Kyocera Solar plans San Diego layoffs

Manufacturer Kyocera Solar is planning to lay off staff at its manufacturing plant in San Diego, California, because of weak demand for US-made solar modules.

According to local media reports, the subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Kyocera is struggling with large orders for its modules and has responded by slimming down its workforce.

In a statement to local newspaper U-T San Diego, Cecilia Aguillon, director of government relations for Kyocera Solar, said the reductions would affect 23 staff, while a further 85 temporary positions would be filled by an external agency.

Aguillon said the company was “working very hard” to secure new orders, but added that failure to secure significant new business would result in the company shifting the focus of its operations to its plant in Tijuana, Mexico.

Overall Kyocera’s module business is performing well, with the PV boom in Japan cited as the main factor behind strong sales figures reported earlier this week.