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KYOCERA to Supply 405 Kilowatts of Renewable Solar Energy to Remote Villages of Fiji

Solar Modules Harness Power from the Abundant Island Sun

Scottsdale, AZ – August 13, 2012 - Kyocera Solar, Inc., a leading supplier of reliable solar modules and renewable energy, announced that its solar energy systems will power over 2000 homes in the Fiji Islands. The solar projects are in partnership with Fiji’s Department of Energy and the Fifth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting project (Palm 5) with the goal to bring renewable energy to remote villages of the island nation. To date, 135 kilowatts have been installed and the remaining 270 kilowatts will be completed by the end of the year. 

With these solar systems, rural villages are able to thrive without access to a traditional electric grid.  Each system will utilize Kyocera’s modules and the sun’s energy to provide basic lighting and other low-power needs on the islands.

Solar energy makes so much sense for island nations that often lack an electricity grid infrastructure but have an abundance of sunshine year-round,” said George Phani, sales manager for Kyocera Solar Australia. “With our Kyocera modules, many Fijians have been given light and other electricity into the night – maybe for the first time. We hope this program can serve as a template for other islands to follow."

Kyocera has partnered with Powerlite Generators (Fiji) Limited to install 3,000 solar modules throughout Fiji. Each system includes at least one 135-watt Kyocera module, a regulator, maintenance-free batteries, and both indoor and outdoor lighting. 

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. Recognized as a global leader and industry pioneer in solar power solutions, Kyocera is in a unique position to integrate its decades of experience into 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 3 gigawatts of solar collection equipment 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 (NYSE:KYO) (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.