Sharp to Mass-Produce Thin-Film Solar Cell Modules

Tokyo, July 8 (Jiji Press)–Sharp Corp. said Friday it will start mass-producing thin-film solar cell modules at its Katsuragi Plant in Nara Prefecture in September.

The company will invest some 2 billion yen to introduce a new production system for the thin-film solar cell modules at the western Japan plant, eyeing annual output capacity of 15 megawatts, it said.

According to Sharp, the amount of silicon used to make thin-film solar cell modules is one-hundredth of that needed for making conventional crystalline silicon modules.

In addition, thin-film modules can be used to make transparent solar panels that allow light to pass through. They can also be used together with light-emitting diodes to make illuminated solar panels, Sharp said.

While launching the mass production of the thin-film modules, Sharp will also increase its production of conventional crystalline silicon modules.

Sharp currently produces 400 megawatts of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules annually.END