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Mitsubishi Electric raises MW capacity target: constructs new solar cell plant
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Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has cited increased demand for its photovoltaic modules for its decision to revise upwards its megawatt (MW) solar cell production targets and the construction of a new solar cell plant at its Nakatsugawa Works Iida Factory in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The company is also bringing forward its capital expenditure plans by one full year, while raising cell capacity plans from 500MW in 2013 to 600MW by 2012.
Currently, Mitsubishi is working to increase its annual production capacity to 220MW by October 2008, having separated cell and module production into dedicated plants in 2007. Its Iida Factory now makes cells while its Kyoto Factory made modules.
The new facility, located on the grounds of its Nakatsugawa Works Iida Factory will occupy approximately 24,000 square meters and be completed in December 2009. The company is investing 50 billion yen to reach its 600MW target.
Mitsubishi also said that it will improve output of solar power generation systems by combining its multicrystalline silicon cell technologies, which have achieved conversion efficiency rates of 18.6 percent (the highest claimed) with its PV inverters, which boast the industry’s highest energy conversion efficiency rate of 97.5 percent. The company plans to promote these PV systems worldwide.
