Schott close to leasing out solar plant

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - When Schott Solar opened the doors of its Albuquerque plant at Mesa del Sol in 2009 there was no shortage of optimism.

Although the German-based company only started out with about 350 workers in Albuquerque, the expectations were that about 1,500 would ultimately work at the 200,000 square foot facility.

"Ultimately it's about the market for solar products expanding in the United States," said Mac Moore with Schott Solar in May at the plant's grand opening. "As that market grows we will expand this facility to meet the demand of the [United States] market."

But because of a tough global solar market, Schott announced in late June it was shutting down in Albuquerque. That left 250 people out of a job and the state out about $16 million in tax incentive s paid to bring Schott  to the state in the first place.

Those jobs may be coming back though.

A Schott Solar spokesperson tells KRQE News 13 the company is finalizing a deal that would allow a new company to effectively take over Schott's lease.

Monday morning, the New Mexico Finance Authority approved changes to the deal it had with Schott to pave the way for a new firm to come in. Marquita Russel, the NMFA's chief of programs, wrote News 13 in an email saying the deal may have to be modified again as final negotiations wrap up.

The state, city, NMFA, Mesa del Sol and Schott Solar could not or would not disclose the other company involved in the deal.