KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Sdn Bhd's new solar factory in Kulim aims to start operations by December 2012 and is on track to produce its first prototype unit by year-end.

"This factory will manufacture Panasonic HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer) solar modules that offer top-level conversion efficiency and higher power generation even during summer," Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd Corporate Communications and Branding General Manager Azizah Wahid told Bernama in an email interview.

The plant's output will initially focus on the export market, mainly catering to Japan.