Kyocera (KYO)

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Kyocera Corporation (Kyocera) develops, produces and distributes various kinds of products mainly for the telecommunications and information processing, and environmental protection markets. Kyocera was founded in 1959 as Kyoto Ceramic, which speaks of its technical origin. The Company has 180 group companies and employs 63,477 staff.

Kyocera develops, produces and distributes a variety of parts and devices for electronic equipment, such as computers, automobiles, printers and copiers, as well as consumer electronic products, such as mobile phone handsets, digital cameras and digital televisions. It also offers fine ceramic components. It operates through eight business segments: Fine Ceramic Parts Group, Semiconductor Parts Group, Applied Ceramic Products Group, Electronic Device Group, Telecommunications Equipment Group, Information Equipment Group, Optical Equipment Group and Others.

The Company's customers include individuals, corporations, governments and governmental agencies. Its manufacturing and distribution operations are conducted worldwide. In 2007, consolidated net sales reached 1,283,897 million yen (~$10 billion USD) and net income, 106,504 million yen (~$1 billion USD).

[edit] Solar Energy Products

Kyocera is often quoted as a major player in Renewable Energy. This line of business is conducted through Kyocera Solar within the Applied Ceramic Products segment. In 2007, Kyocera has secured silicon materials to increase solar production output up to 500 megawatts by 2011.

In 2005, Kyocera had a solar market share of 8%. Other competitors, with 2005 market share^[1], include:

• SunPower (SPWR) (insignificant in 2005) - One of the fastest growing solar companies, with one of the most efficient cells around
• Sharp Electronics (24%) - The largest photovoltaic cell manufacturer in the world
• Suntech Power Holdings (4%) - A Chinese photovoltaic cell company that is muscling its way into world solar markets
• JA Solar Holdings, (insignificant in 2005) - A Chinese PV company that only sells monocrystalline solar cells; it lets its customers take care of building the modules and systems.
• Solarfun Power Holdings (insignificant in 2005) - Another Chinese PV company that operates 90% in Europe and makes most of its money by selling modules, rather than individual cells.
• Evergreen Solar (insignificant in 2005) - A solar company that produces string ribbon PV cells and operates at all production levels from silicon wafer to power system.
• Q-Cells (9%) - A privately owned, German solar manufacturer
• First Solar (insignificant in 2005) - A thin cell solar panel manufacturer that uses cadmium telluride instead of silicon for its cells.
• BP (5%), Mitsubishi (6%), and Sanyo (7%) - Not primarily photovoltaic cell manufacturers, but heavy market competitors nonetheless.
• EMCORE (insignificant in 2005) - A Concentrated Photovoltaic System manufacturer that uses Gallium arsenide PV cells and got its start in the solar business making power cells for satellites.
• Energy Conversion Devices - This company uses amorphous thin-film silicon in its ultra-thin, albeit low-efficiency solar cells.

[edit] Notes

1. ↑ CIBC Initiating Coverage, SOLF, January 29th, 2007
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} [http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=46286
3. ↑ Forbes - Sun King; SunPower's New Solar Panel Is 22% Efficient
4. ↑ SharpUSA Product Brochure
5. ↑ Kyocera - Solar Timeline
6. ↑ Solarfun Website
7. ↑ http://jasolar.com/Web/products-en.asp
8. ↑ TSL 20-F 2007 Pg. 7
9. ↑ ESLR 2007 Earnings Call Transcript, Page 1
10. ↑ EMCORE.com: Terrestrial Solar Cells and Receivers"
11. ↑ ENER F1Q08 Earnings Call Transcript, Page 5
12. ↑ DSTI 10-k 2007 Pg 1
13. ↑ Ascent First Quarter 2008 10-Q Pg 23