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(Photo= Yonhap news) |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Sangjin] Hanwha Q CELLS has responded to allegations reported by Bloomberg on the 9th that despite suspicions related to sanctioned Chinese companies, they receive substantial tax benefits in the United States. In response, Hanwha Q CELLS countered that their solar panel products sold in North America do not contain polysilicon produced in Xinjiang, China.
According to Bloomberg, Hanwha Q CELLS aims to manufacture its entire core solar value chain in North America to qualify for large tax incentives from the U.S. government. However, it was revealed that at least until the end of this year, their solar module factory in Dalton, Georgia, still uses basic materials sourced from China.
Additionally, a Chinese document recently disclosed that a supplier to Hanwha Q CELLS, who supplied polysilicon to two Chinese companies supplying wafers to Hanwha Q CELLS, has been listed by the U.S. government for forced labor issues.
Bloomberg reported that there is no evidence that polysilicon related to forced labor has been used in Hanwha Q CELLS' solar panels. However, concerns were raised about how effectively Hanwha Q CELLS can supervise their Chinese suppliers.
In February, U.S. authorities demanded that solar-related importers submit policies to ensure materials produced through forced labor are not included in their supply chains. Hanwha Q CELLS responded that they require their suppliers to confirm that raw materials are not produced in Xinjiang and do not involve forced labor.
Nevertheless, according to Chinese documents cited by Bloomberg, suppliers to Hanwha Q CELLS who provide wafers have sourced polysilicon from companies sanctioned by the U.S.
AlphaBIZ Kim SangJin(letyou@alphabiz.co.kr)
