For 30 years, our scientists have researched, invented and improved solar cells made of very thin layers of semiconductors. In 2005, our first manufacturing line for fully-tested and market-ready thin-film was up and running. From there we set forth a powerful mission - to make thin film solar the technology of choice for multi-megawatt-scale power production. To meet this milestone, we continue to advance our technology and manufacturing capacity. In 2008, capacity will reach 1.6 million square meters of thin-film modules, as we simultaneously build the world's largest thin film manufacturing complex, capable of 10 million square meters per year. And this gigawatt-scale factory is only the first to come.
Although the idea of thin film solar has been with us for decades, only in the past few years has it been deserving of massive commercialization. Sharp's thin film offers reliability, long life, high efficiency and value. Our selection of silicon as the basic semiconductor springs from our exceptional knowledge of silicon thin films, based in part on our world-leading LCD technology and scientific knowledgebase, access to abundant raw material, environmentally friendly manufacturing (and end-of-life disposal) and performance relative to other thin film semiconductors. Our U.S. market product launch incorporates a two-layer solar cell architecture. 2010 will see the introduction of a three-layer architecture. The multi-layer design will allow us to harvest even more of the sun's energy.
These modules are made with less than 1% of the silicon used in our crystalline lines and are manufactured using automated equipment in fewer steps. This means a step-function change in cost per watt and a lower effective cost per kilowatt hours for large-scale applications.
With thin film, we address the emerging market for utility-scale solar power, especially for very large scale ground-based installations in hot climates where abundant open space is available. Already, our thin film modules convert nearly 9% of the sun's total energy into electricity and we're on track to reach 10% from the gigawatt factory. And there is room for continuous improvement to achieve even greater conversion efficiency. For every kW of rated power, thin film delivers more kilowatt hours-up to 10%-than its crystalline silicon cousin, due to substantially greater resistance to losses caused by typical mid-day operating temperature.
