Sharp 2010 Annual Report Download - page 25

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Sales and profits both increased for this product group. Sales increased mainly in Japan, supported by subsidies to
assist with installation costs for residential photovoltaic power generation systems, and a scheme to require utility
companies to buy back surplus power generated.
This product group saw sales decline as sales prices of devices mainly for digital products fell, despite growth in sales
of mainstay CCD/CMOS imagers. Profits increased, however, despite the decline in sales.
Solar Cells
The mainstay European market was temporarily impacted by revisions to feed-in tariffs and the
financial crisis, but the market was relatively solid in the second half of the fiscal year. In the
Japanese market, demand increased, particularly for residential applications, due to the
strengthening of government policies to promote greater uptake. In crystalline solar cells, we
worked to reduce material costs through strategic procurement of silicon materials, and to
expand the sales network. We also commenced production of thin-film solar cells at the new
plant in GREEN FRONT SAKAI. With governments around the world bolstering their environ-
mental policies and programs, demand for solar cells is expected to grow worldwide. We will
therefore expand our production frameworks for both crystalline solar cells and thin-film solar
cells, and boost our cost performance by improving conversion efficiencies and productivity.
Electronic Devices
The electronic devices market showed signs of recovery after a downturn due to the
global economic slowdown. However, although sales volumes increased, prices fell
significantly. Sharp responded by leveraging its strengths in a wide range of devices,
from semiconductors to electronic components, and working to merge technologies to
create distinctive devices. We developed high value-added devices such as 12 mega-
pixel CCD camera modules and solar modules for mobile devices. Other developments
include LED backlight modules for LCD TVs and LED modules for lighting, which have
expanded our business fields. Next we will strengthen our LED business by vertically
integrating it from LED chips through to products equipped with LEDs.
Solar Cells
Other Electronic Devices
Sales of Solar Cells
(billions of yen)
Sales of Other Electronic Devices
(billions of yen)
6.4%
8.9%
Solar cell plant at GREEN FRONT SAKAI
2009
2008
0 250
2010
20015010050
2009
2008
0 400300
2010
200100
LED device for lighting12 megapixel CCD
camera module
Fiscal 2009 Review by Product Group
Annual Report 2010 23