December 15, 2004, San Diego, CA--Kyocera Solar has opened new solar product assembly operations at the existing Kyocera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. maquiladora plant in Tijuana , B.C. Mexico.
The Kyocera facility manufactures solar photovoltaic ("PV") modules - rectangular, roof-mountable panels that convert sunlight into a clean, silent source of renewable electricity. According to industry research firm Solarbuzz, Kyocera was the world's No. 2 producer of PV modules in 2003. The new Tijuana assembly line is part of a global expansion Kyocera announced in September 2004 that will double its PV module manufacturing capacity, to 240 megawatts per year, during 2005.
"Solar energy products now comprise the fastest-growing segment of Kyocera's global business," said Rodney N. Lanthorne, president of Kyocera International and director of Kyocera Corp., the group's global parent. "This production operation represents our vision to make the San Diego/Tijuana region a significant contributor to North America's solar energy industry."
Production of PV modules commenced at the Tijuana plant in November, targeting California's fast-growing market for commercial and residential solar PV systems. During 2005, the facility is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 36 megawatts of PV modules -- enough to provide a 3.5-kilowatt PV system for more than 10,000 homes each year.
"People all over the world are demanding an energy source that's affordable, reliable and safe for the environment," said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar. "These attributes are exactly what Kyocera's PV technology delivers."
