SANYO recently announced its intention to enter the energy solutions business with a system proposal to reduce running costs and CO2 emissions for factories, schools, stores and other facilities. SANYO will be combining its solar cell, rechargeable battery and commercial equipment to provide smart energy systems (SES) and rely on its commercial equipment, rechargeable batteries and HIT solar cells to develop the new business.
Full scale business operations are slated to begin in spring of 2010 and SANYO is advertising a four step framework to ensure early profitability. This includes the development of large-capacity and high-voltage lithium-ion battery systems, five billion yen invested in a new production plant at the Kasai plant (where demonstration testing is being carried out and public viewing will be an option to promote sales), collaboration with other industry-leading companies such as the Kajima Corporation and Lawson Inc., and finally the construction of a new promotion system (the Energy Solution Business Division) set up directly under SANYO’s president with an initial staff of around 70 people.
SANYO also plans to increase the energy solutions market from large-scale facilities, such as factories and high-rise buildings, to small and medium-scale facilities as retail stores, schools and homes. The company aims to reach a scale of operation of 100 billion yen for its energy solutions business by the end of the fiscal year in March 2016.
