Sanyo closing California solar plant, Salem unaffected

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Sanyo's Salem manufacturing plant isn't likely to be affected by a plant closure in California.

Sanyo's solar division is closing a silicon wafer and ingot manufacturing facility in Carson, Calif., laying off 140 workers, company officials confirmed Monday.

But a spokesman said the move doesn't portend a similar fate for the company's 200-employee manufacturing operation in Salem.

"It doesn't change anything for Salem at all," said Aaron Fowles, a Sanyo spokesman.

Fowles said the California plant was using old machines to make an old-style of solar components.

"The ones we make in Oregon are the newer style," Fowles said.

The layoff amounts to about 40 percent of Sanyo Solar's U.S. solar manufacturing workforce.

Sanyo's solar division, part of Panasonic, will become part of Panasonic's Eco Solutions Company of North America on starting this spring.

Sanyo Solar has been supportive of Portland's Oregon Sustainability Center initiative. If construction of that building moves forward, it will likely feature Panasonic branded solar panels.

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