January 5, 2009

Tokyo, Japan: Toshiba to Market Photovoltaic Systems

Toshiba Corporation today announced its full-scale entry into the solar photovoltaic systems business. On January 1, Toshiba's Transmission Distribution & Industrial Systems Company established the Photovoltaic Systems Division, a dedicated business management and promotion organization that will take the initiative in responding to a surge in demand for solar photovoltaic systems.

Toshiba will secure orders for large solar power generation systems by drawing on its competitive advantages.

In components, the company's expertise includes high-efficiency power conditioning systems and the SCiB—the Super Charge ion Battery—Toshiba's breakthrough rechargeable battery that offers excellent safety, long life and rapid charging.

In system integration, Toshiba can point to world-class capabilities in system integration, particularly in connecting generation systems to distribution systems; in microgrids that connect and manage dispersed small-scale power generation sources, including renewable energy sources; and in large plant system engineering capabilities.

In fiscal year 2015, Toshiba says the global solar photovoltaic systems market for utility and industrial plants is expected to reach 2.2 trillion yen (approximately US$24.4 billon) from that of 1.2 trillion yen (approximately US$13.3 billion) in fiscal year 2008.

Toshiba will promote business expansion by utilizing existing global sales channels and expects to achieve an annual business scale of about 200 billion yen (approximately US$2.2 billion) by fiscal year 2015.

Toshiba will seek a rapid expansion of the business by focusing on renewable energy and energy-saving products and technologies, including SCiB. Toshiba's ultimate goal is a business expansion that addresses customers' needs and makes progress alongside the company's long-term contributions to a better environment.

Further details about: Toshiba