Sales in its “eco solutions” division — which produces solar panels, among other products — rose 2% on the year to ¥1.2tln.

The division recorded a 7% year-on-year jump in profit to ¥75.7bn, primarily due to an increase in sales of its HIT solar modules in Japan’s residential PV market.

However, it did not reveal specific PV shipment data.

The Osaka-based group left its fiscal 2015 forecast unchanged.

In