Solar Panel Manufacturer in Australia to Stop Production

Solar panel manufacturer SilexSolar has recently decided to stop manufacturing in their Sydney facility located in Homebush Bay. SilexSolar, which also happens to be the only solar panel manufacturer in Australia, has decided to stop producing cells that go into their solar panels because the Chinese imports have affected their business. It could also be noted that the company feels it hasn’t been supported as much by the government. Furthermore, prices for solar panels have been decreasing. It is also held accountable for the current challenge that SilexSolar is facing.

This situation has affected all employees in the engineering, administrative, production, and technical departments. Also, the Homebush facility has been placed in care and maintenance mode. However, the company still has 20 employees, who are mostly in the sales and marketing department. According to Silex System Chief Executive Michael Goldsworthy, they are taking every step in analysing the issue. Results are expected in the following months. It is believed that SilexSolar still has more than enough products in their inventory for sales to be made in the next few months. Michael Goldsworthy also adds that it is ironic SilexSolar has suspended manufacturing of solar panels just when carbon price issues are going to be passed in law.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for the New South Wales Energy Minister mentioned, “It’s unusual Silex didn’t wait until IPART handed down its draft determination into a fair price for solar before announcing a suspension of activity – given the draft report is due to be released by the end of November”.

Meanwhile, a new solar panel company is expected to be fully operational this month. Tindo Solar will be producing solar panels in their Mawson Lakes facility. It is believed that they expect to manufacture about 250,000 solar panels each year.

Solar power in Australia is rapid growing business and its is predicted that most of the world’s power will be solar within 50 years. Leading retailers A1 Batterypro have had large increase in Solar Panels sales in the business year of 2011. Electricity prices are only going one way and with the growing fear of the world’s economy ,  expect another successful year for solar panel energy.