Sharp Corporation has been engaged in the manufacture of energy-saving LCD and energy-creating solar cells as the pillars of its business, with the goal of being an "environmentally advanced company." Now, the company has made the decision to build on the same site a new state-of-the-art LCD panel plant and solar cell plant for the mass production of thin-film solar cells in Sakai City (Osaka Prefecture). This project is being developed as a "manufacturing complex for the 21st century" that will incorporate relevant infrastructure and facilities, as well as attract material and production equipment manufacturers to construct plants on the same site. In addition to infrastructure-related facilities and production equipment manufacturers, a number of leading material manufacturers such as glass substrate and color filter makers will be invited to set up plants adjacent to Sharp's new LCD panel plant within this manufacturing complex. Shared infrastructure such as gas and electricity can provide for improved productivity.

The aim due to Sharp is to achieve vertical integration that transcends the barriers between companies by pushing the vertically integrated business model created at the Kameyama Plant - from LCD panels to LCD TVs - further upstream in the supply chain.

In addition, the close collaboration of Sharp engineers working with material and equipment manufacturers who have superior technical capabilities can be expected to engender new technical innovations through the fusion of knowledge and know-how.

Horizontal deployment of LCD and solar thin-film technology

TFT LCD and thin-film solar cells are based on the same thin-film technologies, and can share materials and utilities. The application of LCD technologies to thin-film solar cells can be expected to yield even greater improvements in performance. The solar cell plant will focus on mass production of thin-film solar cells. Sharp is the world's leading manufacturer of solar cells in terms of production volume and has already commercialized thin-film solar cells that achieve a power generating efficiency that is among the best in the industry.

Plans call for a production volume of around 1,000 MW (1 million kW) per year for the thin-film solar cells to be manufactured at this facility. This level is expected to maximize economies of scale, and make this factory the largest solar cell plant in the world. Operations are slated to begin at same time as the LCD panel plant.

2006-06-12 | Courtesy: | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH