Swiss solar technology firm Meyer Burger embarked on an ambitious strategy to establish a significant manufacturing footprint in the United States, centered around high-efficiency heterojunction technology. However, these plans for accelerated growth have since met with significant financial headwinds, leading to a major corporate restructuring and a dramatic pivot away from the initial expansion goals.
Ambitious Plans and Meyer Burger Accelerates US Expansion for Solar Manufacturing
The company’s U.S. strategy initially included two key projects: a module assembly plant in Goodyear, Arizona, and a large-scale solar cell facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Goodyear facility commenced operations in June 2024 with a 1.4 GW capacity, with initial plans to expand to 2 GW, supported by agreements with partners like Ingka Investments and BayWa r.e. However, this expansion was ultimately suspended.
More critically, Meyer Burger formally canceled its plans to build a 2 GW solar cell manufacturing plant in Colorado Springs. The company cited financial unviability as the primary reason for scrapping the project, marking a significant reversal of its U.S. domestic supply chain ambitions.
Restructuring and Strategic Shifts for Meyer Burger Accelerates US Expansion for Solar Manufacturing
Faced with mounting financial pressure, Meyer Burger announced a broad restructuring. The company shifted its focus to prioritizing its existing cell production facility in Thalheim, Germany, as the most economically viable source for its U.S.-assembled solar modules. This move signaled a departure from creating a fully vertical U.S. supply chain.
The operational changes culminated in workforce layoffs at the Arizona factory in May 2025 and the eventual confirmation that module production at the site would end. The company’s German subsidiary filed for insolvency, and Meyer Burger later sought Chapter 11 protection, leading to the sale of key assets. In one notable transaction, U.S.-based Solestial acquired manufacturing equipment from Meyer Burger to strengthen its own domestic solar production. Rather than accelerating its own expansion, Meyer Burger’s initial U.S. venture concluded with a significant scaling back of its operations.
Sources
- Meyer Burger: Solar Pioneer’s $29M Liquidation – ElevenFlo
- Solestial Acquires Meyer Burger Equipment to Strengthen US …
- Solestial Buys Meyer Burger Equipment & Moves Cell Production To …
- Solar module manufacturer expanding Valley production after …
- Solestial acquires Meyer Burger equipment to scale up in U.S.
- Meyer Burger scraps Colorado solar cell plant expansion
- Meyer Burger cancels US solar cell plant, announces restructuring
- Meyer Burger confirms end of Arizona module production – PV Tech
- Meyer Burger lays off workforce at Arizona solar panel factory