I was very surprised to see this morning news splattered across many TV stations in the bay area that Solyndra has shuttered it's doors.
I pass this facility on 880 twice a week on my way to work in Mountain View (That is another story, burning gas to save bridge toll and traffic) and always remember how President Obama visited the facility and placed and encouraged hopes on job creation, solar technology, Cleaner environment and American innovation.
Those hopes and livelihood of 1,100 people are on the rocks. Company has not provided any information to employees but later released a press release stating;
August 31, 2011 11:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time
FREMONT, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Solyndra LLC, the American manufacturer of innovative cylindrical solar systems for commercial rooftops, today announced that global economic and solar industry market conditions have forced the Company to suspend its manufacturing operations. Solyndra intends to file a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code while it evaluates options, including a sale of the business and licensing of its advanced CIGS technology and manufacturing expertise. As a result of the suspension of operations approximately 1,100 full-time and temporary employees are being laid off effective immediately.
Despite strong growth in the first half of 2011 and traction in North America with a number of orders for very large commercial rooftops, Solyndra could not achieve full-scale operations rapidly enough to compete in the near term with the resources of larger foreign manufacturers. This competitive challenge was exacerbated by a global oversupply of solar panels and a severe compression of prices that in part resulted from uncertainty in governmental incentive programs in Europe and the decline in credit markets that finance solar systems.
“We are incredibly proud of our employees, and we would like to thank our investors, channel partners, customers and suppliers, for the years of support that allowed us to bring our innovative technology to market. Distributed rooftop solar power makes sense, and our customers clearly recognize the advantages of Solyndra systems,” said Solyndra’s president and CEO, Brian Harrison. “Regulatory and policy uncertainties in recent months created significant near-term excess supply and price erosion. Raising incremental capital in this environment was not possible. This was an unexpected outcome and is most unfortunate.”
Customers who have implemented Solyndra solutions can be assured that their systems will generate economical, clean, solar power for decades.
Contacts
Solyndra
Dave Miller, Director Corporate Communications, 510-440-2979
