Tokyo, June 12, 2007 - Honda Soltec Co., Ltd., Honda's wholly-owned solar cell subsidiary, has begun sales of thin film solar cells produced by Honda Engineering Co., Ltd., primarily in the Kanto area through distributors which also provide solar cell installation service.
The thin film solar cell developed independently by Honda uses thin film made from a compound of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS), which makes the solar cell more environmentally-responsible by focusing on the reduction of CO2 generated even during the production stage.
Starting from this fall, Honda Soltec will mass produce solar cells at the new plant with annual capacity of 27.5 megawatts, resulting in the expansion of sales throughout Japan.
In 2006, Honda announced a global CO2 reduction target for its products and the manufacturing of those products. In addition to its effort to reduce CO2 emissions, Honda is focusing on the development and sales of energy-creation products such as cogeneration units and thin film solar cells in order to further accelerate its efforts to reduce the threat of global warming.
Solar Cell Module Specifications:
| Type: | CIGS (copper, indium, gallium and selenium) |
| Maximum Output per module (W): | 125* |
| Size (mm): | 1,417 × 791 × 37 |
| Wight (kg): | 14.3 |
| Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: | 60,375 yen (tax-inclusive price) (price exclusive of tax: 57,500 yen) |
- *This figure for the maximum output was measured by Honda under the conditions of AM1.5, solar radiation intensity of 1kW/m2, and module temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
- *Operating ambient temperature range: 40 to -20 degrees Celsius.
- *The maximum output will differ depending on solar radiation intensity, installation conditions (direction, angle, surrounding environment), geographical area, and temperature conditions. 06.
Honda Engineering Thin Film Solar Cell Module
About Honda Soltec Co., Ltd.:
| Establishment: | December 1, 2006 |
| Headquarters Location: | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Kumamoto Factory 1500 Hirakawa, Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto |
| Sales Office Location: | Wako-shi, Saitama |
| Capital Investment: | 4 billion yen |
| Capitalization ratio: | 100% Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
| Representative: | President:Akio Kazusa |
| Employment: | Approximately 150 associates (at full production) |
| Production Capacity: | Approximately 27.5MW (approx. for 9,000 houses with 3kW system) |
Honda Soltec (to begin operation this fall)
About Honda Engineering Co., Ltd.:
| Establishment: | September, 1970 |
| Headquarters Location: | Haga-gun, Tochigi |
| Capital Investment: | 3.6 billion yen |
| Capitalization ratio: | 100% Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
| Representative: | President: Gen Tsujii |
| Business: | Establishment of production systems and production lines, and development of machine tools. |