“Most of our solar sales are in Japan now,” says spokesman Chieko Gyobu.

Slumping PV demand in Europe has prompted the Osaka company to refocus its strategy on primarily selling its HIT monocrystalline modules – which boast a 24.7% conversion efficiency rate – in Japan. And it specifically designed a modified version of its panels, known as HIT “Half Type” modules, to provide maximum surface coverage on relatively small Japanese rooftops.

Gyobu