Hemlock sues GET over breach of polysilicon supply deal

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Solar polysilicon manufacturer Hemlock Semiconductor has filed a US$737 million lawsuit against Green Energy Technology (GET) over an alleged breach of a long-term supply agreement.  

Hemlock claims GET, a Taiwan-based wafer manufacturer, defaulted on a down payment relating to a contract the two companies agreed in 2011 and failed to place orders it had committed to under the same deal.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

According to court papers seen by PV Tech, Hemlock Semiconducter agreed to supply GET with polysilicon manufactured at its plant in Michigan, US, up to 2020.

In return GET agreed to pay a US$81.5 million advance payment in installments. But after making its first payment, Hemlock alleges GET failed to make six subsequent monthly installments, amounting to US$46,047,500 – claims Hemlock says GET later acknowledged in correspondence.

Hemlock claims GET also defaulted on an installment in January 2013 worth US$16.3 million.

In addition to failing to meet its advance payment obligations, Hemlock maintains GET failed to order and pay for certain quantities of product it had agreed to purchase in 2013.

As a result Hemlock terminated its supply agreement with GET on 13 August, demanding payment of all amounts under the contract, totalling US$737,235,429.17.

In its lawsuit against GET with a circuit court in Saginaw County, Michigan on 14 August, Hemlock is seeking damages not less than US$62,347,500.

PV Tech was unable to reach GET for comment. Earlier this year GET reported that its wafer production utilisation was running at 95% capacity.

Read Next

September 15, 2025
Advances in edge-based artificial intelligence are helping make solar and storage interoperable by tackling the data challenge, writes Andrew Foster.
September 15, 2025
Italy’s latest renewable energy tender has received 12GW of bids, of which the majority, 10GW, came from solar PV.
September 15, 2025
Sunrun has priced a securitisation of leases and power purchase agreements, taking its non-recourse debt capital raised in Q3 above US$1.5 billion. 
September 15, 2025
Norwegian energy firm Statkraft has agreed to divest a portion of its renewable energy portfolio to Serentica Renewables.
September 15, 2025
UNSW spin-out company Lab360 Solar has been awarded funding from ARENA to bring its drone-based PV inspection technology to market.
Premium
September 15, 2025
The UK government and solar industry have jointly published a long-anticipated roadmap detailing how to maximise the country’s solar potential. Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK takes a closer look at the details.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines