Solar Cells Info

Osaka, June 23, 2008
Source: Japan’s Corporate News Network
http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=18763

Sakai City, Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (Kansai Electric), and Sharp Corporation today agreed to cooperate on the Sakai City Waterfront Mega Solar Power Generation Plan in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.  Under the plan, mega solar power generation is scheduled for the following two locations:
(1) Sakai No. 7-3 District Solar Power Generation Plant (tentative name), Output: Approx. 10 MW (10,000 kW)
(2) Sakai Manufacturing Complex Solar Power Generation Facilities (tentative name), Output: Approx. 9 MW (9,000 kW) to start, with maximum of 18 MW (18,000 kW).

The first will be built by Kansai Electric in Sakai No. 7-3 District, on an industrial waste landfill in Nishi Ward, Sakai City. As for the second, Sharp and Kansai Electric will install solar power generation facilities on Sharp’s and other companies’ buildings in the complex, thus creating an in-complex source of power. The two companies are currently working out the details of the running of these solar power facilities. Sharp intends to use thin-film silicon solar modules, which will be produced at the solar cell plant that is scheduled to go online in March 2010. Sakai City is positioning this plan as a key part of its Cool City Sakai*, an initiative for a low-carbon metropolis. The city is working with Kansai Electric and Sharp to bring this initiative to fruition.

The two solar power generation facilities scheduled to be built in the waterfront district of Sakai will have a combined output of approx. 28 MW (28,000 kW), making this one of the world’s largest solar power facilities. Like nuclear power and hydroelectric power, solar power produces no CO2 during the power generation process. When completed and operating, this project will result in CO2 emission reductions of approximately 10,000 tons a year.

Through this plan, Kansai Electric will build and operate solar power generation plants as part of its business. The company hopes to contribute to the proliferation of solar power by studying how to overcome various obstacles and publicly sharing the knowledge it gains in the process.

Sharp is already operating an approx. 5-MW (5,000 kW) solar power generation system at the Kameyama Plant, the site of integrated manufacturing of LCD panels and LCD TVs. By installing an even bigger system, the manufacturing complex in Sakai will be the ultimate environmentally advanced production base.

With this agreement to jointly build solar power facilities, the three parties are working towards the realization of a low-carbon metropolis, with Kansai Electric and Sharp participating in the organizational structure that Sakai City has set up to run its Cool City Sakai initiative.

* Cool City Sakai: A plan to create “Cool City Sakai,” a low-carbon metropolis that provides its citizens with both sustainable prosperity and living comfort.

Overview of Mega Solar Power Generation Plan

Sakai No. 7-3 District Solar Power Generation Plant (tentative name)
Operator:          Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
Location:          Industrial waste landfill in Sakai No. 7-3 District
(4-cho, Chikko-shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture)
(Property to be leased from Osaka Prefecture)
Area:              Approx. 20 ha
Output:            Approx. 10 MW (10,000 kW)
Output volume:     Approx. 11 million kWh/year
Installation type: On ground
Total investment:  Approx. 5 billion yen
Construction:      Starting Fiscal 2009 (scheduled)
Completion:        Fiscal 2011 (scheduled)

Sakai Manufacturing Complex Solar Power Generation Facilities (tentative name)
Operator:          Under discussion by Sharp and the Kansai Electric Group
Location:          Chikko-yawata-machi, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture
Output:            Approx. 18 MW (18,000 kW); approx. 9 MW (9,000 kW) to start
Output volume:     Approx. 18 million kWh/year
Installation type: Rooftop, etc.
Construction:      Starting by March 2010 (scheduled)
Completion:        By March 2011 (scheduled)

About Sharp Corporation

Sharp Corporation (TSE: 6753) is a worldwide developer of innovative products and core technologies that play a key role in shaping the future of electronics. As a leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and digital technologies, Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, information products and electronic components, while also creating new network businesses. Sharp Corporation employs about 57,600 people in the world (as of April 30, 2007) and recorded consolidated annual sales of 3,127,771 million yen for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. For more information, please visit www.sharp.co.jp