San Diego Production Qualifies KYOCERA Modules for Projects with “Buy American”
Procurement Provisions
SAN DIEGO–(Business Wire)–
Kyocera (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) today announced that it has begun manufacturing
solar modules in San Diego, Calif., to serve the U.S. market’s growing demand
for clean, sustainable solar electric generating systems. The U.S. module
production line will support a new milestone for Kyocera’s solar energy business
- global production volume targeting 1,000 megawatts (one “gigawatt”) of solar
cells per year by March 2013.
The new solar manufacturing line has an initial production target of 30
megawatts per year. It leverages Kyocera’s world-class U.S. manufacturing
capabilities to produce the company’s most powerful and efficient solar power
products. Initial production includes solar modules ranging from 210 watts to
the company’s latest flagship 235-watt modules.
“High-quality, high-efficiency solar modules from Kyocera’s San Diego plant
fulfill the ‘Buy American’ provisions enacted by the U.S. government, while
meeting the rising demand for renewable energy that has accompanied the current
administration’s ‘Green New Deal’ measures,” stated Tatsumi Maeda, vice
president and general manager of Kyocera Corporation’s Solar Energy Group.
“Kyocera expects these products to extend the power benefits of the sun to an
unprecedented number of people.”
Solar energy has become Kyocera’s fastest-growing business globally, with the
company expanding production capacity aggressively to meet growing worldwide
demand. In addition to the new production operations in San Diego, Kyocera
currently has solar module production facilities in Japan, China, the Czech
Republic and Mexico.
“We’re pleased that our newest production operation is up and running today,
according to schedule – a move that will allow us to meet increasing demand for
innovative solar products,” said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc.
“Kyocera’s solar solutions go beyond residential rooftops – we specialize in
transforming unused spaces, even parking lots and water-treatment facilities,
into self-contained solar-electric generating systems that benefit communities
and our planet.”
Solar power offers a hedge against electricity cost increases and serves as an
environmental countermeasure to acid rain, ozone depletion and rising carbon
levels. As an illustration of Kyocera’s expansion target, the planned
one-gigawatt global capacity is enough to supply 3.5-kilowatt solar electric
generating systems for about 285,000 homes each year.
The company invites solar inquires for applications ranging from home power to
utility-scale generation.
Kyocera established its U.S. operations in 1969, and started a trend in 1971 as
the first Japan-based corporation with manufacturing operations in the State of
California. Kyocera Group companies currently employ approximately 4,000 people
in the United States.
About KYOCERA
Kyocera Solar, Inc. (http://www.kyocerasolar.com) is a world-leading supplier of
environmentally sound, solar electric energy solutions. With operating
headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz. and regional sales centers in the U.S., Brazil
and Australia, Kyocera Solar, Inc. serves thousands of customers in both
developed and developing regions. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and
holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the
parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a
producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining
these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with
other technologies, Kyocera Corporation has become a leading supplier of solar
electric generating systems, telecommunications equipment, copiers, printers,
electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial
ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2010, the company’s net sales totaled
1.07 trillion yen (approximately USD11.5 billion). Kyocera marked its 50th
anniversary in 2009, and the 40th anniversary of its U.S. operations. It is
ranked #554 on Forbes magazine’s 2010 “Global 2000″ listing of the world’s
largest publicly traded companies.
KYOCERA Corporation
Akiko Chujo, +81-(0)75-604-3416
webmaster.pressgl@kyocera.jp
or
Alarus Agency
Stephanie Kellems,
Tel: 619-235-4542
Cell: 619-347-2715
skellems@alarus.biz
Leila Henry,
Cell: 619-368-7428
leila@alarus.biz
Copyright Business Wire 2010
