Solar company GAF Energy will shut San Jose manufacturing hub in move to Texas

SAN JOSE — GAF Energy will shut its San Jose production center, chop more than 100 jobs, and shift its operation to Texas, according to a WARN notice the solar energy company filed with the state Employment Development Department.

The closure of the plant will affect 138 jobs. In 2021, GAF Energy leased the South San Jose building as a prelude to creating a solar-oriented manufacturing hub.

The company, which makes shingles integrated with solar panels, told the state EDD that it would permanently close the facility at 5981 Optical Court around Dec. 31.

“In light of ongoing changes in the solar industry, we are aligning our business and our team to focus on key markets where solar is most compelling for builders and homeowners,” a GAF Energy spokesperson said in an email the company sent to this news organization.

A wide range of GAF Energy units will move from San Jose to a suburb of Austin.

“The changes we are making include centralizing all operations, manufacturing, and research & development at our headquarters in Georgetown, Texas to drive efficiencies, foster stronger collaboration and partnership among teams, and better serve customers,” the GAF Energy spokesperson stated.

In 2021, GAF Energy predicted it would employ about 250 to 300 people at the South San Jose site once it ramped up hiring. It’s unclear if the company ever reached that number.

It was unclear how many, if any, GAF Energy workers would relocate to Texas as the San Jose plant winds down operations.

“This decision was not taken lightly,” the GAF Energy spokesperson stated. “We are grateful to our employees in San Jose for their contributions to the business and are committed to assisting those impacted through this transition.”