SHARP CORPORATION JAPAN - TELEVISIONS, HI FI, CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES, COMPUTERS, SOLAR PANELS, LCD DISPLAYS - INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS COMPANY

About Sharp Corporation

Sharp Corporation (TSE: 6753) was established in 1912 and is engaged in the manufacture and sale of electrical communications equipment, electric equipment and electronics-applied equipment, including televisions, video cameras, CD stereos, MD players, fridges, faxes, and mobile phones. Its other divisions cover electronics (TV, video, camcorder, CD stereo, MD player, fridges, fax, mobile phones) and electronics components (opto devices, CD-ROM devices, photo voltaic devices).

Sharp's business is pointed at the electronics market. Best known for its consumer electronics, the company is a leading maker of electronic components and computer hardware and peripherals. Its flagship components business includes liquid crystal displays (LCDs, used in everything from airplane cockpits to PCs to pinball machines), flash memory, integrated circuits, and laser diodes used in optical data drives. Sharp also makes PCs, printers, and cell phones; consumer audio and video products, such as CD and DVD players and video cameras; and a variety of appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and vacuum cleaners. Sharp plans to stop making color TVs, focusing its efforts instead on LCD TVs.

Since 1959, Sharp has been harnessing the power of the sun to improve the quality of life. Today, they are the world’s no1 manufacturer of Solar cells. In fact, Sharp’s high quality, Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems are used for everything from satellites to lighthouses, industrial applications to residential use. In 2001 Sharp was responsible for 19.2%* of the world's total production of solar cells* Source: PV News (February 2002 issue)

Sharp’s photovoltaic modules are designed for large electrical power requirements. Based on the technology of crystal silicon solar cells cultivated for over 35 years, these modules have superb durability to withstand rigorous operating conditions and are suitable for grid connected or stand-alone systems.

Sharp Solar PV Panels	Rated Power	Performance Warranty	Weight	Length	Width	Height	Price Ex. VAT
		Yrs	KG	mm	mm	mm	GBP (£)

NE-80	80w	25	8.5	1200	530	35	£ 299.90
ND-L3	123w	25	14.5	1499	662	46	£ 452.78

SHARP CORP. 3 YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY	2002 JPY in thousands	2003 JPY in thousands	2004 JPY in thousands
Net Sales	1,803,798,000	2,003,210,000	2,257,273,000
EBITDA	181,741,000	234,441,000	273,078,000
EBIT	46,747,000	89,045,000	103,270,000
Net Profit	11,311,000	32,594,000	60,715,000
Ordinary Dividend	-15,714,000	-15,463,000	-17,437,000
Long Term Invest.	134,473,000	115,301,000	140,682,000
Fixed Assets	637,244,000	672,987,000	760,797,000
Current Liabilities	813,462,000	818,408,000	950,015,000
Long Term Debt	173,839,000	232,038,000	198,835,000
Provisions	9,314,000	9,926,000	15,789,000
Minorities	10,630,000	8,854,000	7,905,000
Total Shareholder Eq	926,856,000	902,116,000	943,532,000
Stocks/Inv.	284,761,000	284,964,000	273,668,000
Cash	247,605,000	271,712,000	277,623,000
KEY RATIOS	2002	2003	2004
Net Profit Margin	0.63 %	1.63 %	2.69 %
ROE	1.21 %
Cur. Ratio	1.3300	1.3600	1.2100
Debt/Capital	0.2600	0.2500	0.2100

Sharp to Expand Solar Cell Production Output to 400 MW Annually, the World's Highest

Tokyo, Japan, Dec 16, 2004 - (JCN Newswire) - Sharp Corporation will bolster its solar cell production lines at its Katsuragi Plant* in Nara Prefecture to cope with burgeoning demand both in Japan and internationally. This move will expand annual production output from the previous 315 MW (megawatts) to 400 MW per year. The new line will become operational in January 2005.

The momentum behind the introduction of renewable energy in countries around the world continues to grow. Efforts along these lines include the Kyoto Protocol, which aims at preventing global warming, going into effect in February 2005; the strengthening of policies in European countries to encourage more widespread use, in particular, the new Renewable Energy Law in Germany; and incentives being put in place by various states in the US. Reflecting these efforts, the total amount of electrical energy produced annually from photovoltaic sources (solar cells) in fiscal 2004 is estimated to be approximately 900 MW, and predictions are that this figure will grow to a level exceeding 1.1 GW (gigawatts) in fiscal 2005.

Demand in Japan, which leads the world in photovoltaic energy production, continues strong, centered primarily on residential applications. Rapid growth is also being predicted in the future for large-scale systems designed for industrial and electric utility use both inside and outside of Japan. To respond to these demands, Sharp will soon put a new production line into operation based on a new high-productivity process. Also, to provide against potential shortages of silicon, the raw material for solar cell substrates, we are also working to use this material more effectively by reducing the cell film thickness from 200 µm to 180 µm, and will continue to strive to lower costs.

Sharp Corporation intends to further expand its solar cell production capacity, while at the same time, aiming at becoming a "zero global warming impact company" that contributes to the achievement of a clean energy society.

*Formerly our Shinjo Plant; name has been changed because of the merger of two towns.

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