The state of Georgia is on the heart of what may very well be the most important funding in clear power manufacturing in US historical past, and Georgia Tech is poised to play a key function in an funding set to make 1000’s of 1000’s of jobs and enhance solar energy infrastructure in our state and past.
Qcells, a solar energy firm, plans to construct a $2.3 billion manufacturing complicated simply north of Atlanta in Cartersville to not solely produce state-of-the-art elements for photo voltaic panels, but additionally to fabricate full panels utilized in quite a lot of settings, from properties to giant business and industrial photo voltaic arrays.
Georgia Tech is residence to a few of the main researchers and consultants in photovoltaic supplies and photo voltaic power. Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena, assistant professor and Goizueta Junior College Rotating Chair within the College of Supplies Science and Engineering, and his analysis staff are blazing trails within the seek for new supplies that can be utilized in regeneration of photo voltaic power.
“A very powerful a part of this funding in US manufacturing is the truth that Qcells is investing within the improvement of ingot and wafer manufacturing,” stated Correa-Baena. Presently, silicon have to be processed to kind the photo voltaic cells used to reap power. Ingots are step one within the manufacturing means of refining uncooked supplies into wafers. Wafers kind the premise of completed photo voltaic panels.
Previously decade, most ingot and wafer manufacturing happened exterior the US. Finally, the aim is to make photo voltaic power extra reasonably priced for American customers and create high-paying jobs for Georgians.
“It is thrilling to see that silicon manufacturing is beginning up once more within the US and that Georgia is main the best way,” stated Ajeet Rohatgi, Regent and John H. Weitnauer Jr. Professor. Chair of the College of Electrical and Pc Engineering.
Rohatgi is likely one of the world’s main researchers in photovoltaics – the conversion of sunshine into electrical energy utilizing semiconducting supplies equivalent to silicon. He’s the founding director of the primary university-based and funded Division of Power Middle of Excellence for Photovoltaics Analysis and Training. The middle’s work focuses on discovering and enhancing the supplies used to make photo voltaic cells whereas additionally enhancing their effectivity.
Qcells constructed its first plant close to Dalton, Georgia, in 2019. By 2022, the power would be the largest producer of photo voltaic panels within the western hemisphere. Rohatgi stated representatives from Qcells visited its analysis amenities on campus, and he and his staff additionally visited the corporate’s Dalton facility.
“As the necessity for clear power continues to develop within the nation, we’re able to put 1000’s of individuals to work creating totally American-made and sustainable photo voltaic options, from uncooked materials to in completed panels,” stated Justin Lee, CEO of Qcells. “We’re dedicated to working with our clients in addition to nationwide and Georgia leaders to carry totally clear power to thousands and thousands of individuals throughout the nation.”
Tim Lieuwen, govt director of Strategic Power Institute, The Regents Professor, and David S. Lewis Jr. Chair stated, “Georgia Tech is a key chief in most of the core applied sciences associated to wash power industries, has probably the most distinguished researchers and amenities within the nation, and educates many undergraduate and graduate college students. college students in these areas.”
So Tech has the potential to be a beneficial companion on this venture. “We’re in a singular house the place we will interface with Qcells to assist them enhance supplies processing and discover new supplies, but additionally assist their manufacturing processes by introducing synthetic intelligence to optimize processes and improve their productiveness,” stated Correa-Baena.
The announcement is just not solely important for Georgia Tech, but additionally for the state of Georgia. In Lieuwen’s view, Georgia is rising as a middle for clear power manufacturing and know-how, in no small half due to the Institute’s partnerships, analysis, and workforce improvement efforts. He says that advances in electrical autos, batteries, and hydrogen energy are all selecting up steam in our state. “Having a lot of these firms in areas the place Georgia Tech focuses its analysis and improvement efforts is nice for the Institute and the state.”
The growth of Qcells is probably going solely the tip of the iceberg, as main researchers from throughout campus acknowledge tasks like this one the place technological experience and innovation could make a distinction.
“I’m smitten by this growth of photo voltaic cell manufacturing in Georgia as a result of it builds on different clear power, electrification, and power storage industries that exist already or are deliberate for our state,” stated Julia Kubanek. , professor and vp of Interdisciplinary Analysis. “The Southeast is more and more turning into generally known as a hub for cleantech innovation, and Georgia Tech is proud to be a key contributor to this ecosystem.”
Manufacturing of the brand new Qcells photo voltaic plant is anticipated to start in 2024.
