Summit Ridge Energy Expands Partnership with Qcells, Commits to Purchase 800 MW of Solar Panels

Summit Ridge Energy has announced an expansion of its partnership with Qcells, agreeing to purchase 800 MW of solar panels to bolster its community solar projects across the United States. This agreement builds upon a previous 1.2 GW commitment between the two companies, initially announced in April 2023 during a statement by Vice President Kamala Harris, marking it as the largest equipment purchase for the community solar market at that time.

With the increased total commitment now reaching 2 GW, Summit Ridge Energy plans to develop over 100 additional community solar projects using solar panels manufactured in the United States by Qcells.

Last year, Qcells made headlines with a historic $2.5 billion investment to establish a comprehensive solar supply chain in the U.S., becoming the first company to achieve a fully integrated silicon-based solar supply chain in the country. This investment aims to ensure that Qcells’ solar panels, from polysilicon to finished products, are entirely manufactured in the U.S.

The expansion of Qcells’ manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. aligns with incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes tax benefits for domestic energy production and manufacturing. Summit Ridge Energy’s solar projects are eligible for IRA tax credits, enhancing access to clean energy savings for thousands of low-income households.

Brian Dunn, Chief Operating Officer of Summit Ridge Energy, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded partnership: “We are excited to expand our partnership with Qcells, enabling Summit Ridge to deliver locally generated clean energy to more Americans. This collaboration supports domestic manufacturing, job creation, and provides affordable clean energy solutions to communities historically underserved in the clean energy transition.”

Summit Ridge Energy’s portfolio of community solar farms is projected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 200,000 homes and businesses. Since its inception in 2017, the company has invested over $2.6 billion into clean energy assets and manages a development pipeline exceeding 3 GW, aimed at expanding solar power accessibility nationwide.

Justin Lee, CEO of Qcells, highlighted the broader impact of the partnership: “Expanding our relationship with Summit Ridge Energy means more communities will benefit from affordable and sustainable energy solutions. This partnership not only supports the growth of domestic manufacturing and solar jobs but also ensures equitable access to the benefits of the clean energy economy.”

The majority of the solar panels purchased by Summit Ridge will be manufactured at Qcells’ new U.S. facility in Georgia. Additionally, Qcells will continue to supply battery storage and software solutions to Summit Ridge under separate agreements.

This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing clean energy initiatives and supporting economic growth through sustainable practices in the solar energy sector.