Sharp Corporation has said that it will start volume production of its 2nd-generation thin-film solar cell modules at its new plant in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture, Japan, this October. The new line raises its thin-film capacity to 160MW.
Sharps 2nd-generation thin-film solar cells feature a claimed 9 percent module conversion efficiency and high 128W power output on a 1,000 x 1,400mm glass substrate. Initially modules from the new line will be shipped to large solar power generating plants in Europe, the company said.
Sharp also reiterated that it had invested approximately ¥22 billion in the new plant’s capacity expansion. Sharp is also investing approximately ¥72 billion in the first phase expansion of a new plant in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, which will become operational in fiscal 2009, where plans are in place for module efficiencies of 10 percent, according to the company.
