New Process Offers Greater Efficiency in Consumption of Silicon
over Standard Industry Methods
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(Business Wire)--
Kyocera (NYSE:KYO) today announced a new achievement in its solar
cell manufacturing process that offers higher efficiency in its
consumption of multicrystalline silicon, the essential raw material
used to make photovoltaic solar cells and modules.
The new mass-production process allows Kyocera to manufacture
solar cells with a thickness of 180 micrometers using the latest
advances in silicon ingot slicing and wafer coating. The industry's
standard mass-production methods for multicrystalline silicon solar
cells yield thicknesses between 200 to 260 micrometers.
The achievement is one element of a broader strategy by Kyocera to
more than double its global production capacity for solar modules
within the next three years, while minimizing its consumption of
silicon, according to Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc.
"Long-term contracts with our supplier partners assure us of
sufficient silicon stocks to expand our production output from about
207 megawatts of solar modules in 2007 to a target of 500 megawatts in
the year ending March 31, 2011," Hill stated.
In addition to reducing cell thickness, the company's R&D
priorities include continuous improvement in the energy conversion
efficiency of its solar cells. Kyocera reported achieving a new world
record of 18.5 percent efficiency in its multicrystalline silicon
solar cells in October 2006, using a design with electrical contacts
mounted on the underside of the cell. The company plans to have cells
of this design in mass production by March 2010.
Kyocera's continuous R&D efforts in solar energy technologies
since 1975 have made the company a world leader in photovoltaic cells
and modules -- enabling it to supply fully integrated solutions, from
components to complete photovoltaic solar power generating systems. In
1982, Kyocera was the first company to mass produce multicrystalline
silicon solar cells using the casting method, which remains the
industry standard today. By producing all of its own components,
without outsourcing or procuring any semi-finished products, the
company consistently delivers industry-leading quality and
reliability.
About Kyocera
Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) is a
world-leading manufacturer of fine ceramic materials and components
for all fields of technology. The diverse business enterprises of the
Kyocera Group, comprising more than 180 subsidiaries worldwide, are
engaged in providing information and communications equipment,
products to enhance the quality of life, and technologies that promote
environmental preservation.
Kyocera employs more than 66,000 people globally and recorded
consolidated net sales of 1.29 trillion yen (approximately $12.9
billion) during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Kyocera Solar,
Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., markets the company's
photovoltaic products and systems in the Americas and Australia.
Alarus Agency
Stephanie Kellems
619-235-4542
Cell: 619-347-2715
skellems@alarus.biz
or
Kyocera Solar, Inc.
Tom Dyer
480-948-8003
tom.dyer@kyocera.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
