Solar PV cell and module ribbon interconnect supplier Ulbrich Solar Technologies has closed its production operations in Hillsboro Oregon, due to operating difficulties of SolarWorld Americas after parent company SolarWorld AG went into insolvency proceedings. 

Local reports noted that the Ulbrich’s ribbon plant closed down on Friday 4th of August with potentially the loss of around 35 jobs. 

Only this week and further confirmations today have been made by former founder and chairman of SolarWorld AG, Dr. Ing. Eh Frank Asbeck that he had purchased and the courts approved his new company, SolarWorld Industries GmbH had acquired the manufacturing and R&D operations, SolarWorld Industries Sachsen GmbH, SolarWorld Innovations GmbH as well as SolarWorld Industries Thüringen GmbH.

Asbeck confirmed that Qatar Solar Technologies, a subsidiary of the not-for-profit Qatar Foundation was a shareholder with Asbeck in the new entity. 

SolarWorld Americas was attempting to operate in some capacity while its parent company and all its German subsidiaries went into bankruptcy and had previously stated that it would be receiving funds from SolarWorld AG investors. 

The decision by Ulbrich to close the plant supporting SolarWorld Americas manufacturing operations could potentially indicate production may have stopped, due to lack of recent financial support. 

Although Asbeck highlighted that production in Germany would restart next week, saving over 500 jobs, he did not mention SolarWorld Americas in a statement.