Despite challenges solar industry thrives in New Mexico

KUNM

New Mexico has a long history of leading solar development. This continues to be true, despite the closure of Schott Solar earlier this summer. A new company hopes to start manufacturing again at the Schott plant. It faces significant challenges from offshore competitors. But there are many other companies in the solar industry here that are finding success.

The vast Schott facility had fewer than 40 cars in the parking lot on a recent afternoon — the last of 250 employees laid off by the solar panel manufacturer at its 200,00-square-foot plant south of Albuquerque where operations are winding down.