Kyocera Announces Upward Revision of Annual Solar Cell Production to 1GW by March 2013
Aiming to provide greater number of solar products to meet increasing global demand
03 March 2010
Kyoto / Neuss, 03 March 2010 – The Japanese technology corporation Kyocera, one of the leading manufacturers in the photovoltaic field, will increase its annual solar cell production targets to meet the growing demand for solar energy products in the global market. New targets aim for an incremental increase to 1 gigawatt (GW) per year by March 2013 — 2.5 times more than the current fiscal year 2010 production volume of 400MW.
In response to growing demand Kyocera has established local production and supply networks for solar modules in North America, Europe, Japan and China — the world's four largest solar energy markets. In addition to the solar cell production increase, the company will continue to enhance its module assembly capability.
“Kyocera will continue to contribute to solving increasing environmental issues by providing solar panels with high quality and high reliability for the creation of clean energy,” stated Tetsuo Kuba, president of Kyocera Corporation.
“Kyocera will continue to contribute to solving increasing environmental issues by providing solar panels with high quality and high reliability for the creation of clean energy,” stated Tetsuo Kuba, president of Kyocera Corporation.
New Solar Cell Manufacturing Plant in Japan
As part of the new plan to increase annual cell production, Kyocera has recently completed construction of a new cell manufacturing plant in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, which will operate in addition to the company’s existing Shiga Yohkaichi Plant. The new facility becomes the largest Kyocera Group manufacturing plant in Japan.
The new Yasu Plant employs an enhanced manufacturing line, which increases productivity by 20% compared with the Yohkaichi Plant. The main product to be manufactured at the Yasu Plant is the company’s newly enhanced cell with an average energy conversion efficiency of 16.9%. These cells are used in the company’s 215-watt solar module — one of solar energy industry’s top power output levels — which is slated for sales to the global market.
“Together with the existing plant at Yohkaichi, the new Yasu Plant will be Kyocera’s core production site for solar cells,” stated Tetsuo Kuba, president of Kyocera Corporation. “In addition to mass-producing cells with Kyocera’s highest conversion efficiency, the new plant will also undertake R&D activities for next-generation cell technology.”
The new Yasu Plant employs an enhanced manufacturing line, which increases productivity by 20% compared with the Yohkaichi Plant. The main product to be manufactured at the Yasu Plant is the company’s newly enhanced cell with an average energy conversion efficiency of 16.9%. These cells are used in the company’s 215-watt solar module — one of solar energy industry’s top power output levels — which is slated for sales to the global market.
“Together with the existing plant at Yohkaichi, the new Yasu Plant will be Kyocera’s core production site for solar cells,” stated Tetsuo Kuba, president of Kyocera Corporation. “In addition to mass-producing cells with Kyocera’s highest conversion efficiency, the new plant will also undertake R&D activities for next-generation cell technology.”
High-performance solar cells
In 1982, Kyocera was the first company in the world to start mass production of multicrystalline silicon solar cells. In the 28 years since, the company has cultivated its material and production technologies to manufacture high-performance solar cells. With the new plant and existing Yohkaichi Plant, Kyocera plans to increase production volume, targeting 1GW of annual production by March 2013.
Furthermore, the company will continue to increase its solar module assembly capacity to meet the demands of the market, aiming to further expand its solar energy business.
Furthermore, the company will continue to increase its solar module assembly capacity to meet the demands of the market, aiming to further expand its solar energy business.
Press Material
- Press Release (pdf) (746.08 KB)