In a significant expansion of their collaboration, Summit Ridge Energy (SRE) announced on June 20, 2024, a new agreement to procure an additional 800 MW of solar panels from Qcells. This latest commitment brings the total volume of their partnership to an impressive 2 GW, reinforcing their joint effort to advance community solar initiatives across the United States.
This new deal builds upon a landmark 1.2 GW agreement established in April 2023, which was announced by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and recognized as one of the largest domestic community solar equipment purchases in history. The combined 2 GW of panels will be instrumental in developing over 100 new community solar projects, which are projected to power an estimated 200,000 homes and businesses nationwide.
Bolstering Domestic Manufacturing and Job Growth
A majority of the solar modules will be sourced from Qcells’ manufacturing facility in Georgia, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening the U.S. supply chain. This focus on domestic production is heavily supported by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which provides key tax incentives for American-made energy components. SRE and Qcells were among the first companies to leverage the IRA to forge such domestic manufacturing agreements, which also help mitigate uncertainties from tariffs and global supply chain disruptions.
“Through our partnership with Qcells, we contribute to domestic manufacturing and job creation, while also extending affordable clean energy to communities historically underserved by the clean energy transition,” stated Brian Dunn, Chief Operating Officer of Summit Ridge Energy.
Expanding Clean Energy Access for All Communities
A core objective of the partnership is to make renewable energy more accessible, particularly for low-income households. Many of SRE’s projects qualify for IRA tax credits designed to deliver energy savings to these communities. The agreement extends beyond solar panels, as Qcells will also supply SRE with battery storage and software solutions through separate procurements.
Justin Lee, CEO of Qcells, commented on the expanded collaboration’s goals. “This collaboration not only bolsters the domestic manufacturing sector and supports thousands of jobs in solar energy but also ensures that more people, particularly those historically underserved, can reap the benefits of the clean energy economy,” he said. By securing this substantial supply of domestically produced panels, Summit Ridge Energy is solidifying its role as a leader in the nation’s shift toward a sustainable and equitable energy future.
Sources
- Hanwha Qcells inks latest U.S. deal with SRE – Korea JoongAng Daily
- Summit Ridge to procure 800 MW of Qcells solar panels
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