Solar History

2007

Cell efficiency at research and development level: 22.3 %.

Ramp-up of Hungary production facility for production of HIT HD Module.

Market launch of the 215W photovoltaic module

Efficiency: Cell: 19.3 % / Module: 17.2 %

2005

Commencement of mass production of HIT photovoltaic modules at the SANYO production facility in Hungary.

2003

Establishment of the Nishikinohama production facility, where solar cells and modules are manufactured.Market launch of the maximumefficiency 200W photovoltaic module.             

Efficiency:Cell: 19.5 %Module: 17.0 %

2002

Market launch of the 190W photovoltaic module.

Efficiency: Cell: 18.5 % / Module: 16.1 %

2001

Completion of the largest photovoltaic power generating system in the world at the Gifu production facility: the SANYO Solar Ark.

1998

Market launch of the 180W photovoltaic module.

Efficiency:Cell: 17.3 %Module: 15.2 %

1997

Market launch of HIT solar cells.Market launch of the 170W photovoltaic module.

Efficiency:Cell: 16.4 %Module: 14.4 %

1994

Market launch of photovoltaic power generation systems for residential buildings.

1992

First installation of a grid-connected photovoltaic power generation system for residential buildings.

1990

First steps in the development of HIT solar cells.

1980

First commercial production of amorphous silicon cells in the world.

1975

Development of the first solar cells made of amorphous silicon.

1950 

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. established

1947

Toshio Iue founded the company SANYO in Osaka, Japan, to produce the first dynamo-powered lamps for bicycles