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.
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| 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.”
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| 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.
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| Production Plan |
Fiscal Year* | Annual Solar Cell Production Plan | Previous | Revised | 2010 | 400MW | 400MW | 2011 | 550MW | 600MW | 2012 | 650MW | 800MW | 2013 | ― | 1GW (1,000MW) |
*Fiscal years run from the preceding April 1 to March 31 of the indicated year.
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| Facility Overview |
Location | Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan (within the KYOCERA Corporation Shiga Yasu Office grounds) | Building area | 12,738.55m² (6 floors: 90×130m) | Floor area | 68,151.88m² | Operation schedule | June 2010 | Production base | Multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells |
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