Reviewed – Solyndra Solar Panels

Solyndra made the headlines twice this year first by unveiling its revolutionary tubular CIGS solar panels, which actually looked amazing and were described as such by many different sector companies and organisations, and then by going bankrupt sparking a clamour, alongside fellow US solar PV company Evergreen, about the sluggishness of the US economy and the threat from Chinese solar PV companies. Solyndra is also under investigation with regards to the $535 million loan guarantee it received directly from the US government. So the question is, what is happening with it now?

The company is up for sale and investors will have until November 16th to submit an offer. At the moment it seems there are 25 potential bidders, so we could see the resurgence of those tubular panels in the future, although not just yet. However, it does not seem likely that the Chinese will be producing them since the government has moved to block the sale of US patents, especially those covered by government loan guarantees, to Chinese companies.

It is unlikely that you will see any more of those tubular panels in the immediate future since the company shut down its production in August. That’s a shame because the panel system was considered to be truly innovative by MIT among others. At the moment however all the conversation is focused on the economic scandal and the FBI investigation. All we can hope for then is that some reliable, probably non-Chinese business, snaps up the company. Until then it’s just a question of ‘watch this space’.