US Power teams with Qcells on factory-direct solar for California homeowners

US Power says it is deepening its factory-direct relationship with Qcells to give California homeowners access to U.S.-assembled solar panels at lower system prices and with stronger warranty coverage. The move comes as Qcells expands its U.S. manufacturing base and as installers compete on price, supply reliability and equipment origin.

Why it matters: - US Power is betting that California homeowners will pay attention to where solar panels are made, who backs the warranty and how many layers sit between the manufacturer and the installer. - The factory-direct model is designed to cut third-party markups, improve quality control and shorten delivery timelines. - The approach also gives US Power a way to compete with larger national installers on price and product quality.

What happened: - US Power reaffirmed its role as a Factory Direct Representative of Qcells, one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers. - The arrangement gives California homeowners access to Tier-1 solar panel technology without added costs from third-party distributors. - US Power said the partnership lets the company source Qcells panels directly and pass savings to homeowners through lower system pricing and stronger warranty coverage. - Erik Sords, senior energy consultant at US Power, said the direct setup makes the company “one team from start to finish.” - Homeowners can request a free estimate at uspowersolar.com.

The details: - Qcells panels installed by Axia by Qcells through US Power carry manufacturer warranties designed to perform for 25 years or more. - US Power says its consultants walk homeowners through warranty terms, equipment specifications and financing options during the initial consultation. - The company says it does not push a single standardized package. - Qcells’ Dalton, Georgia, facility opened in 2019 and finished a capacity expansion in 2023. - The Dalton plant now produces more than 5.1 gigawatts of solar modules a year. - Qcells also brought its Cartersville, Georgia, facility into production. - Qcells says the Cartersville plant is the first U.S. factory built to manufacture ingots, wafers, cells and finished modules under one roof. - Combined, the two Georgia plants are expected to reach about 8.6 gigawatts of annual module capacity, or roughly 47,000 panels a day. - Qcells says that output is enough to supply an estimated 1.3 million U.S. homes with electricity each year. - SEIA has reported that U.S. solar module manufacturing capacity has grown from roughly 8 gigawatts to nearly 70 gigawatts since 2022, helped by federal manufacturing incentives. - US Power says many competitors still rely on imported panels exposed to tariff and supply chain volatility. - US Power says the factory-direct model is now central to its pitch in California, Texas, Florida and Illinois. - The company says it has completed more than 500 solar and roofing installations in California, mostly in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Irvine, Riverside, Pasadena and Ventura. - US Power says it has recently extended the factory-direct model into its three newest markets.

Between the lines: - The announcement is as much about supply-chain positioning as it is about solar sales. - US Power is trying to make manufacturer access a selling point, not just panel price. - The message to homeowners is that direct sourcing may reduce risk if a reseller or installer disappears. - Qcells’ expanding U.S. manufacturing footprint gives the partnership a domestic-production story that resonates with buyers weighing tariffs, origin and long-term support.

What's next: - US Power will keep pitching factory-direct Qcells systems to homeowners in California and in its other key markets. - The company expects consumer questions about panel origin, warranty backing and installer accountability to keep shaping solar buying decisions. - Homeowners can learn more about the systems and request estimates through the company’s website.

The bottom line: - US Power is using its direct line to Qcells to sell California homeowners on lower costs, tighter quality control and U.S.-assembled panels backed by a manufacturer warranty.