Evergreen Solar Inc. will soon close the doors at its Devens manufacturing facility, just two years after its opening.

Around 800 jobs will be cut due to the closing of the Devens facility, which received $58 million in taxpayer subsidies. The closing is a result of Evergreen Solar trying to compete with cheaper Chinese rivals. The expected closing date will be by the end of the first quarter 2011, according to a statement.

"Although production costs at our Devens facility have steadily decreased, and are now below originally planned levels and lower than most western manufacturers, they are still much higher than those of our low cost competitors in China," said Michael El-Hillow, president and CEO. "We have consistently stated during quarterly conference calls throughout 2010 that we would continue to manufacture in Devens as long as it was economically feasible. During the month of December, we experienced a 10 percent decrease in average selling prices from the beginning of the fourth quarter."

El-Hillow added: "As industry selling prices continue their rapid declines into 2011, panel manufacturing in Devens, either fully or partially, is no longer economically feasible, consequently requiring a complete shutdown of the facility. We believe this is the right long-term decision for the company, and better positions the company to complete its previously announced recapitalization plan and pursue the company’s strategy of becoming the low cost producer of industry standard size wafers."

Evergreen Solar will continue to operate in Midland, Mich. and Wuhan, China.