Solar Frontier KK's new solar-panel factory in southern Japan has the potential to produce more photovoltaic cells than any factory in the world once it is up and running in July. The solar company is part of one of Japan's largest oil company, Showa Shell Sekiyu KK. While some companies in the US, such as BP, are pulling back their investments in alternative fuel, Japan feels that now is the time to invest and it will begin to see major profits within the next year on solar energy. The new solar panels consist of thin-film CIS cells, which are made from copper, indium and selenium. They cost less overall than the thicker silicon-based crystalline cells. Analysts expect sales for solar panels to increase by five times its current rate.
Current reports state that solar energy is the largest growing source of energy among the alternative energy options and it is expected to keep growing in the future. If these reports stay consistent Japan could in fact change the landscape of the energy industry with this one factory within the next few years.
-Nicole Lombardo (DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI And MARI IWATA, Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703957804575603531119514328.html?mod=WSJ_Energy_leftHeadlines
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