One of the most recognised solar brands, Sanyo ‘HIT’ technology will be dropped next year and come under the Panasonic brand. The move by Panasonic, which acquired Sanyo was said to be part of a bigger strategic move to consolidate branding across multiple areas under the Panasonic name. Sanyo remains responsible for key areas in the energy sector of the Panasonic Group, according to the company.
As of the beginning of Panasonic’s new financial year on April 1, 2012, solar modules from Sanyo will be branded ‘Panasonic HIT.’
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“The brand change is part of the global strategy aimed at expanding the solar business of the Panasonic Group,” commented Charles Hanasaki, president of the Solar & Smart Energy Division. “The same manufacturing and sales structure will continue as well as its advanced HIT solar modules, just under the Panasonic brand. Additionally, the Panasonic Group will continue to invest in the solar business, allowing us to offer a higher level of service to our business partners and provide our customers with higher quality, more efficient modules.”
Sanyo’s heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer (HIT) technology was introduced in 1997 and rapidly became a highly recognised brand, having high-efficiencies, second only to those of technology leader, SunPower.