Hanwha Solar Deepens Roots in North America, Opens Research & Development Center
Top 10 Worldwide Solar Company to Conduct Next-Generation Product R&D in California
Santa Clara, Calif., April 12, 2012 — Hanwha Solar, a global provider of photovoltaic (PV) solar solutions, today opened a state-of-the-art PV research and development (R&D) laboratory in Santa Clara, Calif. The facility will explore a variety of next-generation PV concepts for efficient, low-cost conversion of solar energy into electricity.
“Hanwha Solar located this facility in Silicon Valley to tap into the region’s culture of innovation and technical expertise,” said Hee Cheul Kim, president of Hanwha Solar. “It is critical for a global company like Hanwha Solar to have a strong presence in California, because it is the epicenter of clean technology R&D. The investment being made in solar is a reflection of the confidence the Hanwha Group has in clean energy as a long term growth engine.”
Hanwha Solar invested $14 million in the 30,000 square foot facility, which was built with room for expansion in mind. The company will employ 30 people at the R&D center, in addition to the 47 people it employs across the U.S. Altogether, Hanwha Solar has invested $50 million in the U.S. over the previous two years, broadening its local presence and gain access to advanced solar technology through strategic partnerships with businesses like OneRoof Energy, Crystal Solar, Solar Monkey and 1366 Technologies. Hanwha Solar will continue to increase the company’s footprint in the region over the coming years, making additional investments and increasing employment.
“A relentless commitment to new and better technology is key to Hanwha Solar’s competitiveness,” said chief technology officer Chris Eberspacher, who is based in the Santa Clara facility. “In solar technology, you can never rest on your laurels. Yesterday’s innovation can easily fade into obsolescence tomorrow. This center will keep Hanwha Solar on the next horizon of solar technology.”
Hanwha Solar has a total of three state-of-the-art R&D centers in Korea, China and the United States, focused on varying stages of solar innovation:
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Korea – Solar R&D Center: Next generation C-Si technologies
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China – Engineering Technology Center: Continuous cost efficiencies and competitive performance
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United States – Advanced R&D Laboratory: Advanced technologies to transform markets
Additionally, Hanwha Solar is launching a national marketing campaign to raise brand awareness in the U.S.
These actions are part of a concerted effort by Hanwha Solar to strengthen its position in North America and build the company into a world leading solar solutions provider.
Hanwha Solar executives and dignitaries gathered for the opening of the Hanwha Solar R&D center in Santa Clara, Calif., on April 12, 2012. Pictured from left to right: Sang Mook Lee, President of Hanwha International, LLC; Chris Eberspacher, chief technology officer Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd.; Jamie L. Mathews, Mayor of Santa Clara; Hee Cheul Kim, president of Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd. and Dong Kwan Kim, chief strategy officer of Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd.
CONTACT: Joey Marquart, Edelman
(650) 762-2987, joey.marquart@edelman.com
About Hanwha Solar
Hanwha Solar is a global provider of total solar energy solutions and a leading manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers and photovoltaic cells and modules. As the flagship company of Korea’s Hanwha Group—a Fortune 500 company—Hanwha Solar offers value beyond its high-quality products by providing various value-added services such as joint-development, project funding and co-marketing. As a global solar energy solution provider, Hanwha Solar maintains a strong worldwide presence, with employees located throughout Europe, North America and Asia. It embraces environmental responsibility and sustainability, playing a major role in the voluntary photovoltaic recycling program and various community-development projects. Delivering top value to customers through fully-integrated solar solutions, Hanwha Solar’s overriding goal is to set new standards in innovation and value by redefining what it means to be a vertically integrated company. For more information, please visitwww.hanwhasolar.com.
About Hanwha Group
Founded in 1952, Hanwha Group is a leading Korean business group with 56 domestic affiliates and 69 global networks in three major sectors of manufacturing/construction, finance and service/leisure. In 2011, Hanwha Group held assets of $87.7 billion and total revenue of $31.6 billion. Putting strategic emphasis on renewable energies and global expansion, Hanwha Group has made successful advancements in solar energy, rechargeable batteries and biosimilars. Hanwha Group has also extended its global footprint in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the United States. For more information, please visit www.hanwha.com.
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