Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation today announced the start of full-scale production at its solar module manufacturing factory in Malaysia. The factory produces the company's HIT solar modules which offer the industry's top-class power output*2, with an annual production capacity of 300 MW. With the factory now operating in full swing, Panasonic will accelerate its efforts to meet the robust solar demand, especially 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. Anticipating the growing demand, Panasonic established the factory in Malaysia in December 2011 in Kulim Hi-Tech Park in the northwestern state of Kedah and started production in December 2012.
With the integrated manufacture of wafers to solar cells and modules, the Malaysian factory enables Panasonic to strengthen cost competitiveness through reduced transportation costs and the use of local materials. At the same time, as a strategic base for production of solar modules for the global market, the factory also allows the company to cope flexibly with changing demand around the world.
Panasonic will continue to step up efforts to provide integrated solar solutions combining modules with power conditioners, solar tracker bases, storage batteries and other components to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
Overview of the New Factory
| Factory: | Panasonic Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd |
| Location: | Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, Malaysia |
| Establishment: | December 2011 |
| Products: | HIT® solar modules |
| Floor space: | Approx. 70,000 m² |
Production capacity: |
300 MW annually |
Notes:
*1 HIT is a registered trademark and an original technology of the Panasonic Group.
*2 In terms of the Japanese domestic industry for solar power generation systems for residential use, as of June 2013, according to Panasonic data.
Panasonic Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and engineering of electronic technologies and solutions for customers in residential, non-residential, mobility and personal applications. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates over 500 consolidated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.30 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2013. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company strives to create a better life and a better world for its customers. For more information about Panasonic, please visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.
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