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Sanyo to Spend Y19 Billion to Boost Solar Cell Capacity
December 20, 2006 (Reuters)
- Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd…will spend 19 billion yen (US$161 million) to more than double its solar cell production capacity to better compete with larger rivals such as Sharp Corp.

- Solar cells are one of the core businesses of the struggling consumer electronics maker, which also focuses on rechargeable batteries, digital cameras and mobile phones.
- [Osaka-based] Sanyo…competes with Sharp and Germany's Q-Cells…will spend about 9 billion yen in the business year starting next April and 10 billion yen in the following year to boost its annual capacity to 350 megawatts from the current 165 megawatts…aims to boost its solar cell sales by 18 percent to 56 billion yen (US$474.9 million) or more in the year to next March 31….2.5 percent of its group sales forecast…
- Global solar cell sales are rising rapidly due to higher oil prices and growing demand for renewable energy sources…