Qcells' Shipments Detained Amid UFLPA Scrutiny; U.S. Expansion Continues
Qcells, a prominent solar panel manufacturer, has confirmed the detention of its shipments due to increased scrutiny under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). The company reassured that the detained cells are not from Xinjiang and are sourced from its South Korean and Malaysian factories.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially denied entry to Qcells' shipments from South Korea, but later released them after review. This follows a trend of increased examinations and ups of solar-technology products, with over 16,700 shipments worth nearly $3.7 billion stopped for UFLPA examination as of Aug. 1, 2025.
Qcells is expanding its manufacturing site in Cartersville, Georgia, aiming to reach 3.3 gigawatts in annual production capacity by early 2026. Despite this, the company's new silicon solar cell factory in the same location is now expected to start production in mid-2025, not spring 2026, though the expected production capacity remains unclear.
Qcells continues to invest in domestic manufacturing while navigating UFLPA enforcement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's recent addition of new sectors to UFLPA enforcement suggests stepped-up actions, which may impact the solar industry further.
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