Solar manufacturer Qcells is cutting hours and pay for part of its Georgia workforce, including employees at its new Cartersville plant, after U.S. customs officials detained shipments of imported components needed for production.
The South Korean company, a unit of Hanwha Solutions, said about 1,000 of its 3,000 Georgia workers will see temporary reductions, and 300 contract employees in Cartersville and Dalton will be laid off.
Qcells said its materials are “fully traceable and sourced outside of China,” but the federal government has increased scrutiny under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, leading to port delays.
Despite the disruption, the company plans to finish its $2.3 billion Cartersville facility, which will make ingots, wafers, and solar cells. Spokesperson Marta Stoepker said Qcells expects operations to recover in the coming weeks.
“Our commitment to building America’s solar supply chain right here in Cartersville remains unchanged,” Stoepker said.
