In the past few years photovoltaics have developed into an important Division of Sharp Corporation. For five years now Sharp has been the global leader in the production of solar modules, with a capacity of 324 megawatts in 2004.

This corresponds to a market share of 27.1 per cent. Sharp solar cells are manufactured at the Katsuragi plant in the province of Nara, Japan. From these solar cells PV modules are produced at two Japanese plants, as well as in Memphis/USA, and in Europe in Wrexham/Wales. Moreover research and development are continuously being pushed in the photovoltaics technology.