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In response to what it calls "the challenging market environment for the solar industry" and subsequent buildup in its inventories in the 1Q, REC Solar has decided to slash its 2Q production of solar PV cells and modules by nearly 50%.

As a result of the move, the company said that approximately 180 employees will be affected through terminations of temporary employment contracts, temporary lay-offs of permanent employees, and rescheduled vacations.
 
As long as there is "good contract coverage," REC also said it does not expect changes to the production of cells and modules in the 3Q and 4Q.

The decision comes on the heels of news of more production difficulties--and subsequent plant shutdown--at the REC Silicon unit's new polysilicon factory, which is ramping in Moses Lake, WA.

The company plans to offer updates during its April 29 announcement of its first-quarter results.