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KYOCERA to Supply 34 Megawatts of U.S.-Made Solar Modules for Utility-Scale Installation

Arizona-based solar project will rank among North America's largest

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 21, 2012 -- Kyocera Solar, Inc., a leading supplier of reliable solar modules and renewable energy, announced today that it has begun shipments of 34 megawatts (MW) of its U.S.-made solar modules for a 127MW, utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) installation in southwestern Arizona. Production of the modules for this large-scale project will continue through March 2013.

Manufactured in Kyocera's San Diego production facility, the 245-watt and 315-watt modules will become part of the Arlington Valley Solar Energy II project ("AV Solar"), scheduled to begin operations in late 2013 on approximately 1,160 acres near Arizona's Hassayampa Substation in Maricopa County. Once complete, the project's 127MW-generating capacity will place it among the largest solar photovoltaic installations in North America.

"Kyocera is delighted to be chosen as a solar energy partner for this innovative installation, which will provide clean, renewable energy from the sun to Southern California," said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc. "Projects like AV Solar demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and low risk of investing in Kyocera's multicrystal silicon solar technology, which has been proven over four decades in thousands of working applications worldwide."

The AV Solar project is being developed by LS Power Group and will be the company's largest solar facility to date. Renewable energy produced by the project will be sold to San Diego Gas & Electric.

"The long-standing experience and documented reliability of Kyocera's high-efficiency modules and its ability to provide a stable supply in mass-production volumes made the company a clear choice for this project," said John King, Executive Vice President, LS Power.

"We've seen the solar industry expand exponentially in the last decade, which has also brought in many unproven companies," Hill continued. "We're confident Kyocera will continue to lead the market with our long-standing, reliable modules."

About KYOCERA

Kyocera is one of the world's largest vertically integrated producers and suppliers of solar photovoltaic modules and systems. With a 37-year history of innovation in solar technology, the company is recognized as a global leader and industry pioneer in solar power solutions -- and is in a unique position to integrate decades of experience into its product development and support for both residential and industrial clients across the globe. Kyocera serves thousands of customers in both developed and developing regions, with more than 1.2 gigawatts of solar collection equipment and more than 7 million modules installed since 1975. The company has set repeated world records in multicrystal silicon cell efficiency and most recently gained the distinction of producing the world's first modules to pass the Long-Term Sequential Test for reliability performed by TUV Rheinland Japan Ltd.

Kyocera Solar, Inc. is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona with regional sales affiliates in the Americas and Australia.

Kyocera Corporation (tokyo:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/ ), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "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 power generating systems, printers, copiers, telecommunications equipment, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2012, the company's net sales totaled 1.19 trillion yen (approx. USD14.5 billion). The company is ranked #426 on Forbes magazine's 2012 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.

SOURCE: Kyocera Solar, Inc.