Mitsubishi’s New Solar Cell Plant in Japan Set to Triple Production
Energy Boom
In a statement of confidence for its industry, the Mitsubishi Electric Company (TYO:6503)– one of the world’s largest solar panel producers–recently completedconstruction on its new solar cell plant in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Along with this news comes plans to almost triple production of solar cells in two years to meet demand for renewable energy.
Mitsubishi Electric joins First Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR), the world’s largest maker of thin-film solar modules, and Sharp Corporation (TYO:6753) in raising capacity as governments offer subsidies to encourage households and businesses to move away from the fossil fuels.
New Plant Means New Tech:
Mitsubishi also announced plans to start production of monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV)cells within 2010. An often higher-priced but more efficient means ofsolar energy production, the initial conversion efficiency of themonocrystalline silicon PV cell is expected to be 17%, but the companyplans to enhance it to 18 to 20% as soon as possible to compete withits rivals.
Mitsubishi considers its years of work and research inpolycrystalline photovoltaic cells to be more than adequate for a moveto monocrystalline.
"We have been engaged in the research and development ofmonocrystalline silicon PV cells for some time," Mitsubishi Electricsaid. "We do not think there is a clear difference between thetechnologies for monocrystalline silicon PV cells and those forpolycrystalline silicon PV cells."
The 258,000 square foot plant is expected to begin production nextyear, initially raising module production capacity 220-megawatts to 270MW before scaling up to support the company’s plans to deliver 600 MWof annual capacity by 2012.
Will It Help the Industry?
Though Mitsubishi is confident in projected growths of the solar market, many analysts are skeptical.
The solar market is continuing to face conflicting signals over itsoutlook, with analysts insisting that while long-term prospects lookhealthy, there are risks that the sector could be badly hit by plannedcuts to incentive schemes in Germany and Italy.
Mitsubishi insists the global market for photovoltaiccells will climb from 5,500 megawatts in March 2009 to 8,000 megawattsin 2012. "The introduction of new PV-related stimulus programs inJapan, feed-in-tariff systems spreading across Europe, as well asprojected growth in the North American market", would all serve todrive demand the company says.
By that estimate, the capacity target Mitsubishi has announced would give it 7.5 percent of the total global capacity.
Mitsubishi’s solar-panel business made 54 billion yen ($607 million) in sales in the year ended March 31, 2009.
“Our lines are running at full capacity, 24 hours aday,” Jun Nagasawa, general manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s solardivision, said at a recent press briefing in Tokyo. “We think thismomentum will continue through fiscal 2010 and we’ll be watching to seethe direction of government subsidies.”
Nagasawa declined to say how much revenue the plannedexpansion may generate. However, global revenue from the cells areexpected to climb to $90 billion in 2013 from $20 billion in 2009,according to market researcher iSuppli Corp.
Sources: Business Week. Tech-On, and Business Green
Ashort-story and screenplay writer who has won awards for his work,Harry has recently shifted focus to society’s role in bettering theworld. For him, this means a keen interest in sustainable living, whichalso includes renewable energy.
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