German-based solar company Solon SE will stop producing photovoltaic modules at its Tucson, Ariz., facility and will instead focus on commercial and utility-scale turnkey solutions. The news came after Solon reported earnings for the first half of 2011 that were lower than expected.

“Solon Corporation announced our new US operations strategy to better position ourselves to advance our market leadership in the commercial and utility-scale sectors in response to a dynamic, fast-changing solar market,” said Solon spokesperson Patricia Browne. “Where Solon is positioned for growth is in leveraging our innovations as a system-solutions provider in the commercial and utility-scale growth markets in the U.S.”

Solon will still manufacture modules in Asia and Europe, according to Browne.

“And these will continue to meet Solon specs, performance, and quality standards for the U.S. market,” she said.

The company will cut nearly half the positions at the Tucson facility.

“The phase out of module assembly in Tucson will result in the elimination of approximately 60 jobs out of 130 positions at the facility,” the company said in a press release.

The facility will retain sales and marketing, engineering, R&D, project management, finance, and other support functions, according to the company.

“Solon has a unique North American Outdoor Testing Facility in Tucson where we conduct testing on next generation component, tracking, and systems integration,” Browne said.

Among other things being tested in the U.S. are utility-scale solar energy storage systems.

“Most recently Solon is working with Tucson Electric Power and AZRise on our energy SMRT site—a utility-scale energy storage management research and test site attached to a 1.6-megawatt single-axis tracking system, that will evaluate multiple storage technologies, create and validate total system economic and performance models, and ultimately provide Solon the expertise to provide comprehensive PV, storage, and control systems to the utility market,” Browne said.

The company also is focused on making solar quicker and easier to install, according to Browne.

“Solon is committed to developing system solutions that are designed to drive leaner, faster installations for the commercial and utility-scale sectors,” she said.

The company also plans to introduce new products in North America later this year, but she could not discuss them at this point.

Image courtesy of Solon.