Only search E-news PRA
 
In this Edition
January 2012
LEAD FEATURE
COMPANY NEWS
MATERIALS NEWS
MACHINERY NEWS
EXHIBITION NEWS
INJECTION MOULDING ASIA
RUBBER JOURNAL ASIA
ELECTRONIC ISSUE
PRA January-February 2012
Electronic Issue

Now Available
 

 

 

Company News

Panasonic to build Malaysian solar cell plant

J

apanese electronics giant Panasonic is building a new US$582 million solar cell factory in Malaysia, to reduce production costs caused by the surging yen. The factory will be capable of generating 300 megawatts of power. The factory, in addition to those owned in Japan, will help Panasonic increase by 50% its annual production to 900 megawatts by 2013.

Panasonic has cancelled a plan to convert a plasma-television panel plant in western Japan into one that makes solar panels. This is an indication of how Japan's solar-panel makers are struggling, as fast-growing Chinese makers create a global inventory glut, while the strong yen makes Japanese exports more expensive.

Panasonic's plant in the northwestern Malaysian state of Kedah, which would employ 1,500 people and start production in December 2012, will strengthen the firm's cost competitiveness, it said.

Panasonic acquired a majority stake in Sanyo in December 2009, taking over one of the world's biggest suppliers of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and a major player in solar panels, before turning it into a wholly owned unit.

The global market landscape for solar panels has changed dramatically in recent years with Chinese solar-cell makers now among the world's biggest producers, helped by Beijing's support for renewable-energy businesses.

 
 
 
.Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | PRA Home Page| IMA | RJA | Contact Us