Solyndra, which has filed for chapter 11 protection in the states, is well known for its cylindrical module designed to capture sunlight across its 360-degree photovoltaic surface.

More than 1,000 staff were made redundant from the company’s California base yesterday (August 31), by the company which was praised by US president Barack Obama when he toured its factory Fab 2 last year.

Solar power has been a bright spot in an otherwise dull US economy but Solyndra has been unable to capitalise on it.

The company joins fellow solar stalwart Evergreen Solar which blamed cheaper Chinese imports for its decision to go chapter 11 last month.

A brief statement by the company said the decision was the ‘unexpected outcome’ and ‘most unfortunate’.

While Solyndra products had a global reach the news is unlikely to impact on the UK industry according to one firm who uses their panels.

Milton Keynes based Renewable Resources Energy Solutions supplied Solyndra’s cylindrical panels mainly for industrial use on commercial rooftops.

A spokeswoman told edie.net: “It won’t affect us at all it will be business as usual.

“Solyndra is just one of our many suppliers and we had not been in contact with them for a while before this news.”

Luke Walsh

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