By Cathy Dobson, The Observer
A major layoff announced Friday by parent company OptiSolar Inc. does not impact the Sarnia workforce, says Peter Carrie, vice-president of the company constructing a solar energy farm in Sarnia.
Eighteen people employed locally by OptiSolar Farms Canada Inc. are not affected by the U. S. parent company’s decision to laying off half its staff, he said.
However, the construction schedule for the farm has slowed considerably. The 10-megawatt first phase was expected to be connected to the grid by the end of 2008. So far panel generating less than 1.5 megawatts have been connected and are delivering electricity via Bluewater Power to the grid on a trial basis, Carrie said. He blamed the slowdown in production on poor weather conditions, saying the delays have nothing to do with the economy.
The rest of the first phase is expected to be connected over the next few months. Carrie said an official announcement of completion will likely be issued in February or March.
Last fall, Carrie said he anticipated work on the second phase of the Sarnia farm would be underway by now, but a statement from OptiSolar Inc. spokesman Alan Bernheimer on Friday suggested only the first 10 megawatt phase of the 60-megawatt farm will be complete by the end of 2009.
“Obviously, the recession and disruption of the capital market affects our main plant in Sacramento, and unfortunately we’ve had to lay people off there,” Carrie said.
The layoff of 300 people in the U. S. includes 105 staff at OptiSolar’s photovoltaic panel assembly plant and the rest at its other California operations.
“It’s the awful economy and the fact we’re unable to access investment funding to support our growth,” said Bernheimer.
OptiSolar is building North America’s largest solar farm on 445 hectares in the city’s southeast end, bordered by Churchill Line, Highway 40, Confederation Street and Blackwell Sideroad.
The company has also said it wants to build a 10-megawatt farm near Petrolia.
That project is still being pursued, Carrie said. “We expect to go for municipal and county approval soon.”
Observer Article ID# 1382172
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