TOKYO -- Panasonic is overhauling its solar cell production structure as it looks for a rebound in earnings at the business despite continued sluggish demand.
Production of power conditioners, a core component that converts direct-current electricity produced by sunlight into alternating-current, will be consolidated from three domestic plants to one. The company will negotiate with labor unions to decide before year-end whether to combine production to affiliates Technodevice in Tochigi Prefecture or Shimane Sanyo Electric in Shimane Prefecture. Panasonic's Tsu plant, which also makes wiring implements, will stop making power conditioners.
