Toshiba has entered the solar energy market in a big way with the launch of a dedicated Photovoltaic Systems Division.

The new unit forms part of Toshiba's Transmission Distribution and Industrial Systems Company, and has been created to address the surge in demand for solar photovoltaic systems.

Toshiba will focus primarily on large solar power generation systems, such as megawatt-scale projects for utility and industrial plants.

The company will exploit some of its existing expertise to help give it an edge in the new venture, including the use of components such as its Super Charge Ion Battery, which Toshiba claims offers "excellent safety, long life and rapid charging".

Toshiba will also use its previous experience in systems integration, particularly in hooking up micro-grids that connect and manage dispersed small-scale power generation sources, including renewable energy sources.

The new photovoltaic division hopes to reach an annual business scale of about ¥200bn (£1.45bn) by fiscal 2015.

According to Toshiba's figures, the global solar photovoltaic systems market for utility and industrial plants is expected to reach ¥2.2tn (£15.98bn) by 2015, up from ¥1.2tn (£8.71bn) in 2008.