Solarcycle decided to build solar glass factory in Georgia

Solarcycle decided to build solar glass factory in Georgia, recycle Qcells panels

In a bustling February for US solar system recycling firm Solarcycle, the company unveiled plans for its inaugural gigawatt-scale solar glass manufacturing facility in Georgia. This facility, set to be established in Cedartown, Polk County, represents an investment of approximately USD 344 million (EUR 319.5 million) and will utilize recycled materials from retired solar panels to produce new solar glass, as per a statement released on Thursday. The forthcoming factory aims to solidify Solarcycle's position as one of the pioneering producers of specialized glass for crystalline-silicon (c-Si) photovoltaics within the US market. With an anticipated annual production capacity ranging from 5 GW to 6 GW, the facility will cater directly to domestic demand, addressing a crucial gap in the country's supply chain. Furthermore, Qcells, headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, and a subsidiary of Hanwha Solutions Corp. based in Seoul, has selected Solarcycle to manage the recycling of its decommissioned solar panels across the US.

The collaboration entails repurposing materials such as aluminum, silver, copper, silicon, and low-iron glass from Qcells' panels into locally manufactured clean energy products. This partnership aligns with Qcells' strategy to establish a comprehensive and sustainable solar supply chain in the United States, a plan announced approximately a year ago. Founded in 2022, Solarcycle asserts that its proprietary technology can recover 95% of a solar panel's material value, surpassing the current industry standard of around 50%. The company presently operates facilities in Odessa, Texas, and Mesa, Arizona, in addition to holding partnership agreements with over 40 solar energy firms.