DAINIPPON SCREEN TO PRODUCE SOLAR PANEL MANUFACTURING DEVICES

The Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co. (TSE:7735) plans to enter the market for solar panel manufacturing equipment by converting and then selling devices used in the production of LCD panels.

Given the rapid expansion of the solar cell market worldwide, the company aims to make the new business a major source of earnings after its mainstay semiconductor and LCD panel manufacturing devices.

In July, it will start selling in Japan and abroad equipment used to clean substrates, detect defects and apply photosensitizing agents for the production of thin-film solar cell panels, a process that is similar to the one used to make LCD panels.

In fiscal 2009, it plans to start mass-producing in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, devices specifically machinery to make solar battery panels.

(Nikkei)