Where does Hanwha Q CELLS source the inputs in this product?

This map traces 39 inputs across 9 countries, including 15 mines and refiners. It is compiled from public sources and is not an audited bill of materials.

How much of the Hanwha Q CELLS supply chain sits in a covered nation?

6 of 39 mapped inputs are sited in a covered nation (China, Russia, Iran or North Korea) or named on a federal restricted-party list. A further 13 carry elevated sourcing risk without either basis.

FEOC ComplianceProspector Labs

Back to supply chains

Where does Hanwha Q CELLS source its components?

South Korea. Supply chain mapped to 39 inputs across 9 countries.

Federal screeningClean

No federal designation found. Hanwha Q Cells is not named on any of the 3 federal restricted-party lists screened for this record (DOD Section 1260H, BIS Entity List, OFAC SDN List), and South Korea is not a covered nation under the FEOC rules. Is Hanwha Q CELLS a Foreign Entity of Concern?

Upstream sourcing exposure

Medium32% weighted

6 in covered nations - 13 elevated, of 39 nodes.

Where inputs are mined and refined. Not a FEOC determination for the company -- see the federal list screening above.

Refining chokepoint

4 of 10 processing/refining steps in covered nations

Where the exposure sits - by supply-chain tier

Producer1

Component10

Processing / Refining10

Raw Material12

Mine / Extraction5

Logistics1

designated covered nation elevated no known factor not assessed

Loading chain view...

Sourcing Concentration by Country

Covered NationAllied NationOther

Sourcing risk across the graph

Where each input is mined or refined. Not a FEOC determination for the company.

Designated (0%)

Covered nation (15%)

Elevated (33%)

No known factor (51%)

Legend

Node Types

Producer

Supplier

Component

Processing / Refining

Raw Material

Mine / Extraction

Logistics

Sourcing risk

Federally designated - named on a restricted-party list

Covered nation - sited in China, Russia, Iran or North Korea

Elevated - documented concentration risk, no federal listing

No known risk factor - not a compliance clearance

Not assessed - no sourcing judgement was made

Relationships

Transformation - manufactures / assembles

Refining - midstream processing (FEOC chokepoint)

Supply handoff - supplies / sources from

Arrows point in the direction material flows (input to product).

Every mapped input in the Hanwha Q CELLS supply chain

39 nodes, grouped by supply-chain tier. Sourcing risk describes where an input is mined or refined; it is not a FEOC determination for Hanwha Q CELLS.

Producer (1)

Input	Origin	Sourcing risk	Basis
Hanwha Q CELLSDalton & Cartersville, Georgia, USA (module assembly + vertically integrated ingot-to-module)	South Korea	No known risk factor	Korean parent Hanwha Solutions. Building America's first fully vertically integrated ingot-wafer-cell-module factory at Cartersville GA; module assembly also at Dalton GA.

Component (10)

Input	Origin	Sourcing risk	Basis
c-Si PV Module (assembled)Dalton & Cartersville, Georgia	United States	No known risk factor	Final laminated module: cells + glass + encapsulant + backsheet + frame + junction box. Assembled in Georgia.
Solar Cell (TOPCon/PERC)Cartersville, Georgia	United States	No known risk factor	Cell production began at Cartersville in 2026 — first US vertically integrated cell line. Diffused/metallized silicon wafer.
Silicon WaferCartersville, Georgia	United States	No known risk factor	Largest ingot & wafer plant ever built in the US. Sawn from mono ingots. Globally ~95% of wafers are made in China; Q CELLS onshores this step.
Monocrystalline Silicon IngotCartersville, Georgia	United States	No known risk factor	Czochralski-grown mono ingot from polysilicon feedstock. Onshored at Cartersville.
Silver Metallization PastePaste blended for TOPCon/PERC front & rear contacts	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	Silver constitutes 90-95% of paste. Conducts current on the cell. High-purity Ag powder from Dowa (JP)/Ames (US)/Samsung SDI (KR); paste often formulated in Asia — mixed, review.
Anodized Aluminum FrameExtruded/anodized aluminum profile	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	Structural frame around laminate. Aluminum extrusion; smelting of primary aluminum is China-heavy — mixed, review.
Low-Iron Solar Glass (front cover)Patterned tempered low-iron PV glass	China	Covered nation	Front cover glass. Solar-glass manufacturing is >90% concentrated in China — flagged. Made from silica sand + soda ash, tempered.
EVA / POE Encapsulant FilmEVA/POE film (Targray-type suppliers)	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	Transparent polymer that encapsulates cells and bonds glass/backsheet. Film converting in US/allied but resin supply chain is global — review.
Polymer Backsheet (PVF/PET)Multi-layer PVF or PET backsheet	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	Rear electrical-insulation and weather barrier. Fluoropolymer (PVF, e.g. Tedlar) / PET laminate; converting in US, resin sourcing mixed — review.
Junction Box + Bypass DiodesSealed rear J-box with bypass diodes & connectors	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	Houses bypass diodes and cable connections on module rear. Assembled US/allied; diode & connector sub-parts often Asian-sourced — review.

Processing and refining (10)

Input	Origin	Sourcing risk	Basis
Silicon Metal Smelter — Mississippi SiliconBurnsville, Mississippi	United States	No known risk factor	First new US silicon-metal smelter in 40 yrs; ~10% of US silicon metal. Submerged-arc furnace reduces quartz + carbon to MG-Si.
Silicon Metal Smelter — FerroglobeAlabama / West Virginia / Ohio, USA	United States	No known risk factor	Ferroglobe US: leading producer of silicon metal serving solar; carbothermic reduction furnaces.
Silicon Metal Smelter — Elkem (Norway)Norway	Norway	No known risk factor	Elkem ASA, Norway's leading silicon-metal producer; hydropower-based allied source.
Silicon Metal Smelter (China baseline)Yunnan / Xinjiang, China	China	Covered nation	China ~80% of global silicon-metal smelting — the flagged midstream default for the metallurgical-silicon step.
Silver Refinery (Mexico/Peru)Mexico & Peru	Mexico	No known risk factor	Doré refined to high-purity silver in Latin America — allied-region refining, clean.
Silver Refinery (China)China	China	Covered nation	China is the #2 silver producer with major refining capacity; Chinese-refined silver flagged as midstream chokepoint.
Alumina RefineryAustralia (Bayer process)	Australia	No known risk factor	Refines bauxite to alumina; Australia is a major allied refiner.
Alumina Refinery (China)China	China	Covered nation	China refines the largest share of global alumina and dominates primary aluminum smelting — flagged midstream.
Copper Refinery / SmelterChile (electrolytic copper)	Chile	No known risk factor	Electrorefines copper cathode. Chile is the top allied copper producer; China also refines a large global share.
Copper Refinery (China)China	China	Covered nation	China smelts/refines ~half of global copper cathode — flagged midstream chokepoint for copper.

Raw material (12)

Input	Origin	Sourcing risk	Basis
Solar-Grade PolysiliconOCIM Sdn Bhd, Malaysia	Malaysia	No known risk factor	Q CELLS contracted OCI (Korea) for polysilicon made in Malaysia using carbon-free hydroelectricity, ~$22/kg (3x Chinese). Non-China, allied-refined — clean.
Granular Polysilicon (REC Silicon, idled)Moses Lake, Washington	United States	No known risk factor	Hanwha was largest shareholder in REC Silicon; hydropower FBR granular polysilicon plant. Failed Q CELLS quality tests and ceased production Dec 2024. US/hydro but currently idled.
Polysilicon (Chinese industry baseline)Xinjiang / Inner Mongolia, China	China	Covered nation	China controls ~95% of global polysilicon/wafer output. Q CELLS deliberately avoids this via OCI Malaysia; included as the flagged industry-default midstream chokepoint.
Silicon Metal (metallurgical grade)Multiple carbothermic smelters	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	MG-Si feedstock for polysilicon. Made by carbothermic reduction of quartz. US + Norway supply exists but China produces ~80% globally — mixed sourcing, review.
High-Purity Quartz / QuartziteSpruce Pine, North Carolina	United States	No known risk factor	HPQ raw material for the silicon chain. Spruce Pine NC supplies 70-90% of world's highest-purity quartz. Quartzite also mined in Norway, Brazil.
High-Purity Silver PowderDowa (Japan), Ames Goldsmith (US), Samsung SDI (Korea)	Japan	Elevated sourcing risk	These 3 control ~78% of solar-grade Ag powder. Allied producers but some downstream paste refining occurs in China — review.
Refined Silver (bullion)Mexican / Peruvian / Chinese refineries	Mexico	Elevated sourcing risk	Refined from doré. Mexico + Peru mine ~43% of world silver; China is #2 producer & a major refiner — refining split makes this review.
Aluminum (primary/extrusion billet)Smelter + extrusion	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	Frame stock. US/Canada/Mideast smelting exists but China ~55% of global primary aluminum — review.
Alumina (refined)Bayer-process alumina refineries	Australia	Elevated sourcing risk	Precursor to aluminum metal. Australia is a top alumina producer but China refines the plurality of global alumina — review.
Silica Sand (glass grade)Industrial silica sand deposits	United States	No known risk factor	Main raw input to solar glass; abundant allied-country supply. Melted with soda ash.
EVA / POE Polymer ResinPetrochemical resin producers	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	Ethylene-vinyl-acetate / polyolefin resin base for encapsulant film; petrochemical feedstock, mixed global sourcing.
Copper Wiring / Tabbing RibbonTinned copper busbar/tabbing ribbon & J-box leads	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	Copper interconnect ribbon (tin/silver-coated) linking cells, plus J-box cabling. Copper refining is significantly China-weighted — review.

Mine and extraction (5)

Input	Origin	Sourcing risk	Basis
Spruce Pine Quartz MineSpruce Pine, North Carolina (Sibelco / The Quartz Corp)	United States	No known risk factor	World's premier high-purity quartz district; feeds semiconductor + solar silicon supply chains.
Quartzite Mine (Norway/Brazil)Norway & Brazil quartzite deposits	Norway	No known risk factor	Metallurgical-grade quartzite for silicon smelting; allied-country reserves outside China.
Silver MineMexico & Peru (Fresnillo, etc.)	Mexico	No known risk factor	Mexico leads global silver production (~186 Moz/yr); Peru #2. Latin America produces >55% of world silver.
Bauxite MineAustralia / Guinea	Australia	No known risk factor	Bauxite ore, the raw source of aluminum. Australia & Guinea are the top mining countries.
Copper MineChile & Peru	Chile	No known risk factor	Copper ore/concentrate. Chile and Peru are the leading copper-mining nations (allied).

Logistics (1)

Input	Origin	Sourcing risk	Basis
Inbound Materials LogisticsPort of Savannah, Georgia + inland to Dalton/Cartersville	United States	Elevated sourcing risk	Imported polysilicon, glass, frames, encapsulant routed via Savannah to Georgia factories. Transit through mixed-origin shipping lanes.

Material flow (47 relationships)

Hanwha Q CELLS manufactures c-Si PV Module (assembled) (c-Si PV Module)
c-Si PV Module (assembled) assembles Solar Cell (TOPCon/PERC) (Solar Cell)
Solar Cell (TOPCon/PERC) manufactures Silicon Wafer (Silicon Wafer)
Silicon Wafer manufactures Monocrystalline Silicon Ingot (Silicon Ingot)
Monocrystalline Silicon Ingot supplies Solar-Grade Polysilicon (Solar-Grade Polysilicon)
Monocrystalline Silicon Ingot supplies Granular Polysilicon (REC Silicon, idled) (Granular Polysilicon (idled))
Monocrystalline Silicon Ingot supplies Polysilicon (Chinese industry baseline) (Polysilicon (China baseline))
Solar-Grade Polysilicon supplies Silicon Metal (metallurgical grade) (Silicon Metal feedstock)
Granular Polysilicon (REC Silicon, idled) supplies Silicon Metal (metallurgical grade) (Silicon Metal feedstock)
Silicon Metal (metallurgical grade) refines Silicon Metal Smelter — Mississippi Silicon (Silicon Metal)
Silicon Metal (metallurgical grade) refines Silicon Metal Smelter — Ferroglobe (Silicon Metal)
Silicon Metal (metallurgical grade) refines Silicon Metal Smelter — Elkem (Norway) (Silicon Metal)
Silicon Metal (metallurgical grade) refines Silicon Metal Smelter (China baseline) (Silicon Metal (China baseline))
Silicon Metal Smelter — Mississippi Silicon sources from High-Purity Quartz / Quartzite (High-Purity Quartz)
Silicon Metal Smelter — Ferroglobe sources from High-Purity Quartz / Quartzite (Quartz)
Silicon Metal Smelter — Elkem (Norway) sources from Quartzite Mine (Norway/Brazil) (Quartzite)
High-Purity Quartz / Quartzite refines Spruce Pine Quartz Mine (Quartz ore)
High-Purity Quartz / Quartzite refines Quartzite Mine (Norway/Brazil) (Quartzite ore)
Solar Cell (TOPCon/PERC) assembles Silver Metallization Paste (Silver Metallization Paste)
Silver Metallization Paste supplies High-Purity Silver Powder (High-Purity Silver Powder)
High-Purity Silver Powder supplies Refined Silver (bullion) (Refined Silver)
Refined Silver (bullion) refines Silver Refinery (Mexico/Peru) (Refined Silver)
Refined Silver (bullion) refines Silver Refinery (China) (Refined Silver)
Silver Refinery (Mexico/Peru) sources from Silver Mine (Silver doré/ore)
Silver Refinery (China) sources from Silver Mine (Silver doré/ore)
c-Si PV Module (assembled) assembles Anodized Aluminum Frame (Aluminum Frame)
Anodized Aluminum Frame supplies Aluminum (primary/extrusion billet) (Aluminum billet)
Aluminum (primary/extrusion billet) supplies Alumina (refined) (Alumina)
Alumina (refined) refines Alumina Refinery (Alumina)
Alumina (refined) refines Alumina Refinery (China) (Alumina)
Alumina Refinery sources from Bauxite Mine (Bauxite ore)
Alumina Refinery (China) sources from Bauxite Mine (Bauxite ore)
c-Si PV Module (assembled) assembles Low-Iron Solar Glass (front cover) (Solar Glass)
Low-Iron Solar Glass (front cover) supplies Silica Sand (glass grade) (Silica Sand)
c-Si PV Module (assembled) assembles EVA / POE Encapsulant Film (EVA/POE Encapsulant)
EVA / POE Encapsulant Film supplies EVA / POE Polymer Resin (EVA/POE Resin)
c-Si PV Module (assembled) assembles Polymer Backsheet (PVF/PET) (Backsheet)
c-Si PV Module (assembled) assembles Junction Box + Bypass Diodes (Junction Box)
Junction Box + Bypass Diodes supplies Copper Wiring / Tabbing Ribbon (Copper Wiring/Ribbon)
Solar Cell (TOPCon/PERC) assembles Copper Wiring / Tabbing Ribbon (Copper Tabbing Ribbon)
Copper Wiring / Tabbing Ribbon refines Copper Refinery / Smelter (Copper cathode)
Copper Wiring / Tabbing Ribbon refines Copper Refinery (China) (Copper cathode)
Copper Refinery / Smelter sources from Copper Mine (Copper concentrate)
Copper Refinery (China) sources from Copper Mine (Copper concentrate)
Hanwha Q CELLS sources from Inbound Materials Logistics (Inbound logistics)
Inbound Materials Logistics supplies Solar-Grade Polysilicon (Imported polysilicon transit)
Inbound Materials Logistics supplies Low-Iron Solar Glass (front cover) (Imported glass transit)

Sources and methodology

Research-based supply-chain map compiled from public sources - not an audited bill of materials. Tiers reflect the standard industry structure for this product. Sourcing risk on a node describes where that input is typically mined or refined; it is not a FEOC determination for Hanwha Q CELLS, and it is not a screening result for the node itself unless a federal listing is cited against it. Verify against primary documentation before making a compliance determination.

Primary sources (4) - government, filings, standards bodies

Secondary sources (21) - trade press, analysts, reference works

Common questions

Where does Hanwha Q CELLS source the inputs in this product?: This map traces 39 inputs across 9 countries, including 15 mines and refiners. It is compiled from public sources and is not an audited bill of materials.
How much of the Hanwha Q CELLS supply chain sits in a covered nation?: 6 of 39 mapped inputs are sited in a covered nation (China, Russia, Iran or North Korea) or named on a federal restricted-party list. A further 13 carry elevated sourcing risk without either basis.
Is Hanwha Q CELLS itself a Foreign Entity of Concern?: No federal designation found. Hanwha Q Cells is not named on any of the 3 federal restricted-party lists screened for this record (DOD Section 1260H, BIS Entity List, OFAC SDN List), and South Korea is not a covered nation under the FEOC rules. Sourcing risk in this map describes where inputs are mined and refined and is a separate question from the company's own federal screening.

Federal list screening for Hanwha Q CELLS Open in workspace