Japan's Asahi Glass expands solar cell film business

The Asahi Glass Co. (TSE:5201) is boosting its solar cell film operations in anticipation of growing demand, as various countries undertake environment-related investments to stimulate their economies.

The company will soon acquire certification for color solar cell films from U.S. product compliance certification organization Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Asahi Glass' transparent film has already been certified, and the U.S. organization is currently evaluating the long-term heat resistance of the color films.

Asahi Glass ships its films for use in solar cell backsheets.

By expanding into color films, it will be better positioned to meet the various specifications its customers demand.

Backsheet manufacturers and electrical equipment companies typically acquire certification of their own products from Underwriters Laboratories.

By getting certification at the material stage, Asahi Glass hopes to increase sales by making it easier for companies using its materials to get certification.

Asahi Glass makes the film at a site in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, and is looking to double production capacity in stages by 2011.

It plans to boost annual solar cell film sales to Y3 billion ($US32.68 million) by 2011-2012, from several hundred million yen at present.