Toshiba will enter the solar market

Japan's Toshiba Electronics Group has said it will enter the solar power market through its branch to increase the total power output from this energy source to 6,500kW in fiscal year 2013 ending on March 31, 2014.

The group began deploying solar power production at its facility located in Yokohama this week and facilities located in Kikugawa, Shizuoka and Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture in October.

Another Toshiba factory in Hyogo will also go into operation in January 2014. The capacity of these four facilities will range from 1,500kW to 2,000kW.

The annual amount of electricity produced from each of these 1,500kW units will provide enough electricity for about 550 households.

Toshiba forecasts sales of solar electricity will reach several hundred million yen in fiscal year 2014.