Solar cell and module manufacturer Qcells has sealed an eight-year alliance with Microsoft Corporation to supply 12 GW of solar modules and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services.

The deal includes a 2.5 GW module and EPC services agreement that Qcells and Microsoft announced in January 2023.

Qcells said it is poised to make Microsoft advance its sustainability goals of achieving carbon negativity, water positivity, and zero waste by 2030.

Together, the two industry leaders aim to bring an estimated 1.5 GW of solar panels annually to projects Microsoft has contracted through 2032.

The solar modules will come from Qcells’ anticipated fully integrated solar supply chain factory in Cartersville, Georgia. The factory accounted for a significant component of Qcells’ $2.5 billion investment announced last year.

Justin Lee, CEO of Qcells, said, “We are pleased to be a part of such a substantial commitment that will accelerate the global shift to renewable energy solutions. Qcells is uniquely positioned to ally with Microsoft toward creating a clean, sustainable future because of our investment in building an American-made solar supply chain. We look forward to expanding renewable energy frontiers together today and tomorrow.”

Qcells said the partnership aligns with both companies’ aspirations to propel a global clean energy economy. With Microsoft’s ambitious 2025 commitment to cover 100% of its electricity consumption with renewable energy, Qcells emerges to offer a complete U.S. solar supply chain.

Bobby Hollis, Vice President, Energy, Microsoft, said, “Our expanded agreement with Qcells is designed to drive large-scale domestic production of solar modules essential to advancing a resilient U.S. supply chain and clean energy economy. Through long-term agreements like this, we are signaling Microsoft’s demand and bringing more renewable energy to the grid faster.”

Recently, REC Silicon in Moses Lake, Washington, initiated the production of polysilicon, the essential raw material in solar modules. The once dormant factory was revived with an over $200 million investment by Qcells’ parent company, Hanwha Solutions, in April 2022. The polysilicon produced by REC Silicon will power the new Qcells factory in Cartersville, Georgia, which is slated for completion in late 2024.