From pv magazine Germany.
German thin-film solar module maker Solibro GmbH is set to file for insolvency, according to a report in the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
The management of the CIGS manufacturer informed its workforce about the plan by email on Wednesday, the Halle-based newspaper reported.
The company’s 221 employees, who have reportedly been in the dark about the company’s future for weeks told the newspaper they are ready to fight the matter. Labor union and the IG Metall trade union have already sought legal advice, according to Mitteldeutsche Zeitung.
Solibro is no stranger to controversy. Chinese thin film company Hanergy acquired the CIGS module maker from Q Cells in 2012 and by 2015 the new owner had started to cut staff hours in response to weak orders.
Hanergy told pv magazine Solibro GmbH has not been one of its subsidiaries since December 2015, but a statement from the Chinese manufacturer did not elaborate on how or why the disposal of the unit occurred.
Hanergy statement
“Recently, there has been some media [reporting related] to Solibro GmbH’s voluntary bankruptcy filing,” said the Hanergy statement. “Clearing our stance on this, we would like to go on record to share that since December 2015, Solibro GmbH has not been a subsidiary of our group company. We hereby confirm that Solibro GmbH filing for insolvency will not affect our group company and its subsidiaries [which do include Solibro Hi-Tech GmbH and Solibro Research AB] in any way.”
Solibro GmbH has an annual production capacity of just 145 MW according to the German business.
The company has not responded to pv magazine’s requests to confirm it will file for insolvency.
This article was amended on 23/08/19 to add Hanergy’s statement and to remove references to Solibro GmbH being a subsidiary of Hanergy.
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