ANAHEIM, Calif., October 27, 2009 – Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, continues its leadership in the U.S. solar market, having achieved several milestones during its seven years of operations and manufacturing in the U.S.

Since opening its solar manufacturing facility in Memphis in 2002, Sharp has:
 
· Manufactured 300 megawatts (MWs) of solar modules in the U.S.

·Celebrated the production of the one millionth solar module at its Memphis factory

·Deployed hundreds of MWs of Sharp solar modules in the U.S., including installations at FedEx, Google, Denver International Airport, and San Francisco’s AT&T Park

·Increased the annual production capacity at the Memphis facility to 100 MW

·Created green jobs by growing the workforce at the Memphis facility to nearly 300 people

·Launched new thin film photovoltaic technology product, used in California’s first utility-scale photovoltaic solar project to be approved under the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) program

· Captured 18 percent of California market share in 2009 (YTD)*, making it the leading provider of solar PV in the State.

"As a longstanding global solar leader, Sharp has been a major contributor in fostering the growth of the U.S. solar market,” said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group. “We are working to make our nation’s energy portfolio more sustainable, creating green jobs and helping combat climate change, while helping secure energy independence and security.”

With 100 years of manufacturing expertise, 50 years of experience in solar and excellent product performance, Sharp has earned a reputation as the most trusted, reliable solar module provider in the U.S. and worldwide.  Despite an increasingly crowded and competitive marketplace, Sharp has grown its presence in the U.S., supplying the solar modules that power thousands of residential, commercial and utility-scale solar electricity systems throughout the country. Looking ahead, Sharp plans to supply gigawatts of solar panels as more businesses, utilities, local governments and consumers embrace clean, renewable solar electricity as their energy of choice.

Solar will continue to extend its clean energy footprint throughout the U.S., as the implementation of the federal economic stimulus program and the federal investment tax credit make solar more available to interested customers.  “While Sharp is proud of our track record so far, there is still much to be done to make solar power a mainstream energy choice for Americans,” added Kenedi.  “We are helping to make solar a more accessible and affordable option for electricity customers throughout the nation, by supplying a high quality product that they can rely on.”


*Per California Solar Initiative data and Pacific Crest Securities Data Analysis

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