Modules available for U.S. distributors and installers as the company ramps up production at the world's largest CIS plant

TOKYO, April 18, 2011 - Solar Frontier K.K., a 100 percent subsidiary of Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., announced today that it has received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification for its solar modules sold in the Americas. Products certified include Solar Frontier's new SF130 ~ 150 Watt module series. Solar Frontier's CIS technology (for key ingredients copper, indium and selenium, in addition to gallium and sulfur) offers the highest conversion efficiency of any mass-produced thin-film module.

"UL certification indicates to our customers that Solar Frontier modules have passed the safety standards necessary for long-term power generation in residential, commercial and utility applications," said Greg Ashley, COO, Solar Frontier Americas. "As we ramp up production at our automated, gigawatt-scale manufacturing facility, we'll be able to drive down the total installed cost for solar systems, which allows Solar Frontier to offer installers the most reliable and economical modules."

Solar Frontier's gigawatt-scale Kunitomi factory in Miyazaki, Japan, is the largest CI(G)S thin-film solar module production plant in the world and is currently shipping modules worldwide. The plant will approach full capacity this summer.

Underwriter Laboratories evaluates the design and conducts extensive tests on products to ensure their safety for consumer use. Solar Frontier CIS modules are suited for commercial, residential and utility applications, and have also obtained certifications on performance and safety by Japanese and European standards organizations.

Solar Frontier's SF130 ~ 145 Watt modules have obtained European IEC 61646 and 61730 certification under the supervision of TÜV Rheinland Japan. The modules up to SF150 also have been approved by Japan's JET testing authority and conform to the UL 1703 code, as administered by Underwriters Laboratories. Solar Frontier modules are listed on the California Energy Commission's List of Compliant Photovoltaic modules with a PVUSA Test Condition (PTC) rating.




CIS modules manufactured
at Kunitomi Plant
（1,257 x 977 x 35 mm）

About Solar Frontier
Solar Frontier, a 100% subsidiary of Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., established the world's first gigawatt-scale CIS module factory in 2011 with a mission to create the most economical, ecological solar energy solutions in the world, on the world's largest scale. Solar Frontier's proprietary CIS technology, denoting key ingredients copper, indium, and selenium (in addition to gallium and sulfur), has the best overall potential to set the world's most enduring standard for solar energy. This is based on our legacy of work in solar technology since the 1970s, the priority focus our laboratories have given to CIS since 1993, and our success in large scale CIS commercialization since 2007. The critical factors that combine to make CIS the overall economical and ecological leader include high efficiency modules and production processes as well as superior reliability, stability, sustainability, non-toxicity, and lower overall energy consumption in manufacturing to yield a faster energy payback time. These factors at gigawatt scale enable Solar Frontier to meet worldwide demand for the new standard in affordable solar panel performance. Visit www.solar-frontier.com for more information.

Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K.
Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K. is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and has roots dating back more than 100 years in the downstream energy business.




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