In the year 2000, 50,400 kW of photovoltaic modules were produced, representing 17.5% of total world production of photovoltaic modules, Sharp became the world’s leading manufacturer (PV NEWS), enabling 54,700 MWh of power to be generated each year. In comparison to producing the same amount of power with an oil thermal power plant, carbon dioxide emission reductions of 36,102 tons were achieved (calculated at carbon dioxide emissions for oil thermal power plant =200g-C/kWh (733g-CO2/kWh) for crystal silicon photovoltaic modules =20g-C/kWh (73.3g-C/kWh)^*1.