MEMPHIS, TN--(Marketwire - June 29, 2010) - Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, one of the world's leading manufacturers of solar cells, is commemorating the production of the two millionth solar panel at its assembly operation at Sharp Manufacturing Company of America (SMCA) in Memphis. Since coming online in 2003, the facility's production capacity has increased tremendously, and its manufacturing staff has tripled. The solar manufacturing facility assembles a variety of panels for residential and commercial installations.
"Sharp is very proud to reach a milestone of this magnitude. Having the two millionth panel roll off of the production lines is a testament to the growing demand for solar electricity, and our steadfast dedication to growing the solar electricity market," said Mr. Kozo Takahashi, CEO and chairman, Sharp Electronics Corporation. "This is a tremendous achievement for Sharp and the entire clean tech sector."
Sharp has grown its presence in the U.S., supplying the solar modules that power thousands of residential, governmental, commercial and utility-scale solar electricity systems throughout the country. Its roster of notable commercial solar installations includes systems at FedEx's hub in Oakland, California; Google's corporate campus in Mountain View, California; Patagonia's headquarters in Ventura, California; and the San Francisco Giants' AT&T Park.
Sharp's Memphis facility has produced enough solar modules to fully power more than 65,000 total average-sized homes, with clean, renewable solar energy. This saves nearly 12 million metric tons of CO2* per year.
"We share this achievement with our customers -- some of the finest dealers, installers, businesses and government organizations in the nation," said Ron Kenedi, vice president, Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group. "Our customers are creating jobs by hiring electricians, roofers, and other labor to install our high-quality solar panels, thus driving local economies while helping to build the nation's renewable energy portfolio."
Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group is a unit of Sharp Electronics Corporation. Sharp offers a high-quality, competitively priced and reliable suite of solar products, many of which are proudly made at the facility in Memphis by IBEW union members. In addition, Sharp solar products sold in the United States qualify as American goods under the "Buy American" clause of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and have been installed in several ARRA-funded projects around the nation.
By providing a wide variety of solar electricity products to meet a diverse range of applications, Sharp is helping make solar power an increasingly mainstream energy solution -- one that is accessible, efficient and cost-effective.
Further information on Sharp's commitment to solar energy, its product line, and the ways in which Sharp makes it easy to go solar is available online at www.solar.sharpusa.com. Become a fan of Sharp Solar at www.facebook.com/sharpsolarusa and follow our blog at www.SharpUSA.com/solarblog.
About Sharp
Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group, based in Huntington Beach, California, is a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a world market leader in solar cell production, and offers both standard and integrated roof modules for home, business and utility applications.
Sharp Corporation is a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS® Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit™ digital audio products, SharpVision® projection products, Insight® Microwave Drawer® appliances, Plasmacluster® air purifiers, and Notevision® multimedia projectors.
Sharp is a registered trademark of Sharp Corporation
*According to Sharp Electronics Corp data
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Chris Loncto
Sharp Electronics Corporation
Phone: 201-370-6127
Email: lonctoc@sharpsec.com