URE to Lay Off Over 100 Employees and Retire Outdated Equipment Amid Operational Restructuring

Taiwanese solar module and cell manufacturer United Renewable Energy Co. (URE) has announced plans to lay off more than 100 employees and retire aging production equipment as part of a broader initiative to enhance operational efficiency.

According to the company, the layoffs will impact approximately 10% of its workforce and are expected to be finalized by the fourth quarter of 2025. URE has confirmed that all necessary notifications have been made to relevant authorities in compliance with legal requirements.

The decision comes as URE shifts focus to newer technologies. Citing market data, the company noted that TOPCon solar modules have now surpassed PERC products in popularity and have “jumped into the mainstream of the market.”

As part of this transition, URE will decommission production lines for older-generation solar cells at its facility in Jhunan Township, Miaoli County, and concentrate resources on producing next-generation TOPCon solar wafers.

Currently, PERC capacity accounts for roughly half of URE’s total 830 megawatts of production capacity in Taiwan, with the remaining capacity dedicated to TOPCon solar wafers. Volume production of TOPCon wafers began ramping up in the fourth quarter of last year.

“We have submitted the plan to related authorities with an aim to strengthen the company’s operations,” said URE deputy spokesperson Kris Chen in a phone interview.

TOPCon manufacturing operations will be consolidated at URE’s Tainan facility. The company will also continue producing its existing solar modules and is set to launch all-black modules starting in the third quarter of 2025.

Local reports indicate that URE, which also operates in the energy storage sector, is evolving into a full-spectrum energy solutions provider. Its expanded business scope will include module manufacturing, project development, energy storage systems, maintenance, and electricity sales.

Formerly known as Neo Solar Power, URE became Taiwan’s largest photovoltaic manufacturer following its 2018 merger with Gintech and Solartech.