More Solar Panel Manufacturing in the U.S. with new Kyocera Solar plant

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — March 3, 2010 — Kyocera Solar, Inc. today announced plans to begin manufacturing solar modules in San Diego, Calif., to serve the U.S.market’s growing demand for clean energy. The U.S. module manufacturing will support a new milestone for Kyocera’s solar energy business — global production capacity targeting 1,000 megawatts of solar cells per year (equal to one “gigawatt” per year) by March 2013.

“Today’s announcement is further proof that California’s nation-leading green policies play a vital role in our state’s economic success,” said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Even in this recession, green jobs inCalifornia have grown steadily, and Kyocera’s decision to locate its solar manufacturing operations in San Diego will create even more jobs at a time when they are needed most.”

The new solar module manufacturing will begin in San Diego at Kyocera’s Balboa Avenue facility during the first half of 2010, with an initial production target of 30 megawatts per year. The new operations will leverage Kyocera’s world-class U.S.manufacturing capabilities to produce the company’s most powerful and efficient solar modules. The production venue was selected to cater specifically to the U.S.market’s increasing demand for large-scale solar electric generating systems.

“The U.S. is experiencing extraordinary growth in its adoption of solar electricity,” said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc. “Kyocera’s San Diego plant will provide high-quality, high-efficiency solar modules to serve this expanding market. With a 35-year commitment to providing clean energy through solar modules, Kyocera is adding capacity globally to meet worldwide demand.”

Check out the current panels that Kyocera sells through the PVPower.com store: http://www.pvpower.com/kyocera-solar.aspx