New Solar Power Generation Systems for Japanese Residential Market
SAMURAI for Complex or Hip Roofs with Improved Output ECONOLINE EX: New Power Conditioner with Stylish Design
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(This document was translated from the Japanese press release.)
April 18, 2005
Kyocera Corporation (President: Yasuo Nishiguchi) is pleased to announce the release on May 1 of its domestic residential solar power generation systems for 2005: SAMURAI for complex or hip roofs with improved output of solar modules, and ECONOLINE EX, a new power conditioner (4kW specifications.)
The installation image of the SAMURAI for 2005
Background
According to the New Energy Foundation (NEF), 61,407 people filed applications for the subsidized installation of residential solar power generation facilities in Japan in fiscal year 2004. This figure, current as of March 31, 2005, represents a substantial increase of 9,000 from the 52,863 people recorded the previous year. The overall market is set to continue to expand this year.
With the Kyoto Protocol taking effect on February 16 this year, and the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan being held with the environment as a theme, people are taking a growing interest in solar power generation systems. Residential solar power generation systems are drawing attention as an effective means of reducing greenhouse gas at home.
In response to demand for greater electricity generation, the capacity of individual home systems has recently been increasing. Kyocera will propose high added-value and attractive products that provide a stylish design, while improving output.
Outline
At present, Kyocera offers two types of residential solar power generation systems: SAMURAI for complex or hip roofs, and ECONOROOTS for span or flat roofs.
For ECONOROOTS, we released the 2005 model with improved output for standard modules in March this year. For SAMURAI, we plan to release on May 1 a new model with improved output per module, keeping the external dimensions of the new solar module the same as those of the conventional module. For power conditioners, which are used to convert the direct current generated with solar modules into an alternating current that can be used at home, we will provide a new product lineup to respond to the larger size of the systems. Kyocera will release the new product ECONOLINE EX (4kW specifications) with improved conversion efficiency, a thin body and stylish design.
Features of the SAMURAI
The design of residential roofs is becoming increasingly stylish and the configurations are becoming more complex. The SAMURAI has earned high popularity, because it can generate more electricity than conventional products by incorporating a greater number of solar modules into complex or hip roofs where space per roof is limited. At the same time, it provides a beautiful, solid design.
For two types of solar modules for the SAMURAI, the long type and the short type, output characteristics have improved while the external dimensions of the new standard module are the same as those of the conventional module. The output of the conventional 58-W module and the 43-W module has been increased by 2W to 60W and 45W, respectively. Thanks to the increased output, module conversion efficiency is increased to 13.4% for the short and long types, the highest efficiency in the industry for multicrystal silicon solar modules of domestic residential solar power generation systems for hip roofs. (* Based on Kyocera data)
(Reference) Example Comparisons of the Systems (* The following table shows one example. Actual
performance may vary depending on installation conditions.)
| ECONOROOTS (2005 model) |
SAMURAI (2004 model) |
SAMURAI (2005 model) |
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Module
No. of modules
System output
Installation area |
R180T-02
14
2.52kW
18.7m² |
Module
No. of modules
System output
Installation area |
Long : SU58T-02
Short: SU43T-02
Long : 33 modules
Short: 40 modules
3.63kW
29.8m² |
Module
No. of modules
System output
Installation area |
Long : SU60T-02
Short: SU45T-02
Long : 33 modules
Short: 40 modules
3.78kW
29.8m² |
* Compared to ECONOROOTS (2005 model), the output of the solar systems has increased 50%.
* Compared to SAMURAI (2004 model), the output of the solar systems has increased approximately 4%.
Features of ECONOLINE EX
For power conditioners to convert the direct current generated by solar modules into an alternating current that can be used at home, Kyocera will release on May 1 the new power conditioner ECONOLINE EX (4kW specifications), featuring improved conversion efficiency, a thin-shaped body and a stylish design. In addition to the ECONOLINE EX (5kW specifications) for large systems released last year, we have also completed the product lineup of residential power conditioners, based on the concepts of stylish and powerful for Kyocera's residential solar power generation systems.
* We increased power conversion efficiency from 93.5% for the conventional product to industry leading 94.5% (at nominal loads.)
* By reviewing the circuit design and components, we made the product approximately 17% (20mm) thinner than conventional products to provide a stylish design.
New power conditioner ECONOLINE EX (4kW specifications)
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| Inquiries |
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From Customers |
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KYOCERA Corporation
Solar Energy Division,
Business Department
6 Takeda Tobadono-cho, Fushimi-ku,
Kyoto 612-8501, Japan
Tel: +81-(0)75- 604-3476 (Direct)
Fax : +81-(0)75-604-3475 (Direct) |
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From the Press |
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KYOCERA Corporation
Corporate Communications
Head Office
Tel: 075-604-3416 (Direct)
Tokyo
Tel: 03-3274-1577(Direct) |
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