Sanyo delays increase in solar cell production

In February this year Sanyo began construction of a third factory at its site in Nishikiminami in western Japan, with plans to begin solar cell production around now. The factory has been completed but the start of high-volume production has been pushed back to December next year.

When it begins production the factory will have an annual production capacity of 135 megawatts, which is in line with Sanyo's original plans. That will take total production at the plant, which includes two other factories, to 345 megawatts.

Sanyo is also planning to increase production at its other Japanese solar cell plant in Shimane, also in western Japan, from 130 megawatts to 220 megawatts around April 2010.

The revised plans will mean that Sanyo will end its current financial year in March 2010 with total production unchanged on that of the previous year at 340 megawatts. In the coming financial year, from April 2010, it will first raise production in Shimane and then in the second half of the financial year start up the new factory in Nishikiminami.

If all goes according to the revised schedule Sanyo will finish its next fiscal year with solar cell production of 565 megawatts.