Kyocera Corporation announced that it has achieved a new world record of 16.6% module efficiency (aperture-area efficiency of 17.3%)* for multicrystalline silicon solar modules using 54 cells in the development stage. To achievethis record, Kyocera further improved its proprietary "Back Contact"technology and module design to optimize the performance of each cell, thus increasing overall energy conversion efficiency. Kyocera, which possesses a fully-integrated production system -- from processing raw silicon material to manufacturing cells and modules -- continually advances its technology to yield higher energy efficiency from its solar cells and modules.
 
Kyocera's Back Contact technology moves electrode wiring that is typically arranged on the surface of the cell to the back side, thus increasing the light capturing surface area to maximize energy conversion efficiency. Kyocera has achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 18.5% for individual solar cells in the development stage.
 
Since starting its solar energy business in 1975, Kyocera has madecontinuous advancements in solar technology in order to help deliverthe blessings of the sun to the world. Constantly seeking ways to enhance its solar cell manufacturing, Kyocera has enlarged the cell size to increase the energy yield per cell, and minimized the thickness of cells to decrease the amount of raw material required.
 
*Aperture-area efficiency is limited to the inner surface area of a module where the cells are arranged, whereas, module efficiency includes the framing area of the module. Based on research by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) (Japan), current as of December 2009.
 
For more information about Kyocera solar energy: http://global.kyocera.com/prdct/solar/
 
About KYOCERA
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971)(http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advancedceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, electronic components, laser printers, copiers, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. Duringthe year ended March 31, 2009, the company's net sales totaled 1.13 trillion yen (approximately USD11.5 billion). The company, which marks its 50th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of its U.S. operations this fiscal year, is ranked #418 on Forbes magazine's 2009 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.