Photovoltaic Power Generation

Toshiba Group will contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions by providing photovoltaic power generation systems that achieve high levels of efficiency and longterm stability to a wide range of facilities, including power plants, factories and homes.

High efficiency solar panels for homes

Toshiba Corp. entered the residential solar photovoltaic power generation system business in April 2010. Since the release of its first model, Toshiba's solar battery modules for homes have increased module conversion efficiency to the highest level in the world by taking in sunlight efficiently even when placed on Japanese houses' small roofs and by maximizing power generation output. In September 2011, Toshiba started selling modules with the world's highest module conversion efficiency^*1 (19.3%). While conventional solar battery modules have electrodes on the cell surface, Toshiba adopted a backcontact method, placed all electrodes on the back of each panel to increase the light reception area, and used an antireflection film to reduce the loss of light caused by reflection, thereby improving power generation efficiency. Toshiba's solar battery modules, which do not have electrodes on their surface, are also designed to be slim and have a sophisticated appearance. In July 2012, we added a Black Model^*2 solar battery module to our product portfolio to promote photovoltaic power generation. The Black Model module improves power generation efficiency by using an anti-reflection film that minimizes the loss of light caused by reflection and has a sophisticated black design.

Worldwide development of mega solar systems made possible by total engineering

By using its comprehensive engineering skills acquired through the development of large-scale plants, Toshiba Group offers a full range of services, from installing solar battery modules to establishing connection to power supply networks, by total engineering that includes analysis, design and construction in order to provide mega solar systems that achieve the highest levels of efficiency and longterm stability. In Japan, we have received seven contracts for mega solar systems for electric power companies; these systems together have a total power generation capacity of 25 MW and are all currently in operation. We have delivered photovoltaic power generation devices to more than 200 public and industrial facilities in June 2012, and will seek further contracts for industrial mega solar systems. Overseas, we have received contracts for and delivered mega solar power generation systems mainly via our production sites in Europe and North America. We will further promote the use of industrial photovoltaic power generation systems, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions.

A photovoltaic power generation system needs to convert DC electricity generated by sunlight into AC electricity. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to create an efficient system designed to minimize conversion loss.

Toshiba provides power conditioners with the highest level of power conversion efficiency in the industry^*1; these devices provide large amounts of power even during seasons and hours of the day with little sunlight and are highly efficient even when outputting small amounts of power. These power conditioners, which have a footprint of only 1 ㎡ ^*3 (1 m × 1 m), are designed to save space and be easy to maintain. They are available in three types (100 kW, 250 kW and 500 kW) to facilitate use in a wide range of systems.

Contracts for mega solar power plants

Tokyo Electric Power Company's Ukishima Solar Power Plant

Alessandria Eat in Italy

Tahara Solar/Wind Cooperative Commercial Operation

Extension of the Niigata Tobu Voltaic Power Plant

*1

According to our internal data as of June 2012

*2

The Black Model is not designed to use the back-contact method.

*3

With 250-kW power conditioners

• Toshiba Photovoltaic Systems (A separate window will open.)