News Release
Fuji Electric Systems Strengthens Photovoltaic Power System Business

March 12,2009
Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.

Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd. (FES), whose President and Representative Director is Mitsunori Shirakura, announced today that as of March 1, 2009, it had set up Photovoltaic Power Business Project Group which takes care of the entire process of engineering, producing and marketing solar cells. By integrating all internal solar cell resources, FES will strengthen the organization of its photovoltaic power business and reinforce its marketing capabilities.

The Ministry of the Environment of the government of Japan estimates that a total of up to 37 million kW can be generated annually by photovoltaic power generation systems in Japan before 2020, by implementing measures to encourage the construction of such power generation systems. This is 26 times the amount of solar power generated in Japan in 2005.

The shipment of solar cells in Japan in 2008 increased 36% over the previous year to a total of 1.15 million kW. That figure is expected to grow even larger in the future with the resumption of a government subsidy scheme this spring.

In the weeks and months ahead FES will strengthen its product portfolio by introducing the high-efficiency power conditioners which use newly developed power semiconductors and secondary cells, in addition to solar cells. By leveraging its unique, superior products and technologies as well as its engineering capabilities, FES will provide its customers with higher efficiency photovoltaic power generation systems. Furthermore, FES will extend its business reach to distributed power network systems, including Smart Grids. To achieve this, FES will not only capitalize on its established grid connection technology but also offer systems that balance the demand and supply of electric power in power generation systems which use unstable resources such as solar and wind power.

1. Outline of New Photovoltaic Power Business Organization

Aiming to accelerate and bolster its photovoltaic power business, FES has set up a new organization called Photovoltaic Power Business Project Group which includes a strengthened marketing function, the engineering function of the production process and the Kumamoto plant, which produces solar cells. This new organization will allow FES to provide comprehensive services for photovoltaic power generation systems for social infrastructure and industry market segments both in and outside Japan. The existing sales organization will continue to carry out sales activities for photovoltaic power generation systems.

2. Reinforcement of Development Framework

In addition to solar cells and systems and peripherals, FES will also focus on the development of the semiconductors used in peripherals, such as reverse-blocking IBGTs, by using resources within the Fuji Electric Group.

Solar cell production system
FES will further improve its production methods for film-substrate solar cells by enhancing its proprietary production method and forging strategic alliances with facility manufacturers.
Solar cell evaluation system
FES will develop evaluation systems for solar cells by making use of the technologies accumulated at its subsidiaries through the development of evaluation equipment for optical semiconductor devices.

3. Reinforcement of Product Development

FYR: Large Capacity Power Conditioner
FYR: Smart Grids

Customer Inquiry:

Operation Dept.
Photovoltaic Power Business Project Group
Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
Tel. +81-3-5435-7285