Panasonic compelled to reduce manufacturing for vital photovoltaic panel part - report

• Japanese electronics significant Panasonic Corp (TYO:6752) is anticipated to quickly put on hold manufacturing of a part needed for residential solar installations because of a scarcity of semiconductors, Nikkei Asia reports.

According to the financial newspaper, the firm has sent out a notification to client services late last month to notify them of delayed materials of power conditioners.

Nikkei Asia points to a March fire at a chip manufacturing facility run by Renesas Electronics Corp (TYO:6723) as the factor for these adjustments. The last has actually managed to recuperate semiconductor manufacturing to pre-fire levels on June 24 but is presently prioritising shipments for the automotive sector.

The report notes that Panasonic has an about 30% share among the distributors of power conditioners for home solar cells and also is followed by compatriots Omron Corp (TYO:6645) as well as Tabuchi Electric. The latter plans to rely on inventory to maintain production for some time, Nikkei Asia included.