Bosch Solar to close thin-film modules facility in Erfurt - report

Dec 13, 2012 - Photovoltaics (PV) equipment maker Bosch Solar Energy AG will shut down its plant for thin-film silicon modules in Erfurt, Germany, at the end of 2012, news agency dpa reported yesterday, citing a company spokesperson.

Back in August Bosch indicated intentions to close the facility, prompted by decreasing PV prices, global oversupply and cuts in feed-in tariffs for large solar plants in Germany. Furthermore, the move is in line with the company’s plan to focus on crystalline PV production in Arnstadt and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) module development in Brandenburg.

The closure in Erfurt will impact 130 workers, half of whom will be relocated to Arnstadt, Thuringia, while the rest will be offered compensations.

It is still unclear whether Bosch will resort to pulling out of the PV industry completely, the news agency further said. A decision is expected by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, according to the report, the state of Thuringia is examining options to promote the marketing of local PV products and improve conditions for PV manufacturers.

In 2011, Bosch suffered an operating loss of EUR 364 million (USD 475m) in its industrial technology segment, which includes the PV business.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.305)

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