Slowdown At Ovonic

United Solar Ovonic is temporarily closing its solar panel production factories in Greenville and Auburn Hills. Beginning May 17, workers at the two Greenville plants will be furloughed for four weeks while employees at a plant in Auburn Hills will be laid off for three weeks. The company is also offering voluntary severance packages. Spokesman Mark Trinske says the installation of four new lines in Greenville and equipping and hiring for a new Battle Creek plant will be delayed until business picks up. Tthe Rochester Hills-based company believes the projects will resume when the economy improves.