Name

Choshu Industry

Legal name

長州産業株式会社

Website

https://choshu.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Energy Equipment and Vacuum Mechatronics Manufacturing

NAICS

Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414)

SIC

Steam & Air-Conditioning Supply (4961)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy & Renewables Specialty Contracting (Solar PV, Storage, EV Charging) (IMAFALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ventilation, Ducting & Air Distribution Equipment (IMAHAKAG), Controls, Thermostats, Sensors & Building Automation (HVAC Controls) (IMADANAH)

Keywords

• Solar power systems
• Vacuum deposition equipment
• Hydrogen energy systems
• Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Energy storage systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Onoda

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Energy Equipment Sales: Manufacture and sale of solar photovoltaic modules, storage battery systems, energy management systems, V2H systems, and hot water systems. Products sold directly through the company's branch office network and through distributors. Revenue from both product sales and installation/maintenance services.
2. Vacuum & Mechatronic Equipment: Design, manufacturing, assembly, installation, and maintenance of evaporation systems, sputtering systems, FA equipment, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Also includes cleaning/regeneration services for semiconductor components and precious metal recycling. Revenue from equipment sales, parts, and services.
3. Hydrogen Energy Systems: Design, manufacture, sale, and maintenance of hydrogen stations (SHiPS) and pure hydrogen fuel cell generators (MizTomo). Revenue from equipment sales, installation, and ongoing maintenance contracts.
4. Regional Revitalization: Golf course operation (Central Park Golf Club) and sake brewery (Choshu Sake Brewery). Revenue from service fees and product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Choshu Industry is a Japanese manufacturer operating four business divisions: Energy Equipment (solar photovoltaic modules, power storage systems, V2H systems, HEMS); Vacuum & Mechatronics Equipment (evaporation and sputtering systems, FA machines, precision cleaning/regeneration services for OLED and semiconductor manufacturing); New Energy (packaged hydrogen stations and pure hydrogen fuel cell generators); and Regional Revitalization (sake brewery and golf course). The company conducts integrated development, manufacturing, assembly, installation, and maintenance in-house in Japan.

Product overview

Choshu Industry operates as a diversified Japanese manufacturing company with four main business divisions: Energy Equipment (solar power systems, storage batteries, energy management), Vacuum Mechatronics Equipment (evaporation/sputtering systems for OLED and semiconductor manufacturing, FA machines, precision cleaning), Hydrogen Energy (hydrogen stations, fuel cell generators), and Regional Resource Utilization (sake brewery, golf course). The core energy products include solar PV systems, power storage systems (SMART PV EVO/Multi/Plus, Flexible Storage), and V2H systems, supported by the '+watt' HEMS service for predictive energy management. Vacuum equipment products center on vapor deposition systems (OASIS series with proprietary Knudsen cells), sputtering systems (Mirror Tron technology), and IHES induction heating sources for organic device manufacturing. Hydrogen products include SHiPS packaged hydrogen stations and MizTomo pure hydrogen fuel cell generators. The company also develops next-generation tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells through NEDO projects targeting 30%+ efficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CIC ( энергия機器 / Energy Equipment brand): Solar power systems and storage systems brand under Choshu Industry. Operated through cic-solar.jp domain.
• SHiPS (Solar Hydrogen i Power Station)
• CIC Solar

Products and services

• Solar Power System (太陽光発電システム) Residential and industrial solar photovoltaic systems manufactured domestically in Japan, featuring high-efficiency heterojunction cells and industry-leading power generation performance.
• Power Storage System (蓄電システム) Home and industrial battery storage systems including SMART PV EVO, SMART PV Multi, SMART PV Plus, and Flexible Storage System for backup power and energy optimization.
• SMART PV EVO V2H System (スマートPVエボ) V2H (Vehicle to Home) storage system enabling bidirectional power flow between electric vehicles and homes, with package models CB-E126HS1 and CB-E63HS1.
• +watt HEMS Service (プラスワット) Home Energy Management System '+watt' developed with NextDrive and Ratosystems, featuring predictive battery control, weather alert linkage, and smart appliance control via the Cube J gateway and smartphone app.
• Evaporation System / OASIS Series (蒸着装置) Full-automatic vapor deposition systems including OASIS series, featuring proprietary Knudsen cell (K-cell) technology for organic device manufacturing from anode to cathode sealing in OLED display and perovskite solar cell production.
• Mirror Tron Sputtering System (スパッタ装置) Proprietary facing-target sputtering systems achieving low plasma damage and low substrate temperature, ideal for transparent conductive film formation in top-emission OLED structures and sealing films.
• IHES (Induction Heating Evaporation Source) World's first high-performance control unit and power-integrated Knudsen cell combining induction heating with EV-ALL crucible, achieving material consumption reduction while maintaining excellent rate stability and reproducibility.
• FA Machines (FA機器) Factory automation equipment serving semiconductor, FPD, electronic components, medical, and food industries with solutions for productivity improvement, automation, and quality enhancement.
• Cleaning Regeneration Service (洗浄再生業務) Vacuum equipment component cleaning and regeneration using surface treatment technologies, including resharpening of deformed parts, thermal spraying, anodizing, plating, and electro-polishing.
• Precious Metal Recycling Service (有価貴金属回収) Precious metal recovery and recycling from vacuum equipment components and scrap materials using specialized extraction technology combined with cleaning regeneration.
• Precision Parts Manufacturing Service (精密部品製作) CNC machining, sheet metal, welding, tank fabrication, and degreasing with JIS-certified TIG welding for vacuum chambers.
• SHiPS (Solar Hydrogen i Power Station) Packaged hydrogen station using renewable energy for on-site CO2-free hydrogen production, with hydrogen manufacturing capacity of FCV1 unit/day and storage for FCV5 units.
• MizTomo Pure Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator (ミズトモ) Pure hydrogen fuel cell generator (MT40 model, 40kW) using TOYOTA FC module, designed as small package type for portable and stationary use at ports, events, emergency power, and construction sites.
• Solar Carport System (ソーラーカーポートシステム) Y-shaped solar carport system designed for easy parking with minimal columns, featuring bifacial solar modules for dual-sided power generation, targeted at commercial and industrial parking facilities.
• G-Series PREMIUM BLUE Solar Module (太陽電池モジュールGシリーズ) High-end solar module featuring heterojunction cells and wavelength conversion technology, with 9-busbar half-cut cells and white encapsulant achieving 348W standard output.
• JAPAN BLACK Solar Module (太陽電池モジュールJAPAN BLACK) Black-design solar cell module launched in February 2022 with aesthetic appeal for residential installations.
• Choshu Sake (長州日本酒) Sake produced by Choshu Sake Brewery using local rice and traditional methods combined with latest technology, launched in 2020.
• Central Park Golf Club Golf course utilizing natural terrain with photovoltaic panels on clubhouse roof for environmentally friendly operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Solar module actual output always exceeds rated specifications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2026NEDO Green Innovation Fund project 'Next-Generation Solar Cell Development / Next-Generation Tandem Solar Cell Mass Production Technology Demonstration.' Choshu Industry was selected to develop large-area perovskite-Si tandem solar cell module mass production technology (targeting 30%+ efficiency, 20+ year durability, 1 sqm+ modules) from FY2025 to FY2030.
• Tokuyama Corporation (株式会社トクヤマ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2025Partner in the Ministry of Environment 'Cost Competitiveness Enhancement Renewable Hydrogen Supply Chain Model Construction and Demonstration Project.' Tokuyama supplies by-product hydrogen from caustic soda plants in the Shunan area. Project runs FY2025-2029 (5 years).
• Yamaguchi Prefectural Industrial Technology Center ((地独)山口県産業技術センター)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2025Project representative for the hydrogen supply chain demonstration project. Manages overall coordination and hydrogen utilization management. Choshu Industry handles hydrogen production, storage, and utilization at Sanyo-Onoda.
• NF Device Technology Corporation (株式会社NFデバイステクノロジー)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2025Partner in hydrogen supply chain demonstration project. Handles hydrogen production, storage, and utilization at Yamaguchi and Hofu locations.
• NextDrive Co., Ltd.coreTechnology or Integration · 8 May 2025Three-way partnership with Choshu Industry and Ratoc Systems to develop and launch the '+watt' HEMS service. NextDrive provides HEMS solutions including the 'Cube J' gateway and smartphone app. Services include battery smart control, weather alert-linked control, and smart appliance control.
• Ratoc Systems Co., Ltd. (ラトックシステム株式会社)coreTechnology or Integration · 8 May 2025Three-way partnership for '+watt' HEMS service. Ratoc Systems provides smart remote controllers and sensors that integrate with Choshu Industry's energy equipment for infrared-based home appliance control.
• Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd. (八千代工業株式会社)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2024Basic agreement signed with CICA (Choshu Industry Corporation of America) for high-pressure hydrogen container promotion in North America. Yachiyo brings expertise in high-pressure hydrogen containers developed through automotive resin fuel tanks and CFRP racing wheelchairs.
• Toshiba CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Toshiba on perovskite solar cell testing at Kanazawa University's outdoor testing facility within a solar park. Project runs until December 2026, evaluating tandem perovskite cells with lead-stabilization technology.
• Kanazawa UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on perovskite solar cell outdoor testing facility at the university's solar park. Testing tandem perovskite technologies with lead-stabilization for outdoor evaluation.
• University of Electro-CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the perovskite solar cell testing project led by Kanazawa University, collaborating with Toshiba and Choshu Industry.
• Kumamoto UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-academia partnership at Kumamoto University for the Choshu Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Development Center (CSD). Focuses on supercritical fluid deposition technology for semiconductor film formation equipment R&D.
• Nihon Koei Energy Solutions Co., Ltd. (日本工営エナジーソリューションズ株式会社)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead company in the Akita Rinkai Processing Center Energy Supply Base project. A DBO (Design Build Operation) project for renewable energy-based microgrid at the Akita processing center. Total contract value ¥6.4 billion.
• Recycletech Co., Ltd. (株式会社リサイクルテック)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisposal contractor for end-of-life solar modules. Uses pyrolysis and advanced sorting technology to achieve high-purity recycling of aluminum, copper, silicon cells (silver), and glass from solar modules.
• Nichiso Property Inc. (日創プロニティ株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in solar carport system for Morinaga Milk Industry. Provided the Y-shaped carport structure with 160 parking spaces.
• Major Semiconductor and Display Manufacturers (Asia/Europe/Americas)coreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing customers for vacuum evaporation and sputtering equipment. Includes panel makers, research institutions, material suppliers, and equipment manufacturers in OLED and perovskite solar cell industries in China, Taiwan, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sharp Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of solar PV modules and electronic devices. Direct peer to Choshu Industry in residential and commercial solar, with overlap in heterojunction and next-generation cell technology development.
• Kyocera Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of solar PV modules, ceramic components, and electronic devices. Direct peer in residential solar PV with similar domestic Japan go-to-market and diversified industrial portfolio.
• Rinnai Corporation: Japan's leading manufacturer of water heaters, gas appliances, and heating equipment. Direct peer to Choshu's original heating equipment business (water heaters, hot water systems) with comparable residential Japan distribution.
• Ulvac, Inc. Leading Japanese manufacturer of vacuum equipment, sputtering systems, and semiconductor production equipment. Direct peer to Choshu's vacuum/mechatronics division in OLED and semiconductor deposition technology.
• Noritz Corporation: Japanese manufacturer specializing in water heaters, heating systems, and hot water equipment. Direct peer to Choshu's traditional heating equipment business with overlapping product categories and Japan domestic focus.
• Canon Anelva Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of vacuum deposition and sputtering equipment for semiconductors and FPDs. Direct peer in vacuum technology serving the same panel maker and semiconductor fab customers as Choshu.

Broad incumbents

• Tokyo Electron Limited: Major Japanese semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment maker. Broad incumbent serving the same display and semiconductor vacuum equipment customers that Choshu supplies, but at significantly larger scale.
• Panasonic Corporation: Japanese conglomerate with major solar PV module (Panasonic Solar / HIT), battery storage, and HVAC businesses. Broad incumbent overlapping with Choshu across solar, storage, and HEMS offerings at much greater scale.
• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation: Japanese conglomerate with HVAC, solar power, and factory automation businesses. Broad incumbent overlapping with Choshu's energy equipment and FA machines divisions across multiple product categories.

Emerging players

• Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Japanese automaker with hydrogen FCEV technology (Clarity Fuel Cell) and stationary hydrogen power system ambitions. Emerging peer in hydrogen energy systems intersecting with Choshu's SHiPS and MizTomo businesses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@choshusangyou

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Choshu Industry