REC Silicon reopens, closes in Moses Lake during bumpy journey

MOSES LAKE — The owners of REC Silicon announced Dec. 31 the company would shutter its Moses Lake facility, with the closure projected to take about three months. Both polysilicon and silane gas were produced in Moses Lake. Polysilicon is used in the manufacture of solar panels and in the electronics industry. Silicon gas is used in battery production, among other things. “Production of polysilicon will be discontinued at the Moses Lake facility, while equipment involved in the production of silicon gases will be maintained in a safe and recoverable mode that incurs minimal interim costs, allowing the unit to restart with reasonable notice,” the press release said.