Kyocera to Start Production at New Solar Cell Plant (expands capacity to 600 MW per year)

[jpak]

http://www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsASMA318.htm

Kyocera Corporation today announced that it will begin full-scale production at its new Yasu solar cell manufacturing facility in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

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The new Yasu Plant employs an enhanced manufacturing line, and will produce solar cells with a 16.9% energy conversion efficiency — one of the world’s highest for mass-produced multicrystalline cells.

In tandem with the company’s existing Shiga Yohkaichi Plant (Japan), the new plant will contribute to meeting Kyocera’s annual production target of 1GW of solar cells by March 2013.

In order to meet expanding global demand, Kyocera is ramping up its annual production to 600MW this fiscal year — an increase of 50 percent over the previous fiscal year. Furthermore, by concentrating on product quality, the company is working to decrease the cost of solar energy by improving cell conversion efficiency and enhancing the company’s own productivity.

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[txlibdem]

1. I'm always happy to hear about a 50% increase in solar PV production

The only way solar PV becomes cheap enough for me to afford is if all these manufacturers ramp up their production many times higher. It's a great idea for them, every solar panel installed on someone's roof helps not only their budget but also the environment. Getting to a production target of 1 gigawatt annually by 2013 is a great thing.

I just wish the plant was in the US of A.