Founded in 1912, Sharp Corporation is a Japanese company that operates globally across various technology sectors, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, and, since the 1950s, renewable energy. With over 60 years of experience in the solar industry, Sharp is a pioneer in photovoltaics (PV), being one of the first manufacturers of solar cells on a global scale. Today, Sharp continues to develop advanced energy production and management solutions, adapting to environmental challenges and new market demands.
Sharp has diversified its offerings to provide a full range of solar products and energy solutions:
- Photovoltaic Module Manufacturing: Sharp offers high-performance PV modules for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Its products include:
-
-
- Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline Modules: Sharp’s solar modules are renowned for their reliability and durability, especially in challenging environments.
-
-
-
- Double-Glass Technology: Sharp uses double-glass technology for its photovoltaic modules, enhancing durability and resistance to extreme weather. This feature extends module lifespan and reduces long-term maintenance costs.
-
- Energy Storage Solutions: Sharp provides storage systems to meet the growing demand for energy management. The company has developed solutions for home solar systems, allowing users to store generated energy and optimize self-sufficiency.
-
-
- Sharp Smart Storage System: This intelligent storage solution easily integrates with photovoltaic systems and enables optimal energy management based on household needs or energy price fluctuations. Sharp also collaborates with partners to develop commercial and industrial storage systems, maximizing the efficiency of large solar installations.
-
- Energy Management and Software: Sharp offers intelligent energy management systems that help users monitor and optimize their energy production and consumption in real time.
-
-
- Sharp Monitoring Platform: This platform allows users to track the energy production of their PV modules and identify potential optimizations to reduce their energy footprint.
-
-
-
- Energy Resale Optimization: Sharp develops management solutions enabling users to sell excess solar energy back to the grid, supporting a transition to more resilient networks and encouraging individual participation in renewable energy production.
-
Sharp has a solid reputation for the quality and reliability of its photovoltaic products. Although the company does not reach the production capacity of the largest global module manufacturers, it maintains a significant position in key markets, particularly in Europe and Japan, where its brand is associated with durability and performance.
Sharp’s expertise in integration technologies, combined with its longstanding experience in electronics, allows it to offer efficient and durable products suited to variable and demanding climates. Its position is strengthened by a loyal residential and commercial customer base that prioritizes the reliability and longevity of solar installations.
Sharp adopts a proactive approach to sustainability, integrating circular economy principles into its production cycle and product lifecycle:
- Sustainable Design: Sharp manufactures its solar modules using materials selected for their durability and recyclability at end-of-life. Sharp’s double-glass technology focuses on reducing wear and enhancing resilience to elements, extending the useful life of panels.
- Solar Module Recycling: Sharp participates in R&D initiatives in solar module recycling. The company has established recycling programs to recover materials from end-of-life panels, particularly silicon, glass, and metals like copper. These efforts aim to minimize waste and reuse resources within a circular model.
- Production Waste Reduction: Sharp implements manufacturing optimization processes to reduce waste generated during production. For example, Sharp recycles silicon offcuts from solar cell production, contributing to better resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Sharp is committed to playing a role in the global transition to clean and sustainable energy by continuing to develop advanced solar and storage solutions. Sharp’s strategy is based on continuous innovation and an integrated energy solutions approach, promoting an energy model where users can generate, consume, and manage their own electricity.
The company is also exploring virtual power plant solutions, where residential and commercial solar installations could interact directly with the electrical grid. These virtual power plants would help stabilize grids and enhance the integration of renewable energy into the energy infrastructure.
Sharp is an experienced and reliable player in the photovoltaic sector, recognized for its robust and high-performing products and its commitment to sustainability. Its integration of circular economy principles, notably through solar module recycling and production waste reduction, reflects its dedication to minimizing environmental impact. By combining its energy production and management solutions with a strategy focused on sustainable innovation, Sharp positions itself as a significant contributor to the global energy transition.