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KYOCERA Names New President for U.S.-Based Solar Energy Unit

Company veteran Steven C. Hill to lead KYOCERA's solar business in the Americas and Australia

SAN DIEGO, CA. (January, 15, 2004) – Kyocera International, Inc. (KII) today announced that it has named Mr. Steven C. Hill as president of Kyocera Solar, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. that markets photovoltaic modules and solar electric generating systems.

Hill, who joined Kyocera in December 1988, served most recently as the national sales manager for Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corporation’s semiconductor processing equipment parts. He was instrumental in making that business one of Kyocera’s fastest-growing North American divisions. His promotion follows the recent resignation of Douglas Allday, who had served as president of Kyocera Solar, Inc. since July 2000. 

“Kyocera Solar has been serving the U.S. market since 1980 as a leading supplier of solar electric energy solutions,” said Isao Yukawa, managing director of Kyocera Corporation, the group’s global parent company, and general manager of its Corporate Solar Energy Division. “Our goal is to support energy independence, promote environmental preservation and save the Earth.”

Rodney Lanthorne, president of Kyocera International, Inc. and director of Kyocera Corporation, stated, “The growth opportunities for Kyocera’s solar energy business are virtually limitless. Under Steve Hill’s leadership, we expect the sales and marketing execution of Kyocera Solar, Inc. to be significantly improved as we make a strong contribution to renewable energy and the preservation of our fragile ecosystem.”

Hill, in commenting on the promotion, stated, “I am a strong advocate of Kyocera’s corporate philosophy to live and work in harmony with society. This philosophy is closely aligned with the environmental ideals of the solar energy industry. My immediate goal for Kyocera Solar, Inc. is to enhance our market penetration and execution by collaborating more closely with our global parent company and by sharpening our market focus.”

About KYOCERA
Kyocera Solar, Inc. (www.kyocerasolar.com) is a world-leading supplier of environmentally sound, solar electric energy solutions. With operating headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz., and regional sales centers in Brazil and Australia, Kyocera Solar, Inc. serves thousands of customers in both developed and developing regions. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.

Kyocera Corporation, parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of 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 energy systems, telecommunications equipment, electronic components and packages, cameras, laser printers, copiers and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2003, the company’s net sales totaled 1.06 trillion yen ($9.0 billion) with net income of 41.1 billion yen ($348 million).