Showa Shell to build 2nd solar cell plant

Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K. said it would invest about ¥15 billion (US$127 million) to build a second solar cell production plant in Miyazaki Prefecture, western Japan. Its solar cells do not use silicon, a material that is now in tight supply due to continued strong industrial demand, which will allow the company to produce lower-cost solar cells. Growth in the domestic market has slowed down since 2005, when the Japanese government terminated subsidies for households using solar panels. Global demand has been rising at an average of 40% a year, however, due to concerns about global warming, said Kazuki Kakegawa, general manager of sales and marketing for Showa Shell Solar K.K. (August 15, 2007)