Japanese electronics giant Panasonic is investing 9.5 billion yen to boost production capacity of HITTM solar cells at its two domestic plants. The move is aimed at tapping into the demand for solar photovoltaics, which has been growing over the past few years.
The company has stated that it is to expand production lines at its Shimane factory, which produces solar cells, and at the Shiga Factory, where modules are produced.
The expansion would increase the production capacity of Panasonic by 150 megawatts a year. And by next March the total HITTM solar module production capacity of Panasonic will be raised to more than 1 gigawatt, including the output from its manufacturing facilities in Kedah, Malaysia, and Nishikinohama, Osaka.
Panasonic has stated that it expects to benefit from the strong demand for solar panels as the residential rooftop solar market in the country is growing, particularly after the introduction of Feed-in Tariff.
Strong demand is expected to prevail in the sector, supported by efforts led by governments to promote the adoption of zero net-energy houses and buildings.
Similar demand is also being experienced in Asian countries, besides Europe and the United States.
Under the circumstances, Panasonic expects to meet the growing demand in the global solar market with the addition of production capacity. In Japan, the company aims to penetrate the Smart Home Energy Management Systems, or SMARTHEMS, market further with its expansion.
“SMARTHEMS integrates Panasonic’s solar generation system with its EcoCute heat-pump hot water supply systems, power storage batteries, energy-saving appliances and other products ,” according to the statement.
Ajith Kumar S
editor@greentechlead.com