Solar Cells Info

Huntington Beach, CA /April 29, 3007
Source: Sharp Solar Energy Solutions, press release
http://solar.sharpusa.com/solar/press_releases/0,2484,7-2,00.html

Sharp takes to the road to educate the public about the “What,” “Where,” and “Why” of solar power

Sharp’s Solar Energy Solutions Group, the U.S. solar arm of Sharp Corporation, the world leader in solar cell production, has launched a unique awareness campaign that will demystify solar electricity for consumers. Components of the campaign will appear in newspaper ads, internet search results, and web page banners – even a colorful traveling education trailer that will move from town to town throughout California. “Hello Sunshine” will be the tag line, and a lesson about solar electricity, not a sales pitch for Sharp products, will be the message.

“Interest in renewable energy is high, and consumers want very basic knowledge so they can make the right choices. With the Hello Sunshine’ campaign, we’re not pushing our products, we’re educating consumers about just what solar electricity is, and helping them understand the real financial and environmental benefits of this important technology,” said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp’s Solar Energy Solutions Group. “Once they’re educated, we’ve seen that consumers quickly realize that solar is a working technology, it’s available to everyone, and it makes good sense both financially and for the environment.”

In the summer of 2006, a Roper survey commissioned by Sharp demonstrated that consumers are extremely receptive to solar power, with eight out of ten Americans believing that homebuilders should offer solar power as an option for all new home construction. Two-thirds of those surveyed were willing to pay a premium for homes that have solar systems installed, when told that solar homes have a proven higher resale value, and one-half of respondents would spend up to 10 percent more for a solar-equipped house. But further research found that while interest was high, many consumers had very little understanding about solar electricity.

The “Hello Sunshine” campaign is a friendly and engaging approach to the consumer, and incorporates six “solar lessons” that will unlock their interest in solar through increased awareness and understanding. These six lessons are being rolled out in print and online mediums over a six month period that began in March. The ads direct consumers to HelloSunshineCA.com where further information can be found about the lessons and where consumers have the option to dive even deeper through an opt-in newsletter delivered to their e-mail inbox.

“We feel a special commitment to solar electricity as the market leader in the industry, particularly during such an exciting time of accelerated growth and heightened public interest in clean and renewable forms of energy,” said Marc Cortez, director of marketing, Solar Energy Solutions Group, Sharp. “This longer, education-oriented approach is in line with the consumer’s desire to learn more details about solar when considering a solar electric system purchase.”

In conjunction with print and online media, Sharp created the “Hello Sunshine” trailer, which will carry all six lessons from city to city throughout California – Sacramento, San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego – and several stops in between. Powered by an alternative fuel vehicle to lessen the impact on the environment, the trailer will show up at county fairs, conventions, malls, and other events where people can see and touch a solar panel and ask questions about what solar electricity really is and how it can benefit them. The tour also is designed to generate further media interest as it progresses across the state.
Sharp’s Solar Energy Solutions Group is a unit of Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is the world market leader in solar panel production, and offers both standard and integrated roof modules for home applications. Sharp also is the U.S. market leader and maintains solar panel assembly operations at its manufacturing facility in Memphis, TN. The solar manufacturing facility assembles a variety of panels for residential and commercial installations.

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, and the “Hello Sunshine” campaign website is www.hellosunshineCA.com.