Today, Sharp is a company that is better known for it's consumer electronics than for its contributions to photovoltaic technology.

That is about to change! Sharp began researching solar cells in 1959 with mass production first beginning in 1963. Production capacity has since grown to more than 100 MW with plans to double production capacity to 200 MW this year. As the world's leading manufacturer of PV modules, Sharp produces both single and multi-crystalline solar cells. These cells are incorporated into an extensive line of high-power modules. Each is built with superb durability to withstand the most figorous operating conditions.

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Department Of Energy Proposed Budget Reduces Solar

In the fiscal year 2003 Department of Energy proposed budget, renewable energy resources face both budget increases and cuts.

One sector facing a cut is Solar Energy, which will see a budget decrease of two percent should Congress adopt the budget as pre sented. The budget request for FY 2003 for solar is US$87,625,000 down from US$89,442,000 in FY 2002 and down from US$91,694,000 in FY 2001.

The budget sets several goals for solar energy research and development primarily focused on reducing the production costs of photo voltaic energy and researching “Zero Energy” buildings.

According to the budget document, the de crease in overall funding reflects reduced funding for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), “which shows little promise for further reducing solar energy production costs.” The budget reduces the CSP budget by 63 percent.

Photovoltaic energy systems fundamental re search sees a proposed increase in funding to more than US$30 million from just over US$21 million in 2002 and sets a long-term goal of reach PV electricity produced for 6 cents/kWh.

According to the budget “Fundamental research aimed at major innovations is required to essen tially double the conversion efficiency of thin films from their current eight to 10 percent to 15 to 20 percent and to increase the Ill-V-based, multi- junction cells from 30 to 40 percent under 500X concentration.”

A big winner in the budget, which would benefit from other solar research is Zero-Energy Building (ZEB) Design, which increases over 400 percent to US$8 million. The budget states that ZEB “will be designed to optimally combine very energy- efficient building envelopes, appliances, lighting, advanced controls and heating/cooling systems with solar water heating and solar electric sys tems to eliminate the need for offsite energy on an annual basis

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