Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan has been actively searching for ways to produce clean, safe energy. Well if Kyocera (NYSE: KYO) has its way, that search may be getting a lot easier. The company just launched a 70MW offshore solar plant and recently announced it was partnering with Mitsui to build massive (19.6MW) solar park in Osaka, Japan. Kyocera seems positioned strongly to benefit from a Japanese government mandate for utilities to buy 100% of energy from certain renewable plants.
Investors looking for a diversified energy technology company may be interested to know that Kyocera is also developing a nice presence in the U.S., which could actually expand as a result of initiatives to supply clean power in California. Plus the company has a relationship with Dominion (D 0.47%) for a solar project in Connecticut. Kyocera has upped its sales target to 1.2 gigawatts for this fiscal year on the heels of stronger demand for their quality solar products similar to SunPower (SPWR 7.34%). Kyocera's quality was most evident by the strength their solar modules in Colorado which are still performing at 95% effectiveness 10 years post being installed.
