QSM Group to outline U.S. wafer manufacturing push at Solar Manufacturing USA 2026

Graphene & Solar Technologies Limited, operating as QSM Group, will present its California silicon wafer ramp-up and domestic supply-chain plans at the Solar Manufacturing USA 2026 Conference in Austin on Sept. 22-23. The appearance comes as U.S. solar manufacturers face pressure to scale reliable upstream production while module capacity expands quickly.

Why it matters: - QSM Group is positioning its U.S. wafer strategy in front of the solar manufacturing industry as domestic supply-chain security becomes a bigger priority. - Wafer-slicing capacity remains a bottleneck in the U.S. silicon-based solar value chain. - The conference could help QSM Group build visibility with customers, investors and partners as the company advances its manufacturing plans.

What happened: - Graphene & Solar Technologies Limited, which operates globally under the Quartz & Silicon Materials Group brand, said QSM Group will present at the inaugural Solar Manufacturing USA 2026 Conference in Austin, Texas. - The conference runs Sept. 22-23. - Jason May, executive chairman and CEO of GSTX and QSM Group, will outline the company’s California-based silicon wafer manufacturing ramp-up and technology roadmap. - QSM Group management will also be available for one-on-one meetings during the conference.

The details: - Finlay Colville, founder of Terawatt PV Research and a conference co-host, said wafer-slicing capacity is a major bottleneck in the upstream U.S. silicon value chain. - Colville also said Graphene & Solar Technologies is one of the few companies advancing new wafer manufacturing plans in the U.S. - May said recent federal trade measures involving polysilicon and derivative solar products highlight the national focus on strengthening domestic supply chains. - May said rapid growth in U.S. module manufacturing is increasing the industry’s focus on execution, reliability and competitiveness. - SEIA said U.S. module manufacturing capacity grew more than 50% in 2025, reaching 65.5 GW online from 42.5 GW at the end of 2024. - Solar Manufacturing USA 2026 is focused on factory execution, equipment, materials, process flows, technology selection, operating economics and long-term manufacturing strategy. - The two-day event is expected to bring together manufacturers, equipment and materials suppliers, buyers, investors, R&D institutions and other participants across the U.S. solar manufacturing value chain. - GSTX is headquartered in Phoenix and listed on the OTCID Basic Market under the symbol GSTX. - The company said its U.S.-based QSM subsidiary is an entrant in the U.S. solar materials industry focused on supporting domestic solar manufacturing with an integrated, resilient supply chain. - GSTX said its subsidiaries are located in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. - The company said the subsidiaries are led by teams with experience in solar, semiconductor and quartz manufacturing. - The company said more information is available at the company's website.

Between the lines: - QSM Group is using the conference to signal that its wafer plan fits a broader policy and industry shift toward domestic production. - The emphasis on bankable supply chains suggests the U.S. solar market is moving from capacity expansion to proving consistent output and execution. - The conference placement also gives QSM Group a platform among the exact audience that would matter for future commercial and financing conversations.

What's next: - May is expected to present the company’s wafer manufacturing roadmap at the Austin conference. - GSTX said its management team will use the event to discuss progress with customers, investors and partners. - The company’s forward-looking disclosures indicate its U.S. manufacturing plans, capital-formation efforts and related timelines remain subject to execution and financing risks.

The bottom line: - QSM Group is trying to establish itself as a domestic wafer manufacturing contender at a moment when U.S. solar policy and supply-chain planning are pushing upstream production into the spotlight.