Solar Frontier signs site agreement to build new solar module plant in Tohoku, Japan

Japan-based Solar Frontier has entered into the the site agreement with the Miyagi prefectural government and the Ohiramura local government to construct new solar module plant in Tohoku .

According to the company, the new plant will be the fourth technologically-advanced copper, indium, selenium (CIS) module plant in the country.

The plant will be equipped with Solar Frontier’s latest mass-production technology for the production of higher efficiency CIS thin-film modules.

Construction of the solar module plant is slated to begin in March 2014, while the commercial operations will start in March 2015, said the company.

The solar modules produced at the proposed Tohoku plant will primarily be sold in the local region, according to the company.

Miyagi Prefecture governor Yoshihiro Murai said the new solar module plant in Tohoku will be helpful in creating new job and business opportunities.

"I am confident it will promote green businesses and the development of clean, renewable energy in Miyagi and across the region," added Murai.

Solar Frontier president and representative director Hiroto Tamai said the company’s CIS modules generate more kilowatt-hours in actual operating conditions as compared to crystalline modules.

"The Tohoku Plant will harness our latest technology to produce high efficiency CIS modules and will serve as a blueprint for our future mass production facilities outside of Japan," Tamai added.

"Miyagi Prefecture put us on the path toward new global growth.", while we maintain high quality standards from our production bases in Japan."

Headquartered in Tokyo, Solar Frontier is engaged in developing and manufacturing CIS solar modules, and operates offices in Europe, the US and the Middle East.