Rumors are circulating in the solar industry that Hanwha Q-Cells is preparing to withdraw from the market and shut down operations by early 2027. The speculation has been fueled by reports of the company’s products being sold at unusually low prices.

In response to an inquiry from pv magazine, a company spokesperson firmly denied the rumors. “Q-Cells is not ceasing its operations in Europe,” he said. However, the spokesperson confirmed that, following “ongoing reviews and close monitoring of its subsidiaries,” parent company Hanwha Q-Cells has decided to refocus its German subsidiary exclusively on its core business.

Hanwha Q-Cells GmbH’s core business in Europe is research and development (R&D). “This decision involves a restructuring,” the spokesperson said. Although he initially declined to provide further details, he confirmed that “the restructuring will, however, result in some job losses within the sales and business development departments.”

Hanwha Q Cells also recently announced its involvement in a new German research project focused on space photovoltaics. The spokesperson said the company is expanding its R&D workforce.

The market speculation extends beyond the company’s German and European operations, with rumors suggesting that Hanwha Q-Cells could withdraw from PV manufacturing altogether. The spokesperson also rejected these claims.

“In its core business areas—research and development, as well as the production of solar cells and modules—Q-Cells is guided by global market interests and economic factors,” he said. “All other regions, including the U.S. operations you asked about, remain unchanged.”

Just over a year ago, Hanwha Q-Cells announced that it would discontinue direct sales of residential PV systems in Germany and instead rely exclusively on its network of approximately 1,000 authorized partners. At the time, the company cited weak demand in Germany’s residential solar market as the reason for the decision.

The move also resulted in job cuts, although Q-Cells declined to disclose how many positions were affected.

The sales division now facing closure is based in Berlin, while Hanwha Q-Cells’ German R&D center is located in Bitterfeld-Wolfen.