Solar company’s 800 Hillsboro workers get layoff warning

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A global solar energy company without enough money to pay its debt in the U.S. has sent letters to all 800 employees at its plant in Hillsboro, saying a mass layoff or plant closure could be coming within the next two months.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (http://bit.ly/2q8py3X ) SolarWorld AG sent the letters this past weekend after it just last week said operations would continue as normal.

SolarWorld spokesman Ben Santarris says the company will continue to work with suppliers and customers to determine what the size of the company should be moving forward.

The Germany-based company declared insolvency in Germany – similar to bankruptcy – on May 10.

SolarWorld and other U.S. solar manufacturers have been under considerable pressure for years due to cheaper products being offered in China.