Japan’s Kyocera to supply modules to 204 MW Thailand solar energy project

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) announced that it has agreed to supply roughly one million solar modules equivalent to 204-megawatts (MW) for Thailand’s largest solar power project, which is being implemented by Solar Power Co., Ltd. Under the project, 6MW "Solar Farms" are to be constructed at 34 sites concentrated in northeastern Thailand.

In total, the Solar Farm project will provide electricity for the local area with an annual power output sufficient for roughly 170,000 average Thai households.

"We chose Kyocera modules for this project due to their high quality and reliability, and the company’s 35 years of experience in the industry. With these we plan to deliver the benefits of the sun’s energy to the people of Thailand," stated the president of Solar Power Co., Ltd., Ms. Wandee Khunchornyakong.

The Solar Farm Project is being planned, constructed and managed by Solar Power Co., Ltd., and the power generated from the project will be routed to the Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand (PEA) and then supplied to homes and businesses. The project plans to build 34 individual 6MW Solar Farms for a total output of 204MW.

In order to reduce its energy dependency, Thailand has been aggressively pursuing the adoption of energy-saving products and alternative energies. Moreover, blessed with good weather and a high amount of annual solar radiation, the use of solar power is expected to grow in the future. Since the introduction of a feed-in-tariff in 2007 the implementation of solar power has begun in earnest. Furthermore, the Thai Government has announced a plan to install 500MW of solar power by 2022.

"Kyocera is honored to be able to contribute to meeting the renewable energy targets of Thailand," stated Kyocera Corporation vice president and general manager of the Corporate Solar Energy Group, Mr. Tatsumi Maeda. "We have a proven track record of supplying modules for large-scale solar power plants across the globe, including projects in Spain, Germany and the U.S., and we will deliver a stable supply of high-quality products for the completion of this project."

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, electronic components, printers, copiers, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2010, the company’s net sales totaled 1.07 trillion yen (approximately USD11.5 billion). The company is ranked #554 on Forbes magazine’s 2010 "Global 2000" listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.

Solar Power Company Limited (SPC) is the leading Solar Farm developer in Thailand. Established in 1996 with the sole focus of developing grid-connected solar farm projects through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV), SPC is in charge of engineering, procurement and construction, as well as operation and maintenance (O&M) services for other solar power project developers.

www.solarpower.co.th/

http://global.kyocera.com/