The objective of SANYO’s energy solution business will be to provide Sanyo smart energy systems (SanyoSES) that reduce running costs by saving energy while greatly reducing CO₂ emissions.

With an SES, electricity from solar panels or from the grid, drawn late at night when power rates are cheaper, is stored in rechargeable batteries. Power conditioners are then utilised to ensure the most efficient use of power for refrigerated showcases, air conditioning, and lighting, SANYO says.

Although full-scale business operations are scheduled for the spring of next year, SANYO is now promoting the following steps to ensure early profitability:

1. Development of large-capacity and high-voltage lithium-ion battery systems (sales to begin in spring 2010);
2. Acceleration of product development based on demonstration testing (~5 billion yen is being invested in a new production facility at the Kasai plant);
3. Collaboration with other companies according to product characteristics (e.g. initiative with Kajima Corporation concerning installation methods, an initiative with Lawson convenience stores); and
4. Constructing a framework for promotion (an independent organisation, the Energy Solution Business Division, will coordinate the technology development, sales strategy, quality control, and service development functions).

While the solar photovoltaic (PV) system and rechargeable battery businesses are expected to enjoy substantial market growth in the future, the business environment is becoming increasingly difficult due to a sudden drop in prices and the intensification of competition, SANYO points out.

SANYO also plans to expand the energy solutions market from large-scale facilities such as factories and high-rise buildings to small and medium-scale users such as retail stores, schools, and homes.

SANYO says it is aiming to reach a scale of operation of 100 billion yen for its energy solutions business by the fiscal year ending March 2016.