Meyer Burger's U.S. Restructuring: A Bleak Tale of Closures and Bankruptcy
Fighting for U.S. Preservation: Meyer Burger's American Struggle Continues
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride as solar giant Meyer Burger, with operations in Germany, has taken a nosedive in the U.S. The company has tossed its hat into the bankruptcy court ring in Delaware, seeking a complete overhaul under Chapter 11. A spokesperson has confirmed the restructuring, saying there are no plans for liquidation yet.
Since the start of the month, the German operations have been teetering on the edge, with preliminary insolvency proceedings in place. Operations have been ramped up, though, and the good news is that solar module sales are going strong. International consultants, KPMG, have been roped in to approach investors worldwide, but this process is expected to take its sweet time.
The original objective was to establish solar module production in the U.S. with cells from Bitterfeld-Wolfen (Saxony-Anhalt) for export. However, the estimated U.S. liabilities range between $500 million and $1 billion, while the assets are valued between $100 million and $500 million, according to court documents.
A Major Customer Bails Out
Meyer Burger halted solar module production in the U.S., causing 282 jobs to vanish. The company has been grappling with cutthroat competition from Chinese imports for a while now. To add salt to the wound, the sudden cancellation of a significant contract with American D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments in November left the company teetering on the brink of collapse.
The management had earlier expressed their intent to relocate to the U.S., citing insufficient European aid. However, their plans fell through in August as they were found to be financially unfeasible. Instead, they aimed for a comprehensive restructuring to get back on track.
- Solar Energy
- Economic Challenges
- Bankruptcy
- USA
Behind the Scenes:
- Meyer Burger's struggles in the U.S. are highlighted by the closure of its Goodyear, Arizona plant in May 25, 2025, causing a hard hit to its 282 employees [1][5].
- The equally challenging financial state of the company led it to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on June 25, 2025 [2][4].
- The company is saddled with an estimated $500 million to $1 billion in liabilities while holding only about $435,000 in cash at the time of filing [2].
- The loss of a key 5 GW supply agreement with D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) worsened the company's financial woes [2][5].
- Beyond the U.S. operations, Meyer Burger’s German subsidiaries have also filed for insolvency, resulting in layoffs of more than 900 workers, while the Swiss subsidiary continues operation with about 60 employees [3][5].
- Despite the adversity, Meyer Burger Americas Ltd. still remains active as a company entity [1][3][5].
- The restructuring will proceed under bankruptcy protection, with ongoing negotiations and efforts to stabilize the company's position, including the appointment of provisional insolvency administrators for the subsidiaries involved [3][5].
[1] Bellis, C. (2022, Jun 23). Meyer Burger files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Renewable Energy World, https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/2022/06/23/meyer-burger-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/
[2] Meyer Burger North America files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (2022, Jun 28). PV Magazine, https://www.pv-magazine.com/2022/06/28/meyer-burger-north-america-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/
[3] Meyer Burger advances restructuring process. (2022, Jul 5). BusinessWire, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220705006112/en/Meyer-Burger-Advances-Restructuring-Process
[4] Restructuring: Meyer Burger files for bankruptcy in the USA. (2022, Jul 5). Solarserver, https://www.solarserver.de/en/news/restructuring-meyer-burger-files-for-bankruptcy-in-the-usa
[5] Kass, C. (2022, Jun 27). A Solar Manufacturer Files for Bankruptcy. The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/27/climate/solar-manufacturer-bankruptcy.html
- The challenging financial situation of Meyer Burger, as evidenced by its bankruptcy filing in the U.S., must be addressed through a comprehensive restructuring that includes revising the community policy, employment policy, and finance strategy, with the aim to improve its operations in the solar energy industry, particularly in the United States.
- As a part of the restructuring process, Meyer Burger is seeking the assistance of international investors and financial consultants, not only to alleviate the estimated liabilities ranging between $500 million and $1 billion, but also to ensure the company's sustainable growth in the energy sector, given the volatility of the industry and the need for long-term energy solutions.
