NPC incorporated | Global leader of solar module manufacturing equipment

NPC has been providing PV module manufacturing equipment to the global market for about 30 years.

By utilizing our expertise and experience in development of automation machines, we provide vacuum-related machines, hadling machines, assembly machines for parts, etc. other than PV module manufacturing equipment.

Please see "Machinery Business" from here for more details.

Target of our PV module manufacturing equipment

We offer custom-made high-end manufacturing equipment, which is required to manufacture thin film modules and special-purpose crystalline modules (such as BIPV modules and satellite solar modules). As an equipment manufacturer in this field, we have no specific competitor. Our main customers are PV module manufacturers in the US and Japan. Among other companies, we have done business with our largest customer, US-based First Solar (listed on NASDAQ), for nearly 20 years.We also target next-generation PV modules such as perovskite PV. Perovskite stands for a name of a crystal structure. Using this structure, PV modules can be manufactured with coating technology at low-cost. As this technology enables soft and light-weight PV modules which can be installed where crystalline modules cannot be installed, it is regarded as a key technology in energy transition. Researches are underway for mass production.

Crystalline modules account for approximately 90% of PV module market. They are used for purposes such as mega solar power plants or general in-house power generation and mainly manufactured by Chinese and Korean PV module manufacturers. In addition, the manufacturing process for general panels is standardized and Chinese equipment manufacturers provide manufacturing equipment. We do not offer manufacturing equipment for these modules.

We have provided a variety of services for all aspects from the manufacturing of PV modules through recycling of solar panels, offering solar power plant inspection equipment, inspection services, reuse and recycling, panel disassembly equipment, and other offerings.

We provide solar panel disassembly machine for recycling in Japan and overseas. Our "Heated Blade Separation Method" enables high recycling rate.

Please see "Environmental Business" from here for more details.

We cultivate vegetables for sale in plant factory using artificial light to contribute to stable food supply, that is becoming an issue due to climate change.

Plant factories are powered through in-house solar power generation using the rooftop solar power system to reduce utility costs and achieve clean energy production. We employ reused solar panels in the solar power system, establishing a recycling business model.

We mainly address local needs in Ehime Prefecture to realize local production for local consumption.

Please see "Hakohime" from here for more details.

Development of automation machines for waste treatment companies such as automatic sorting machine for PET bottles.

We are also conducting research and development to ferment poultry manure with methane and turn the residue into fertilizer.

We will develop businesses that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as stable food supply, waste recycling, labor shortages and improvement of the working environment in the industrial waste industry,etc.

Matsuyama Factory, our production base, has 130 employees and all the manufacturing functions such as Research and development, design, manufacturing, and maintenance.

This system enables quick and accurate response to requests from customers.

The 5 specious assembly buildings (height: 8m, area: 40 x 100m) assure vast space for manufacturing any kind of equipment including a large-scale lines. We enhance production capacity by consigning some assembly work to cooperated companies.

We have delivered equipment to more than 50 countries around the world and met local safety standards including the European CE standards.

In particular, we can meet the safety standards required in the U.S. market such as the UL and NEC and manufacture machines using Rockwell controllers as required by U.S. customers based on more than 25 years’ experience in the country. In addition, one of our advantages is our manufacturing base with engineers stationed in Michigan, from which we can locally provide technical support and market our products to Japanese companies.

Since we entered the PV module industry in 1994, we have developed automation machines for the junction, application, automatic material supply, transfer, image processing and other processes, starting with vacuum laminators based on the vacuum technology, and provided them as an integrated manufacturing line. We now provide equipment as energy-saving solutions in diverse industries including the electronic parts, automotive and display industries by leveraging the technologies and insights we have accumulated for over 25 years to design and manufacture automation machines for industries other than the PV module industry as well. Please see here for more details.

Starting with PV module manufacturing equipment, we have provided a variety of services for all aspects from the manufacturing of PV modules through recycling of solar panels, offering solar power plant inspection equipment, inspection services, reuse and recycling, panel disassembly equipment, and other offerings. We used to be involved in contract manufacturing (OEM production) of PV modules and have developed solar-related businesses based on this experience.

All of our inside directors have an engineer background and 30 years’ experience in the machine manufacturing industry including the solar industry.

Not only are they familiar with the solar industry, since each member of the management team has a network of contacts and information sources based on their many years of business experience, our company can make appropriate business decisions. In addition, because many of our employees are experienced engineers who have worked for us for a long time, we have a framework where skilled engineers develop younger engineers.

We have contributed to the spread and sound operation as well as sustainable development of renewable energy through providing equipment and solar-related services.

We will continue to deploy businesses that contribute to sustainability around the PV modules and solar panels, for example, through developing businesses in new fields to address climate change and recycling-related equipment.

Please see here for more details.

■Patent

■Compliance with overseas safety standards

■License, registration, and permission