YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
With 90 years of electronics manufacturing expertise and more than 40 years’ experience as a manufacturer of solar power technology. Mitsubishi Electric is one of the most established solar providers in the industry. Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. is an affiliate of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a $40 billion company that invests $2 billion in R&D annually, including innovations in solar technology. Our photovoltaic (PV) modules are backed by the stability of a recognized, global leader in the solar industry.
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY
Mitsubishi understands that a solar electric system is a long-term investment that will deliver clean reliable power for decades. So, Mitsubishi has combined their solar technology experience, which began in 1974 developing photovoltaics for space satellites, with their accumulated know-how in power systems and semiconductor technology, to deliver solar modules designed for superior performance and unbeatable dependability. Mitsubishi’s rigorous internal testing, which far exceeds international standards, along with real world field tests, prove their modules will perform in the harshest environments, including areas near saltwater or in areas with high snow and wind loads. Their advanced engineering heritage strengthens their commitment to design and manufacture top-quality solar modules that will endure the elements, and the test of time.
UNRIVALED MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE
Only Mitsubishi Electric brings nearly a century of technological innovation and manufacturing precision to solar module production. Mitsubishi ensures the premium quality of our photovoltaic cells and modules by designing, engineering, and manufacturing them in our own state-of-the-art factories. From assembly to inspections, their module lines are highly automated with Mitsubishi Electric factory automation equipment. This provides an unsurpassed level of production uniformity and greater quality assurance than can be achieved by manual processes or automation solutions from other providers.
Financial Strength
In addition to making solar modules and the automation equipment that builds them, Mitsubishi Electric’s diverse family of products includes the latest advancements in elevators and escalators, cooling and heating systems, automotive electrical and electronic systems, semiconductor devices, large-scale video displays and more. Such diversification reinforces Mitsubishi’s financial strength and has resulted in a reservoir of expertise to serve their customers’ needs for comfort and efficiency in their homes and facilities. Mitsubishi Electric’s employees number more than 3,000 in the United States alone.
Mitsubishi Electric is a profitable Global Fortune 500 company with consolidated annual net sales in surpassing $40 billion USD. Customers can also find peace of mind knowing their solar modules carry a 25-year linear performance warranty from one of the world’s most stable and bankable companies.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES
Mitsubishi Electric’s solar modules are made with 100% lead-free solder to protect the environment and human health. Lead is a heavy metal and is classified as an environmental hazard. It is a material strictly governed by EPA regulations. Mitsubishi Electric pioneered volume production of solar modules with 100% lead-free solder in Japan in 2003. All of Mitsubishi Electric’s solar module product lines avoid the use of lead solder. By contrast, a traditional 50 cell solar module contains 48 grams of lead, while a 580kW DC photovoltaic array would contain approximately 150kg of lead.
Lead is a poisonous neurotoxin. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. The effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected. According to the Center of Disease Control, lead concentration greater than 5 micrograms per decimeter of blood in children is cause for concern.
Lead cannot be removed from a PV module at the product’s end-of-life, therefore it is better to avoid use of lead solder in the manufacturing process. Lead-free solder eliminates leeching or recycling concerns now and in the future. Mitsubishi Electric instead uses silver in its solder, which in addition to not having the toxicity concerns of lead, increases the performance of the module. Lead absorbs radiation, while silver used in Mitsubishi Electric’s solder reflects radiation uniformly to the cell. The silver paste also makes the cell more resistant to moisture.
Mitsubishi’s modules are made in solar-powered, ISO 14001-certified factories, which are managed using comprehensive water conservation and recycling measures. Mitsubishi Electric’s Environmental Vision for 2021 includes robust targets for waste reduction, recycling, and decreasing carbon emissions from product production and usage, on which we report annually. While fewer than five Mitsubishi Electric modules per million are returned due to panel malfunction, Mitsubishi Electric US occasionally receives modules damaged during installation. We recycle damaged modules, and encourage our authorized dealers to do the same.
Through the leadership of Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc.’s headquarters Green Team, Mitsubishi has implemented measures to track and reduce office resource use, increase recycling, and adopt re-useable and biodegradable materials. The Green Team also hosts an environmental speaker series to raise employee awareness of sustainability topics, incentivize employees for environmentally-friendly behavior, and sponsors regular community outreach activities that involve our employees and products.