EUGENE — The pending closure of the Hynix computer chip plant in Eugene may lead to the opening of a solar power component factory.

Jack Roberts, head of the Lane Metro Partnership business recruitment agency, confirmed what Gov. Ted Kulongoski told The Register-Guard earlier last week — that negotiations with solar power companies are under way.

Roberts says the possible conversion of the Hynix plant makes sense because manufacturing solar power components is very similar to making computer chips.

But he warns the talks are still preliminary.

Hynix announced last week that it is closing its Eugene plant over the next three months, putting more than 1,100 employees and 300 contract workers out of a job.