Largest lcd plant planned
Sharp will begin building the world’s most modern lcd plant in Sakai near Osaka at the end of this year. In addition to being the largest plant for thin film solar cells, the industrial park – which will cover an area of more than 1million sq m – will also accommodate suppliers.
The facility will be the world’s first lcd plant manufacturing mother glasses with a size of 8.7sq m (2.85 x 3.05m) – 60% larger than those being used by Sharp’s eighth generation plant Kameyama II. The mother glass will allow six 60in or eight 50in lcd panels to be manufactured.
At the same time, Sharp will build the largest solar cell plant next to the LCD factory. Besides polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar cells, Sharp will also produce thin film solar cells. Production is planned to reach 1000MW per year.
Construction of the new plants will begin in November and production is planned for March 2010.
