Sharp Corp. chairman Katsuhiko Machida told the press on 15 December 2007 that the company will spend almost JPY 100 billion on a solar cell factory to be built in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture.
The facili…
Sharp Corp. chairman Katsuhiko Machida told the press on 15 December 2007 that the company will spend almost JPY 100 billion on a solar cell factory to be built in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. The facility is to make thin-film solar cells, which use less silicon than conventional cells, starting in fiscal 2009. It is expected to become the world“s largest solar cell plant, with an annual production capacity of 1,000mw. Sharp is currently the global leader in solar cell production, with annual output of 710mw. The plant is to be built next to the firm“s LCD panel factory, currently under construction. According to Mr. Machida, 14 other firms are expected to invest in equipment at the site. Companies planning to conduct operations at the site include US glass manufacturer Corning Inc., color filter producers Dai Nippon Printing Co. and Toppan Printing Co., Kansai Electric Power Co. and Osaka Gas Co.