2007
Opening of the Toyama site, start of silicon manufacture for solar cells

The Solar Systems Group opened a Toyama site in order to ensure a stable supply of raw materials for solar cells in 2006, and manufacture of silicon was begun on the end of 2007. With the increase in measures to reduce greenhouse emissions due to the Kyoto Protocol, demand for solar cells has expanded enormously. Increased demand for silicon raw materials, has made ensuring a steady supply of silicon for solar cells an urgent issue. With the establishment of an integrated manufacturing system from raw material to wafer, cell, and module, Sharp will look to ensure its position of dominance in the solar cell industry.