Job Spectrum

Even as the usage of solar energy to power houses, offices and other buildings increases, the price of making panels and other clobber is still high in the U.S. It was that cost that led on to the shutdown of producing at BP Solar in Frederick on Fri. and the sackings of 320 staff. The site, opened in 1981, had once employed more than 5 hundred, turning silicon into wafers and then assembling them into solar energy panels.

The world market has taken a heavy toll, recounted Reyad Fezzani, BP Solar Boss . The company is moving production to other states.

"There's a requirement for the product all over the world, " Fezzani recounted Fri. in a phone interview from the firm's HQ in California. "we'll do that at lower-cost locations, thru a variety of third party makers.We have a joint cooperation with some in India and China.

" The Chief Executive Officer recounted the choice to finish production at the Frederick site, renowned for a roof stuffed with solar energy panels that's apparent from I-70, was "really tricky for us. We extremely regret what the choice will have on Frederick employees.

" The plant's producing gear will be sold or decommissioned, Fezzani declared. About 110 workers will stay at the building on Solarex Court, working in sales, promoting, business support, and research and development. State and Fed leaders attempted to help BP Solar, it was not enough to beat market conditions. last year Maryland's congressional delegation worked to secure about $eleven million in Fed impulse tax subsidies for BP Solar

But even that wasn't enough, since the plan was for BP to invest about $22 million as an element of the impulse deal, asserted Delegate Sue Hecht, a Frederick Left winger who had advocated for the deal. "What they exclaimed yesterday evening was when they relooked it, the market had modified so significantly that they just could not make it work, " Hecht recounted. The company won't be receiving those credits. Gov. Martin O'Malley directed state fast response groups to straight away begin reaching out to laid-off employees.

"While Maryland's rate of unemployment remains below the nation's average, today's statement is a reminder for everyone that families in our state aren't immune to the world industrial downturn, " O'Malley claimed. Staff in Frederick will be given a quarter' pay and benefits, as well as severance and outplacement benefits.

"Our most important consideration is for the 320 workers and the town and county's Workforce Services stand prepared to help in re-employment, " asserted Richard Griffin, director of the city's Office of Business Development. "BP Solar has been an entrenched employer in the city, the facility has been a source of pride for the community. I'm optimistic we will be able to keep the RD center and have a presence in the community.

" Laurie Holden, director of Workforce Services, announced her staff was prepared, regardless of whether a BP Solar worker walked in the door on Fri. "we have set up 6 days over the next 3 weeks to meet up with them telling them the easy way to file for unemployment and our re-employment services, " Holden expounded.

This is the second-biggest layoff her office has handled. The largest was the closure of Alcoa Eastalco Works with over six hundred jobless employees. Holden asserted she has spoken with officers at the Maryland Department of Work , Licensing and Regulation on potential funding to add transient staff to help handle displaced employees.

Bernie Kohn, spokesman for the dept, asserted its fast response Team would be in Frederick for the following 3 weeks helping BP Solar staff who were made redundant.

Laurie Boyer, director of the county's Office of Business Development, announced her most serious concern is also the displaced workers. But she revealed she understands the industrial pressures faced by a world company.

"BP Solar is contesting with firms with costs ( that are ) a lot lower, " Boyer announced. "I know it had been a tricky call for BP Solar, but I am hoping it makes the company stronger to challenge in the world market. As the market grows, that would mean the corporation's RD will grow.

" Fezzani expounded the price of production is a worldwide issue, not just local, and complimented the town, county and state for their support of BP Solar over time. "We shut down plants in Australia and Spain, " Fezzani related.

The corporation's goal is to see more solar power systems employed, he announced, but to do the cost must come down for the customer.He declared the company envisions a fifty percentage increase in expansion this year, but that's thru production at lower price.