Hanwha Solutions to supply 2.5 million solar panels to U.S.

Hanwha Solutions inked a deal with Virginia-based Summit Ridge Energy to supply 2.5 million solar panels, which can eventually offer electricity to 140,000 homes and businesses.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during her visit to Hanwha Solutions' solar manufacturing facility in Dalton, Georgia. [HANWHA SOLUTIONS]

Hanwha Solutions inked a deal with Virginia-based Summit Ridge Energy to supply 2.5 million solar panels, which can eventually offer electricity to 140,000 homes and businesses.

The announcement was made Thursday by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to the Korean company’s Georgia plant in Dalton.

"Today I am proud to announce that Q Cells has received a new order for 2.5 million solar panels,” Harris said during a speech at the plant. “Since taking office, our administration has made the largest investment in solar energy in our nation’s history."

“This order was made possible by the investments that we have made to expand American manufacturing and increase demand for clean energy," Harris added.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris shakes hands with a Hanwha Solutions employee at its solar manufacturing facility in Dalton, Georgia. [HANWHA SOLUTIONS]

Under the deal, Hanwha Q Cells, a solar subsidiary of Hanwha Solutions, will supply the panels to Summit Ridge Energy, which will use them to deploy community solar projects capable of generating 1.2 gigawatts of electricity for 140,000 households and businesses in states including Illinois, Maine and Maryland.

The size of the deal has not been disclosed.

Community solar projects allow people to tap into solar power generated at a shared site rather than on individual rooftops. It is a way for renters and those without access to rooftop solar panels to receive the benefits of clean energy.

Community solar results in an average of 10 percent in annual savings for customers, the U.S. government said.

Harris met with Hanwha Solutions Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan and Hanwha Q Cells CEO Lee Koo-yung during the visit and gave a speech about the Biden administration's clean energy policies.

Hanwha Q Cells will make the most of the order at its manufacturing facility in the United States.

Hanwha Q Cells in January announced an investment of $2.5 billion to expand its solar manufacturing facility in Dalton, Georgia, and build another plant in nearby Cartersville.

It was the biggest solar investment in the United States ever, according to the solar cell manufacturer.

Hanwha Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan speaks at Hanwha Solutions' solar manufacturing facility in Dalton, Georgia. [HANWHA SOLUTIONS]

With the latest investments, Hanwha aims to reach a combined module production capacity of 8.4 gigawatts by 2024, from the current 1.7 gigawatts.

And by 2030, Q Cells projects it will supply about 30 percent of total U.S. solar panel demand.

“Based on the solar project, Hanwha will have its solar manufacturing value chain in the United States, from making polysilicon, the raw material, and to the final products,” said Hanwha Vice Chairman Kim.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]