Evergreen Solar Inc. announced recently that it will shut its manufacturing plant in Devens, eliminating 800 jobs. The company has received $58 million in state aid, and the closure dealt an embarrassing setback to Governor Deval Patrick, prompting a barrage of criticism of his economic policies.
The plant, which produces solar panels, has been one of the centerpieces of Patrick's effort to lure green industries to the state. When it opened two years ago, the company promised to create 350 jobs there over seven years, but said it would relocate manufacturing to China instead.
