I was surprised and curious when hearing the presentation of the Solyndra CEO at a green energy forum held by Fremont Chamber of Commerce in October 2010. Solyndra CEO Speech appeared a lingering direction to drive the company business and grow revenue, and to achieve the green energy goals set forth by the Fremont City for the period 2010-2020. My curiosity led to an extensive research of the U.S. solar industry and the solar competition landscape in the California. I sketched the Solyndra - SWOT analysis in one sheet of paper- that outlined the potential threats of the Solyndra\’s going concern under fierce competition of China Solar manufacturers in the homeland of this U.S. company. One year later, Solyndra filed bankruptcy in September 2011 that stunned the public!!

1. SOLYNDRA SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHES: OPPORTUNITIES
 CIGS new technology can be deposited on glass and  Promising green industry
flexible materials.  Solar industry growth at 31% during the period 2001-08.
 Robot /automated plan  Consolidation opportunity to acquire small solar
companies.
 Non-Silicon Thin-Film Technology CIGS will govern the
future growth
WEAKNESSES THREATS:
 CIGS is less efficient at converting sunlight into Tough Chinese Solar Competition
electricity.
 Paucity of capital in US due to economic crisis affects.  Chinese Government enormous subsidies, low interest
 Pay back of CIGS is lower than conventional solar thin loan, cheap labor, economics of scale.
film  Ten of billions of dollars in inexpensive credit for solar
 Facing technological challenge that requires industry in China
innovation of specialized manufacturing equipment  Chinese cheap price with economic of scale (JA Solar /China
to achieve a mass scale output. with 1.8 gigawatts capacity versus Solyndar /US with 300
 Solar photovoltaic (PV) costs about $7 per watt (for megawatts)
residential-sized systems).  Cheap conventional thin film solar versus CIGS /Solyndra
 Solar incentive program has been short term and  Rapid rise of low-cost Chinese manufacturers
intermittent compared to those of the fossil fuel  Chinese solar panel makers earns 40% market share in
industry. California and European markets.
Other Competition:
 Legacy fossil fuel energy industry and other alternate green
energy industries.
 Global economic crisis
 Credit crunch
CKH/10-2010