Q Cells commits to three-year, €125m German R&D spend
The Korean company has committed to invest in solar innovation in Germany at a time when the EU and member states are desperately trying to kick-start the Covid-19 recovery.
The company – which has its roots in former German cell maker Q-Cells AG – today announced it will spend €35 million per year for the next three years on research and development at its base in Thalheim, in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. A further €20 million will be spent at the site for R&D equipment and machinery during that time – €10 million of it within 12 months.
The Thalheim site is where the German forerunner company established its first cell production line in 2001 and Hanwha Q Cells said the investment proved its commitment to European solar innovation amid the Covid-19 pandemic – as well as its faith in the global patent system. The company said the R&D effort would be geared towards its next-generation Q.Antum solar cells and modules.
Thalheim-based Q Cells chief technology officer Daniel Jeong said: “Q Cells is proud of its rich history of formative innovations in solar technology. With the investments that the company has now decided upon, we are laying the foundations for the next groundbreaking innovation that Q Cells will develop in Germany and commercialize for the global solar markets.”
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