Solar Frontier starts production at Tohoku CIS Plant
CIS solar technology maker Solar Frontier has started commercial production at its 150MW Tohoku solar panel factory in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
Compared to Solar Frontier's main production plant in southern Japan, the 900MW Kunitomi Plant, the Tohoku Plant requires only two-thirds the investment and manpower per megawatt. It also requires only one-third the time to manufacture a CIS solar panel, according to the company.
Solar Frontier first announced its decision to build the Tohoku Plant in December, 2013. After completing its construction in April 2015, Solar Frontier began ramping up the newly installed production lines. The Tohoku Plant now manufactures CIS solar panels of the same grade and higher compared to the Kunitomi Plant, initiating the decision to start sales.
New Tohoku Plant modules will first go on sale this summer in their home prefecture of Miyagi before they will be made available in other areas in Japan. Solar Frontier aims to provide solar panels with output of 180W and beyond once the Tohoku Plant reaches full production.
On top of power output, new features offer new benefits for installers and end-users. The addition of a busbar in the middle of the module, for example, improves the panel's ability to perform when partially covered by shadows. Another key feature is lower module voltage, which enables greater flexibility when designing systems. Tohoku-produced panels also include modifications to the frame and junction box, making installation and maintenance easier.
The start of commercial production at the Tohoku Plant marks the continued successful cooperation between Solar Frontier, Ohira Village and Miyagi Prefecture. Through its new technology, Solar Frontier is harnessing the power of the sun to provide a cleaner, more comfortable life for everyone.
