Sharp Energy Solutions Europe is celebrating two anniversaries at once this year, with 30 years of PV activities in Europe and more than 65 years of successfully working in the solar energy industry around the world. Sharp has been a real pioneer in the expansion of renewable energies both globally and in particular in Europe. One of the key reasons Sharp has been able to persist and thrive in the tumultuous solar market, characterised by many bankruptcies, is Sharps position as a large corporation with a diversified product portfolio, a strong brand and a presence in markets across the globe. Despite lots of highs and lows in the solar market, Sharp has again and again successfully adapted to changing conditions and evidenced its powers of innovation.
This makes Sharp the company with the longest history of success in the solar industry.
Milestones in the success story
Since Sharp began developing solar cells in 1959, the company has achieved a number of important milestones in solar technology. As early as 1970, Sharp started producing PV cells for use in space, and in 1976, the company launched the first solar-powered pocket calculators. ‘Uma’, Japan’s first operational satellite, was equipped with Sharp solar cells the same year. By the year 2000, Sharp had established itself as the world’s leading PV manufacturer. In 2018, Sharp set new standards with a 48-cell module and a module efficiency level of 20 %, following this with the introduction of semi-cell modules in 2020. In 2022, bifacial PV modules were added to the module range. In 2024, Sharp presented ground-breaking composite technologies at Intersolar Europe. These include the compound triple junction solar cells with effectiveness of 32.65% that have already successfully been used in space applications and powered the JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) moon mission in January 2024. Sharp is also setting new standards with tandem dual-layer/silicon stack solar cells with 33.66 % effectiveness, exhibited in Europe for the first time. These innovative solutions have the potential to have a massive impact on the future of solar energy.
Campaign launched to search for PV pioneers
To mark the 30-year anniversary of its solar business in Europe, Sharp Energy Solutions Europe is launching a very special anniversary campaign, calling on PV pioneers with long-lasting solar systems with Sharp solar modules to make themselves known. The aim of the campaign is to find the oldest solar systems still in use and tell their stories. The owners of these systems can take part by sending in information and photos of their solar systems to marketing.solar@sharp.eu. These systems are evidence of the quality and longevity of Sharp solar modules. Sharp is looking forward to discovering the fascinating stories behind these solar systems and celebrating the sustainability and resilience of its products.
Peter Thiele, President of Sharp Energy Solutions Europe:
“We are proud to look back on three decades of continuous innovation and sustainable growth in Europe, but also on the framework conditions that have made a great deal possible. The introduction of the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) in 2000 marked the beginning of a new era for solar energy in Germany and Europe and enabled us to press ahead with our vision of cleaner energy. The Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 underlined the global urgency of fighting climate change and increased the demand for our advanced energy solutions. In addition, the technological advances and price reductions in the photovoltaic industry over the last few decades have made a decisive contribution to establishing solar energy as a genuinely competitive alternative. We are particularly proud of our long-standing partnerships with customers that form one of the cornerstones of our continued growth and success. They have supported us along the way and allowed us to take on a leading role in the European solar industry and continue to deliver ground-breaking solutions for a sustainable future.”
For more information please visit:
www.sharp.eu/solar
www.sharp.eu/solar-panels
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About Sharp Energy Solutions
Sharp is one of the world's largest photovoltaic manufacturers and has been a driving force behind the use of photovoltaic technologies for 65 years. Sharp offers solar modules for environmentally conscious energy production. To date, Sharp has delivered more than 50 million PV modules worldwide. Sharp’s portfolio of high-performance PV panels is built for residential, commercial, and free-field installations. Working with partners in advanced engineering sectors including aviation, astronautics and the e-mobility industry, Sharp continuously proves innovative strength with new solar applications. Sharp has been active as an EPC in the project business worldwide, working alongside partners on the development of PV projects. Sharp seeks and acquires project rights at every development stage and offers partners direct access to production capacities and financing options.
