Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced the launch of its new 'PV Series' intelligent power modules, mainly for use in residential photovoltaic (PV) inverters. The six models, which can also be used in inverters for fuel cell systems, each measure 90 mm x 50 mm, contributing greatly to PV inverter miniaturization. Shipments will begin in May 2010 through Mitsubishi Electric sales sites in the Americas, Europe, China and Korea. Demand for PV systems is increasing as a means to generate renewable energy to help prevent global warming. Inverters are an essential part of PV systems, converting DC electricity generated from solar cells into AC electricity for residential use. Because inverters for residential PV systems are usually installed indoors, it is important that they be made as small as possible. Product features include: The mounting surface of the new IPM models is only 90 mm x 50 mm, about 30% less than that of Mitsubishi Electric's current PV series IPMs launched in 2005. This compact package helps make PV inverters smaller; three types of circuit connection and two types of rating current in the lineup; Environmental consideration. The new PV Series is compliant with the RoHS ('Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances' in electrical and electronic equipment) Directive.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced that it has developed transmission devices featuring the world's top-level characteristics for super high-speed, 100 Gb Ethernet applications that multiplex four wavelength channels of 25 Gbps-speed optical signals in parallel. Of the two devices, the high speed direct modulation-distributed feed back (DFB) laser diode, which is incorporated in devices that send out optical signals, features modulated waveforms of 25 Gbps. The photo diode array, which is incorporated in receiver modules, has a leading-edge responsivity of 0.88 amperes per watt (A/W). Part of these development achievements stem from a government project called 'R&D on High-speed Optical Transport System Technologies (High-Speed Low-power-consumption Optical Transport Technology for Ethernet)' overseen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Japan. Transmission volume over optical communication networks is rapidly increasing. To respond to this increase, the IEEE is expected to set a standard for 100 Gb Ethernet (100GbE) in June 2010, which will increase the maximum transmission speed from the current 10 Gbps Ethernet standard. Specifically, within transmission distances of 100 meters to 10 kilometers, such as between local data centers and inside buildings, a standard called 100GBASE-LR4 is being considered as a method to transmit data at 100 Gbps by wavelength multiplexing four channels of 1.3 micrometer-wavelength 25 Gbps signals in parallel. To send and receive these optical signals, each end requires four optical semiconductor chips that operate at 25 Gbps: four DFB laser diodes to send optical signals and four photo diodes to receive these signals.

Finmeccanica SpA will reveal the buyer of minority stake in Ansaldo Energia S.p.A with in 45 days. At a conference call, Finmeccanicas Chief Financial Officer, Alessandro Pansa stated that it would reveal in a month and a half at the latest to whom it will divest a minority stake in Ansaldo Energia. He added that the company is in advanced stage of the negotiations with possible partners. Il Sole 24 Ore reported that Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and OJSC Power Machines are known to be among the possible partners.

Q3 2010 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP Earnings Release - 11:15 pm ET