Combined Solar energy & Thermal Co-Generation System in development

Yanmar is launching a project to develop a next-generation combined solar energy/thermal Co-generation system. Yanmar believes this system will be suited for industries and businesses faced with reduced production and increasing energy costs in the current weak economy, and expects to see a return on their initial investments in about 10 years. Yanmar is projecting about 3 trillion yen (approx. $300 million) in sales by 2012. Yanmar has begun negotiations with Kyocera on forming a joint partnership selling Kyocera Solar panels combined with Yanmar’s Co-generation equipment. Yanmar is also taking the lead on developing similar services to home-owners in cooperation with residential gas suppliers.
(From the Nikkei)