Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation today started production at its newly-built solar module manufacturing facility in Malaysia. With an annual production capacity of 300 MW, the factory in Kulim Hi-Tech Park in the northwestern state of Kedah, will manufacture HIT® solar modules, which offer the world's highest-level conversion efficiency. This new production facility will help Panasonic meet robust solar demand in Japan while further enhancing cost competitiveness.
The global solar market is expected to grow further with increasing environmental awareness and the introduction of stimulus measures such as feed-in tariffs and subsidies in various countries, including Japan.
Panasonic will take full advantage of this new facility, the company's first fully-integrated solar manufacturing base producing from wafers to solar cells and modules, not only to meet such strong demand but also strengthen cost competitiveness through reduced transportation costs and use of local materials.
Panasonic is currently manufacturing HIT® solar cells at its two domestic plants and has three module assembly bases, two in Japan and one in Hungary, with an annual production capacity of 600 MW each of cells and modules. The new Malaysian factory will boost the company's total solar module producing capacity by 50% to 900 MW.
Capitalizing on its solar manufacturing capabilities, Panasonic will step up efforts to provide integrated solar solutions combining modules with power conditioners, solar tracker bases, storage batteries and other components to meet the needs of diverse customers and expand its business.
Overview of the New Factory
| Location: | Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, Malaysia |
| Completion: | December 2012 |
| Products: | HIT® solar modules (integrated manufacturing of wafers, cells, modules) |
| Floor space: | Approx. 70,000 m² |
| Employees: | Approx. 1,500 |
Production capacity: |
300 MW annually |
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products in three business fields, consumer, components & devices, and solutions. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.85 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2012. Panasonic's stock is listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) Stock Exchanges. The company has the vision of becoming the No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry by the 100th year of its founding in 2018. For more information on Panasonic, its brand and commitment to sustainability, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.
Panasonic Energy Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. started production on December 13, 2012
Media Contacts:
- Tokyo Public Relations Office
- Panasonic Corporation
- Tel: +81-(0)3-3574-5664 Fax: +81-(0)3-3574-5699
- Panasonic News Bureau
- Tel: +81-(0)3-3542-6205 Fax: +81-(0)3-3542-9018
