Press Release Hanwha Group Clean Energy & Ocean Solutions

Solar Panels Work in the Snow

March 12, 2014

©World Economic Forum (Source: Flickr/World Economic Forum)

The World Economic Forum, best known for its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, is an independent international organization that is committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. They meet here to exchange information and discuss pressing issues facing the world, including health and the environment.

In January 2013, Hanwha has agreed with the Municipality of Davos to install a photovoltaic system on the 1,000-square-meter rooftop of the Davos Congress Centre by 2014 followed by the adjoining swimming pool. Creating enough energy to replace more than 20 tons of CO2 emissions each year, the solar modules sponsored by Hanwha will help the municipality of Davos and the Forum take a big step toward a “Greener Davos" and a carbon-neutral future. According to a study done by Amstein+Walthert, the project engineer for the municipality of Davos, the installation will deliver 340 kWp-solar power generation, equivalent to the electricity consumption of seventy-five Swiss households.

Solar power can be even generated in a country like Switzerland, where it snows a lot. This is because Hanwha’s solar modules are made with industry-leading technologies, providing top performance in the harshest climates. They also offer triple protections against performance loss, preventing so-called “potential-induced degradation,” making forgeries impossible, and avoiding the dangerous hot spots that plague lower-quality solar panels.

Hanwha has carried out a host of activities to demonstrate the value and sustainability of new and renewable energy sources in action in every way. For example, Hanwha provided solar PV panels for the VISION House®, an experiential exhibit in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort, which will give visitors a practical look at green building technologies. The VISION House® is a large home with realistic living space and interior décor. Throughout the exhibit, visitors are encouraged to consider how they can reduce their personal impact on the planet, as well as changes they can implement in their own homes to make them more sustainable and durable. Hanwha’s solar modules are installed on the VISION House® roof and carport outside the VISION House®.

Hanwha also built a solar power plant in northern China in collaboration with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD) and the provincial government of Ningxia, China. This project is particularly meaningful since it is the first time that solar energy is being used to prevent desertification. The plant will power a 3,200-square-meter greenhouse in the Baijitan Nature Reserve of Lingwu City, located near the southwest edge of the Mu Us Desert.

Gemeinde Davos, Hanwha Q CELLS

Hanwha Qcells

Hanwha Qcells (Hanwha Solutions Qcells division) is one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, recognized for its established reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance, high-quality solar cells, and modules, a portfolio of intelligent storage systems, and a growing international pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects. Hanwha Qcells also provides renewable electricity retail services and packages to end customers the world over. The company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ) with its diverse international manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Malaysia, China, and South Korea. Hanwha Qcells strives to offer Completely Clean Energy through the full spectrum of photovoltaic products, storage solutions, renewable electricity contracting, and large-scale solar power plants. Through its growing global business network spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, Hanwha Qcells provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its customers in the utility, commercial, governmental, and residential markets.

For more information, visit: www.qcells.com/us/

Hanwha Group

Founded in 1952, Hanwha has grown quickly by anticipating and responding to changing business environments with a balanced business portfolio that includes energy & materials, aerospace, finance and retail & services. Our expertise and synergy in key areas have catapulted us into the seventh-largest business in South Korea and a Fortune Global 500 company. Hanwha continues to grow rapidly as we strive to pursue global leadership in all of our businesses. We are building a robust foundation for sustainable development and a brighter future for everyone.

For more information, visit: www.hanwha.com