SolarWorld, one of the solar industries most recognizable brands, created waves when SolarWorld AG and its German subsidiaries announced their insolvency on May 10 ^th. The company largely attributes their dramatic decrease in profits to the continued “Ongoing Price Erosion” caused in their view by Chinese solar panel manufacturers. In the past, the company has been very vocal regarding regulatory policies that would ensure that Chinese “dumping” of panels would be banned and/or heavily tariffed to level the competitive field of solar panel production. However, with continued competition from Chinese manufacturing companies, the company made the hard financial decision to file for insolvency.

In the United States, concern was primarily focused on the continued production of SolarWorld solar panels, and what this would mean for the American branch of the company. Although there were a few days of nail biting silence, SolarWorld America announced that they will be continuing production from their facility in Hillsboro, Oregon. Globally, SolarWorld had a total of just over three thousand employees at the end of 2016, eight hundred of those employees operate through SolarWorld Americas. It is currently unclear how many jobs will be held outside of America, however the company has made it clear that they will try to maintain as many jobs as possible. We may see some of the displaced workers moving to SolarWorld Americas, which my assist the company in faster production and technology advances. Only time will tell how the employees and company will fair, but the confidence of SolarWorld Americas continued operations appears stable.

*SolarWorld Manufacturing Facility

In an announcement via their website, SolarWorld Americas Inc., the company said that they will continue full operations as usual, and that they will not be a part of the insolvency proceedings of SolarWorld AG. The president of SolarWorld, Juergen Stein, said “We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of our loyal customers in the Americas at this tumultuous time for the solar industry. Together, we are thriving to maintain our leadership role in the U.S. solar manufacturing industry.” Backed by 42 years in the solar industry, the future of the company is in good hands with the American branch who appear to be more motivated than ever before to move the solar industry forward and provide cutting edge technology to improve efficiencies and the quality of cell technology.

In addition to the positive news that SolarWorld America will continue their manufacturing of solar panels, they have also confirmed that they will stand by their 25-year warranty. Although the continuation of their warranty is a logical presumption to make, the announcement from the company provides a strong message regarding their confidence in their continued success. SolarWorld has also announced that they will be providing new lines of panels with new and enhanced technologies. In addition, another positive indication of their dedication to the solar community is stabilization of their manufacturing and processing procedures. Over the last six months the solar community has seen SolarWorld produce and discontinue numerous product lines, as well as provide months long lead times for restocking panels. However, the company has met their promise to have their manufacturing procedures on track for Summer of 2017. Currently, their production and delivery is on track which is welcome to both the solar industry and consumer alike.