Panasonic reaches full-capacity at 300-MW Malaysian solar factory

Aug 30, 2013 - Japan's Panasonic Corp (TYO:6752) said Friday its 300-MW plant in Malaysia is operating at full-capacity, producing the company’s HIT (heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer) solar modules.

The company will now put even more effort into the business in order to meet growing solar power demand, especially on the Japanese market where environmental awareness and appealing feed-in tariffs are resulting in record solar installations.

In December 2011 Panasonic started work on the manufacturing base in Malaysia’s northwestern state of Kedah, which was planned to combine the production of wafers, solar cells and modules. A year later it commenced production at the site and now the facility is working at full-scale. Panasonic pointed out that by making wafers, cells and modules at the same location it was benefiting from lower transportation expenses and use of materials produced locally.

“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,” the company said today.

According to a recent report by NPD Solarbuzz solar product demand from the Asia Pacific region will surpass 16 GW in 2013, marking a 90% year-on-year jump. China and Japan are to account for 9 GW in the second half of 2013, soaring 70% year-on-year.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!