Historically, Germany-based Q Cells was heavily reliant on the European market.

Since its 2012 bankruptcy and subsequent acquisition by South Korea’s Hanwha Chemicals, much of its attention has shifted to the Japanese market, which has boomed over the past two years even as the European market sank, and where Q Cells’ German roots gives it an advantage over Chinese rivals.

But fresh off the announcement that the company will add 800MW of module capacity at its existing plant in Malaysia, “the emphasis is being shifted to what is now the big new market – and that’s the United States”, says Alan King, vice president of sales at Hanwha Q Cells USA.

Q Cells has long been present in the US, but until recently...