’s First and Only Vertically Integrated Solar Factory in Cartersville, Georgia

Qcells, a global leader in complete clean energy solutions, announced that it has begun manufacturing solar cells at its Cartersville, Georgia factory, marking a major milestone toward completing the country’s only vertically integrated solar manufacturing plant, where major components from ingot to finished module is made under one roof. The company expects to be at full production by Q3 2026 making this the largest operating solar cell factory in U.S. history. In addition to starting its cell production, Cartersville module assembly is now at full capacity, building 16,700 panels a day.

“Producing the first solar cells at Cartersville is a milestone for Qcells and for American manufacturing,” said Andy Park, Global CEO of Qcells. “As our ingot, wafer, and cell lines reach full capacity, we’ll be making the major components of a solar panel right here in Georgia. A dependable domestic supply chain doesn’t just create thousands of good-paying jobs, it gives our customers greater certainty on price, supply, and tariffs, and a product they can trust from start to finish.”

With cells in production, the factory will scale fast: by Q3 2026, Cartersville will make 3.3 GW each of ingots, wafers, cells, and 3.5 GW of modules a year. Together with the expanded Dalton factory, which tripled module capacity to 5.1 GW in late 2023, Qcells’ total module capacity in Georgia will reach 8.6 GW a year, or 47,000 panels a day, approximately the energy needed to power roughly 1.3 million U.S. homes for a year.

The Cartersville investment is also bringing thousands of skilled manufacturing jobs to Northwest Georgia. Together with the expanded Dalton campus, Qcells’ Georgia operations are expected to employ nearly 4,000 people — an estimated 3,800 direct jobs across Bartow and Whitfield Counties.

The modules produced in Cartersville will also help project developers and asset owners qualify for the 10% Domestic Content Bonus under the Investment Tax Credit. Because the major components of each module are made domestically, customers can pursue qualifying projects with greater confidence on pricing, supply and sourcing. With demand for fully domestic solar equipment growing, Qcells expects strong interest in Cartersville-produced modules.

Qcells’ fully integrated U.S. manufacturing platform also helps shield customers from supply chain disruptions and trade uncertainty. By producing major solar components domestically, the company gives customers greater visibility into sourcing, pricing and delivery timelines, reducing exposure to international supply constraints and tariff volatility. For developers and energy buyers focused on reliable, long-term project execution, that domestic supply chain is an increasingly decisive advantage.

That same domestic manufacturing footprint also positions Qcells to capture the full value of the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit across the solar value chain. By producing ingots, wafers, cells and modules domestically, the company can claim credits at each stage of production — something no other U.S. solar manufacturer can currently do. That competitive advantage supports continued investment in American manufacturing, workforce development and long-term domestic supply chain growth.

The Cartersville factory is the first such operation built in the United States in more than a decade and will be home to the largest ingot and wafer plant ever constructed in the country. The launch of this facility is a testament to the company’s enduring commitment to a fully American supply chain that can power American homes, businesses, utilities and communities. The result of this investment means Qcells customers will benefit from both an easier path to qualifying for the domestic content tax credit and greater supply certainty for their projects.

Qcells | https://qcells.com/us