Bye solar factory, hail world-class R&D powerhouse

Will GlasgowReporter

Updated Sep 29, 2011 – 11.00am, first published at Sep 20, 2011 – 12.01am

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For Australian solar industry enthusiasts, the recent announcement that solar cells maker Silex Systems is closing its Sydney plant is bad news. Silex is Australia’s only manufacturer of the cells for roof-top solar panels.

The reason cited for the closure of the Silex plant, as well as two US manufacturing concerns in the US, is competition from cheap Chinese solar cell imports.

Will Glasgow writes on News and Business. Based in our Sydney newsroom, Will is a Rear Window editor. Connect with Will on Twitter.