Solar Frontier K.K. plans to sell solar panels incorporated into roofing and wall materials, taking on Tesla Inc. in building technology that can generate power in the smallest spaces available.
Solar Frontier, a wholly owned unit of Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., is speaking with potential partners and aiming for the second half of 2019 to begin sales, Chief Executive Officer Atsuhiko Hirano said in an interview at the company's Tokyo headquarters.
The maker of thin-film photovoltaic panels is entering a business where Tesla created a buzz last year with sleek designs and upscale marketing.