Submission

PV Manufacturing Supply Chain Engineering Training

Qcells and SEI will collaboratively design, create and roll-out introductory solar manufacturing skill and knowledge training courses.

Fereshteh Farzad, Director of R&D Business Development, Qcells, feri.farzad@qcells.com, 9145257208, Briarcliff, NY, https://www.linkedin.com/in/fereshteh-farzad-phd-pmp-71266622
Nishul Arora, Senior Engineer, Qcells, nishul.arora@qcells.com, 8505249822, Atlanta, GA, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishul/
Mary Babb Isarov, Program Manager-R&D Externals, Qcells, marybabb.isarov@qcells.com, 4045424206, Youngsville, NC, http://linkedin.com/in/mbisarov
Wendy Knapp, VP Curriculum and Instruction, SEI, wendy@solarenergy.org, 970-527-7657x103, Charleston, South Carolina, https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendymknapp/
Kris Sutton, Director of International Business Development and Instructor, SEI, Kris.sutton@solarenergy.org, 510-551-5339, Paonia, Colorado, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-sutton-98475080/
Meagan Coomes, Instructional Designer, SEI, meagan@solarenergy.org, 970-527-7657, Lexington, Kentucky, https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-coomes1/
Alex Jahp, Curriculum Developer and Instructor, SEI, alex@solarenergy.org, 970.527.7657x204, Salt Lake City, Utah, https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexjahp/
Kiera Coughlan, Development and Empowerment Program Manager, SEI, kiera@solarenergy.org, 970-527-7657x106, Flagstaff, Arizona, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiera-coughlan/
Denise Massart, VP Administrative Services and Finance, SEI, denise@solarenergy.org, 970-527-7657x210, Paonia, Colorado, https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-massart-isaacson-4100479/

Hanwha Qcells Technologies, Inc.

The PV industry in the United States has seen a significant surge in recent years, largely attributed to the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). At Hanwha Qcells, a global PV systems manufacturer, we are actively participating in this growth by investing over $2.5 billion to establish a fully integrated solar supply chain. This strategic investment includes expanding our U.S. production capacity to reach 8.4 GW by the end of 2024.
The ambitious expansion in the PV industry, however, presents an equally significant challenge - a looming scarcity of skilled workers in the PV manufacturing industry. An analysis done by the Solar Energy Industry Association projects that the American PV manufacturing workforce will grow by more than 300% in the next decade. The PV manufacturing industry is a highly specialized field that requires a unique blend of technical knowledge and practical skills. As the industry expands, the demand for engineers familiar with ingot/wafer production, cell manufacturing, and module assembly also grows. However, the supply of such a skilled workforce has not kept pace, creating a significant shortage, particularly of skilled engineers in various roles to work in the manufacturing facilities.
Qcells currently employs more than 100 engineers in its facility in Dalton, GA, specializing in areas such as production, process, equipment, and quality engineering. Similarly, our Cartersville facility currently houses 50 engineers and has plans to employ an additional 100 engineers once it becomes fully operational. As we rapidly expand our manufacturing capabilities, we are noticing a significant disparity in the 'demand vs supply' of trained workforce, particularly skilled engineers, for our manufacturing facilities. To address the lack of PV-specific skilled engineers, Qcells has resorted to hiring recent engineering graduates or experienced engineers from other manufacturing industries, such as carpet and tire production. These new hires undergo on-the-job training to reach the required skill level—a process that, while necessary, is lengthy and inefficient.
To address this shortage and bridge this gap, Qcells has forged a strategic partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI), a globally recognized leader in solar workforce training. Together, Qcells and SEI will develop a comprehensive training program aiming to train at least 200 engineers, including Qcells’ new hires and incumbent workers, to bridge the skills gap. The training program is meticulously designed to cover all essential technical aspects of PV manufacturing including fundamentals of ingot and wafer manufacturing, manufacturing of PV cells and modules, and reliability and quality testing of PV modules. The training will be delivered online through SEI's state-of-the-art Engage platform, ensuring that the training is flexible, accessible, and causes minimal disruption to the participants' regular work schedules.
The training is structured to function seamlessly between Qcells, a PV manufacturing company, and SEI a training organization. Qcells provides subject matter experts and materials for course development, ensuring that the training aligns with the real-world requirements of PV manufacturing. On the other hand, SEI contributes its extensive experience in instructional design, curriculum development, online course hosting, and administrative support. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells' specific training needs are met, and the learning outcomes are clear, measurable, and directly relevant to the needs of the PV manufacturing industry.
The training program isn't only about upskilling the workforce; it's also about giving back to the community. Qcells is committed to supporting low-income and disadvantaged communities by creating employment opportunities. Qcells aims to empower underrepresented communities, particularly the Hispanic population in Georgia. SEI's expertise in bilingual education and commitment to supporting marginalized groups contribute to the inclusiveness of the training program. The long-term impact of the program extends beyond individual employment opportunities. It nurtures talent, fosters local economic development, promotes environmental sustainability, contributes to social equity, and reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Solar Energy International (SEI)