Japan-based Kyocera obtained a 3-busbar solar cell patent in Japan in September 2012. Some other Japan-based solar firms have been asking Taiwan-based solar cell OEM firms to change products to 2-busbar solar cells. This means products need to be re-certified by Japan-based customers and is likely to delay and prolong the procurement process.
Sharp, Kyocera and Panasonic which have been issuing OEM orders to Taiwan. Due to the solar incentive program initiated by the Japan government in July, more Japan-based firms have begun to construct solar PV systems and are issuing OEM orders to Taiwan.
The difference between 2- and 3-busbar solar cells is conversion efficiency. The efficiency of 3-busbar solar cell is about 0.2-0.4% higher than 2-busbar products. According to solar makers, 3-busbar products have accounted for two-thirds of total solar cells in second-half 2012, showing that 3-busbar products have become the mainstream.
Japan-based firms have also been increasing OEM orders to international firms. According to reports, Panasonic plans to procure 200MW of multi-crystalline solar modules from Europe-based REC annually.
Also, Sharp has begun to procure residential solar modules from US-based SunPower. Furthermore, Toshiba has announced high-efficiency solar modules that can produce up to 240W of power, solar cells in the product is also from SunPower. Toshiba hopes to increase its Japan market share to 10% in 2012 by expanding sales of residential solar PV systems.
