Panasonic Reaches Full-scale Production of HIT^®1 Solar Modules in Malaysia

Kulim Kedah, 30 August 2013 - Panasonic Energy Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PECMY), a solar manufacturing company in Malaysia, established by Panasonic Corporation in December 2011, started full-scale production at its solar module manufacturing factory in Malaysia today. With an annual production capacity of 300 MW, the factory in Kulim Hi-Tech Park in the northwestern state of Kedah, will manufacture HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer) solar modules, bringing Panasonic’s overall annual production capacity to 900 MW. The Panasonic HIT solar modules offer top-class solar cell conversion efficiency of 22.0%. This new manufacturing facility will help Panasonic meet robust solar demand while further enhancing cost competitiveness.

The global solar market is expected to grow further with increasing environmental awareness and the introduction of stimulus measures such as feed-in tariffs and subsidies in various countries, including Japan and Malaysia.

To meet the growing demand, Panasonic established the new factory in Malaysia in December 2011, started construction in March 2012, and started production in December 2012. Today, PECMY has reached full-scale mass production.

This solar factory has established a fully-integrated solar manufacturing system producing wafers to solar cells and modules, not only to strengthen cost competitiveness through reduced transportation costs and the use of local materials, but also to provide a stable product supply through flexible responses to demand fluctuations around the world.

Mr. Yasuyoshi Kawanishi, Managing Director, Panasonic Energy Company Malaysia, commented, “With energy consumption increasing worldwide, alternative energy sources can help support this demand more effectively. We have come a long way since mass production of Panasonic HIT solar cells in 1997. Today, Panasonic’s first fully-integrated solar manufacturing facility, producing wafers, solar cells and modules, has reached full scale production. This robust production site will enhance solar business not only in the Japanese market, where demand is brisk, but also the global market including the ASEAN region. We hope Panasonic HIT solar modules can contribute to reducing carbon footprint, as well as enable even more people to have access to clean energy.”

Capitalizing on its solar manufacturing capabilities, Panasonic will step up efforts to provide integrated solar solutions combining modules with power conditioners, solar tracker bases, storage batteries and other components to meet the needs of diverse customers and expand its business.

Overview of the solar factory

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and engineering of electronic technologies and solutions for customers in residential, non-residential, mobility and personal applications. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates over 500 consolidated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.30 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2013. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company strives to create a better life and a better world for its customers. For more information about Panasonic, please visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.

About Panasonic Energy Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Panasonic Energy Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PECMY) was established in Kulim Hi-Tech Park in December 2011. As a subsidiary of the Solar Business Unit, the manufacturing facility produces HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer) solar modules, which offer top-class cell conversion efficiency. This facility is the first fully-integrated solar manufacturing base for Panasonic, producing wafers, solar cells, and modules. The company strives to provide customers not only with high quality Panasonic HIT solar modules, but also Panasonic Total Energy Solutions which enable them to create, store, and manage energy efficiently.

¹ HIT is a trademark of the Panasonic Group