News Release

Kobe Testing Center Now Capable of Providing One-Stop Outsourcing Services
-From Durability Testing of Solar Panels to Storage Battery Recharging and Discharging Testing-

Sep 04, 2012

TOKYO, Japan - September 4, 2012 - ORIX Rentec Corporation, a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation, announced today that it has introduced a "solar simulator"*1 and a "solar cell EL tester"*2 to the solar panel testing area of the Kobe Testing Center, which opened in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, in October 2011. ORIX Rentec has also announced that from September 5 it will begin offering outsourcing services for testing storage battery recharging and discharging in the storage battery recharging and discharging test area, having installed one of Japan's largest testing facilities for solar cells.

The installation of this new equipment has created an extremely rare testing environment for solar panels, as the Center can undertake all testing related to product durability evaluation on contract. The Center offers reliability testing for evaluating long-term durability from the development stage. In addition, the Center can conduct electrical property testing, whereby it shines artificial sunlight on panels to check the output. Testing extends to non-destructive testing where internal damage can be checked without destroying the large panel.

The renewable energy-related market has expanded rapidly in recent years, and along with it demand for solar panels and other equipment has also increased. At the same time, manufacturers in Japan and overseas are required to assure the long-term durability of solar panels and associated products and components. Research and development needs have thus come to the fore in order to test durability over an extended period and improve quality. Furthermore, along with the construction of smart grids, and uptake of renewable energy and electric vehicles, demand for storage batteries is also expected to widen in order to optimally and stably use power. Product R&D is progressing to this end. ORIX Rentec is providing product performance evaluations and reliability testing under contract in response to these needs, and in the process raising testing efficiency and helping customers to reduce equipment installation and testing costs as well as to conduct R&D activities at the same time.

Going forward, ORIX Rentec will continue to provide quality services by working to upgrade and expand the Center's equipment and enhance its testing technologies so as to meet a diverse range of customer needs.

*1 A device that produces artificial sunlight.
*2 Equipment that detects and renders as an image of solar cell electro-luminescence.

■Overview of the Kobe Testing Center

Location 3-11 Yasakadai, Suma-ku, Kobe 654-0161
Site area 6,871 m2
Floor area 5,517 m2
Division of Kobe Testing Center area (1) Solar panel testing area
(2) Storage battery recharging and discharging area
(3) Reliability testing area
*Security management is strictly enforced based on ISO/IEC 17025

(1) Solar Panel Testing Area
The Center boasts a testing environment that can accommodate full module sizes for large prototypes, so that solar panels can be tested straight from the factory.

・Solar simulator *Installed July 2012
(Compatible module size: 1,310 mm x 2,000 mm)

・Solar cell EL tester *Installed July 2012
(Largest module size: 1,310 mm x 2,000 mm)

・X-ray observation equipment *First in Japan compatible with
full modules
(Maximum observation size: 2,000 mm x 1,500 mm)

・Mechanical load testing equipment
(Maximum testing size: 2,000 mm x 1,500 mm)

・High-temperature, high-humidity testing equipment
(Internal dimensions: W1,200 mm x H2,000 mm x D1,800 mm)

・Temperature and humidity cycle testing equipment
(Internal dimensions: W1,200 mm x H2,000 mm x D1,800 mm)

Solar simulator

X-ray observation equipment

(2) Storage Battery Recharging and Discharging Test Area
The Center can perform recharging and discharging tests on battery cells needed to develop large-capacity storage batteries in research and development of storage batteries used in solar and wind power generation, as well as electric vehicles.

・Cell recharging and discharging testing equipment
・Constant-temperature bath (blast-proof specifications)
(Internal dimensions: W1,100 mm x D700 mm x X850 mm）

(3) Reliability Test Area
The Center can perform various tests designed to evaluate the environmental performance and durability of products, components and materials, including heat shock tests and condensation and freezing tests. The Center enables one-stop evaluation assessments ranging from tests to inspections.

・Constant temperature and humidity apparatus
(Internal dimensions: W600 mm x H850 mm x D600 mm)

・Heat shock testing equipment
(Internal dimensions: W970 mm x H460 mm x D670 mm)

Heat shock testing equipment

About ORIX
ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) is an integrated financial services group based in Tokyo, Japan, providing innovative value-added products and services to both corporate and retail customers. With operations in 27 countries and regions worldwide, ORIX's activities include corporate financial services, such as leases and loans, as well as automobile operations, rental operations, real estate, life insurance, banking and loan servicing. For more details, please visit our website at:http://www.orix.co.jp/grp/en/

These documents may contain forward-looking statements about expected future events and financial results that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and under "4. Risk Factors" of the "Summary of Consolidated Financial Results" of the "Consolidated Financial Results April 1, 2011 - March 31, 2012."  
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