Hanwha Solutions to supply solar modules to Microsoft suppliers

Hanwha Q Cells' solar plant in Georgia [HANWHA SOLUTIONS]

Hanwha Solutions will supply solar modules with a combined capacity of more than 2.5 gigawatts to power suppliers contracted with Microsoft, the solar panel manufacturer said Thursday.

As Microsoft is pushing to achieve carbon neutrality before 2030, Hanwha Q Cells — which is the solar unit of Hanwha Solutions — will provide solar modules and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for solar plant construction projects to the U.S. tech company’s power contractors.

This is the first time for a global big tech to directly work with a solar manufacturer to secure a large-scale energy supply, according to the companies.

Microsoft aims to replace 100 percent of its electricity consumption generated by fossil fuels with renewables by 2025 by purchasing renewable-powered electricity.

Hanwha expects that the latest supply deal will help it further solidify its foothold in the U.S. solar market.

Hanwha Solutions recently announced a $2.5 billion plan to expand its production facility in the United States.

It is the biggest solar investment in the United States ever, according to the company. With the latest investments, Hanwha aims to reach a combined module production capacity of 8.4 gigawatts from its U.S. manufacturing plants by 2024, from the current 1.7 gigawatts.

“Building a resilient solar energy supply chain is essential to advancing a global green energy economy,” said Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft.

“Microsoft’s partnership with Qcells will help make this vision a reality by bringing innovation and investment to rural Georgia.”

Smith added that “as one of the world’s largest purchasers of renewable energy, this work will help bring more solar energy to the grid, faster.”

Lee Koo-yung, Hanwha Q Cells CEO, said that the collaboration with Microsoft "will help Hanwha Solutions to grow beyond a solar module manufacturer and become an all-encompassing energy company working with the global players."

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]