Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., the Japanese unit of Royal Dutch Shell PLC, said Wednesday it will build a ¥15 billion plant to make solar-powered cells in Japan, quadrupling its capacity in the process.
The company said it plans to construct its second factory in Miyazaki Prefecture to produce solar-powered cells that can collectively generate 60 megawatts annually. The new plant will be adjacent to the company's existing 20 mw cell plant.
The new factory is slated to begin commercial operations in the first half of 2009, Showa Shell said.