Featuring the world's highest module conversion efficiency* in multicrystal solar cells
New residential solar power generation systems brought to market
ECONOROOTS for span or flat roofs and SAMURAI for complex or hip roofs
Announcing the release of the ECONONACORD, a new peripheral unit with a stylish design
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* As of March 22, 2004
(This document was translated from the Japanese press release.)
March 22, 2004
Kyocera Corporation (President: Yasuo Nishiguchi) takes pleasure in announcing the release in April 2004 of newly developed residential solar power generation systems for 2004.
The SAMURAI for a complex or hip roofs (upper left)
and the ECONOROOTS for span or flat roofs (lower right)
According to the New Energy Foundation (NEF), 52,339 people filed applications for the subsidized installation of residential solar power generation facilities in Japan in 2003. This figure was as of February 20, representing a substantial increase of 20% over the previous year. It is expected that an increasing number of people will introduce solar power generation facilities in 2004 as well.
In 1993, Kyocera was the first to standardize and bring to market a residential solar power generation system in Japan. In the ten years since then, Kyocera has been endeavoring to improve performance and promote the system.
Based on our accumulated technologies and achievements, we have recently added to our lineup a multicrystal silicon solar cell module, featuring the world's highest module conversion efficiency with improved characteristics.
Having released the new, attractive system that is suitable for Japanese housing conditions, we will be working hard to promote the system to customers while satisfying their different needs.
1. Attaining the world's greatest module conversion efficiency in multicrystal silicon solar cells
Kyocera is a manufacturer of solar cells, with the integrated production system, which covers all processes within the company, from casting of silicon ingots to the production of silicon wafers, substrates, solar cell devices and solar cell modules.
Kyocera boasts of having the world’s largest production volume, facilitated by its internal integrated systems that span materials to modules. Thanks to the company’s efforts in implementing innovative technologies in every aspect of the manufacturing processes to improve the performance, the products are highly regarded for their quality.
Here we have developed technology for controlling impure substances in the manufacturing process of solar cells and improved the quality of the substrate. We have also successfully formed a low-resistance electrode by miniaturizing the surface of the solar cell device and improving the printing technology.
By using this cell, we were able to develop a new solar module that featured substantially improved output characteristics.
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| (Conventional model) |
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(New) |
| Standard module | (d.Blue cell) | 162.0 W |
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185.0 W/175.0 W |
| SAMURAI module | (d.Blue cell) | 55.0 W/41.0 W |
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58.0 W/43.0 W |
The mainstream of solar cells produced at present is multicrystal silicon solar cells, which Kyocera early took notice of and established a technology for its mass production.
* According to the PV news 2004 (Statistics of the world's solar cell production), multicrystal silicon solar cells account for approximately 62% of the production volume for 2003, approximately 744MW.
Kyocera has attained a module conversion efficiency of 14.48% in its 185.0-W roof installation modules developed for this release. This is the world's highest among these multicrystal silicon solar cells, which are the most common type of solar cells in the world. (We will be accepting orders for producing the 185.0-W module.)
2. The ECONOROOTS and SAMURAI domestic standard systems
Last June, Kyocera released the SAMURAI, a new residential solar power generation system focusing on customer satisfaction. Based on the idea of being stylish and powerful, we have created a stylish design that is capable of generating a greater amount of electricity.
Following the market success of the SAMURAI, we will be targeting the housing market by developing this idea to produce products this year that accommodate a wide variety of roof configurations.
To expand on this theme, we plan to offer two kinds of solar power generation systems made of high efficiency and high output solar modules using d.Blue cells with improved characteristics. As strategic products for the housing market, we will be releasing in April ECONOROOTS for span or flat roofs and SAMURAI for hip or complex roofs. Both units feature increased output.
The new standard system, ECONOROOTS, for span or flat roofs
We are releasing the latest standard residential solar power generation system that incorporates solar modules (185.0 W/175.0 W) with improved output and module conversion efficiency.
In recognition of the fact that we have attained a module conversion efficiency of 14.48%, the world's best among multicrystal silicon solar cells, we named the residential solar power generation system that uses the basic rectangular modules ECONOROOTS.
Japan's residential solar power generation originated with Kyocera when it released Japan's first standardized system in 1993. Therefore, we incorporated the concepts of "old establishment," "root" and "foundation of the residential solar power generation" into the name.
Increased output despite area and the number of modules remaining the same
The external dimensions of the new standard module are the same as those of the conventional module, which means the new model has the same number of modules as the previous model. Despite this, output of the new model has been increased.
For example, the output of the system for the new standard 175.0-W module x 20 installation is increased by 8% from the capacity in the system for the conventional 162.0-W module x 20 installation. The power generated has also increased from 3.24 kW to 3.50 kW.
Fewer modules to achieve the same output
To put it the other way around, the conventional 162.0-W model requires 22 modules to generate 3.50 kW of output, whereas the new standard 175.0- W module can generate 3.50 kW of power with only 20 modules, which means the number of modules required can be reduced by approximately 10%.
More powerful SAMURAI for complex or hip roofs
House roofs have a wide range of configurations and there is an increasing number of complex shapes. The restriction on roof area and the resident's interest in the appearance of the home were two factors that caused people to hesitate in introducing solar power generation systems, even though they were otherwise keen to do it.
SAMURAI, which was released last June, allows you to mount a greater number of solar modules on a hip or complex roof, even where the space on one surface of the roof is limited. For this reason, the product has been very popular. It offers an increased power output and features a beautiful, three-dimensional design for a roof installation residential solar power generation system.
These long and short modules for the SAMURAI have improved the output characteristics while the external specifications remain unchanged. The conventional 55.0-W module has been improved to 58.0-W and the conventional 41.0-W module has been improved to 43.0 W, which mean that the output has been improved by approximately 5% in both units. We will be releasing an even more powerful SAMURAI for hip and complex roofs in 2004.
3. Release of ECONONACORD, the new stylish system peripheral device
Kyocera reviewed the design of the junction box and the optional automatic PV boosters, which are peripheral equipment for the residential solar power generation system.
We aimed creating a lighter, more compact device, integrated with the same, rounded design.
In a departure from the conventional image, ECONONACORD, a redesigned peripheral unit with a gentle, stylish design, will be released in April.
ECONONACORD junction unit
The ECONONACORD junction unit includes a junction box function. It multiplexes multiple wires from the solar modules into one and supplies the generated electricity to the power conditioner.
ECONONACORD PV boosters
An automatic booster function is incorporated in the optional ECONONACORD PV boosters. They boost the string voltage with a small number of series so they are equivalent to other string voltages with a large number of series in multiple solar cell strings. The boosters make it possible to connect a string with a small number of series to the power conditioner.
The device removes the restriction that each string must have the same number of solar modules and enables the installation of solar cell modules on many surfaces, even where there are a small number of modules, by effectively using a small roof space, such as a hip roof or transformed gable roof.
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Providing the installation space
The products are substantially lighter in weight and more compact in size than conventional equipment, featuring the same design of a thin-shaped body. The heat release performance has been reassessed to enable the junction unit and PV boosters to be connected, which facilitates an integrated, stylish installation.
(Junction box)
W400 x H300 x D120mm/7.1 kg |
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ECONONACORD junction unit
W178×H280×D115mm/2.2kg |
(Automatic PV booster)
W180 x H300 x D120mm/4.1 kg |
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ECONONACORD PV booster
W178 x H280 x D115mm/2.2 kg |
Incorporation of cables in the unit
The wiring and piping that connects the junction box and automatic PV boosters externally has been incorporated in the unit, to simplify the area around the unit.
Review of materials
A resin used for the product is resistant to rust caused by salt or acid rain.
The material has excellent weather resistance and heat resistance.
ECONONACORD
(Left in the photo: Junction unit, Right in the photo: PV boosters)
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| Inquiries |
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From Customers |
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Kyocera Corporation
Solar Energy Division,
Business Department
Tel: (075) 604-3493 (Direct) |
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From
the Press |
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Kyocera Corporation Corporate Communications
Head Office
Tel: 075-604-3416
Tokyo
Tel: 03-3274-1577 |
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