Sharp Shows the Solar Industry and Consumers 'It's On' at Solar Power 2006

Business Wire, Oct 17, 2006

New Brand Campaign, Financing Program for Residential Solar Systems and Complete Solar Racking System Help Make Solar Energy Accessible to the Masses

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- At Solar Power 2006, Sharp is unveiling a new brand campaign designed to deepen the company's connection with consumers and strengthen its presence in the residential market. Together with home equity financing options through CitiMortgage and the launch of a complete Solar Racking System, Sharp's branding efforts will make solar power more accessible to consumers than ever before.

"We're honored to be the market leader in the industry, particularly during such an exciting time of accelerated growth and heightened public interest," said Marc Cortez, director of marketing, Solar Energy Solutions Group, Sharp. "It's a responsibility we take seriously by learning from and communicating with our customers, so that in turn we can offer the highest-performing and most reliable solar solutions."

Sharp's new brand identity was borne of extensive focus group and telephone survey research, and consists of two distinct elements that address installers and individual consumers with efforts that make it easier than ever to go solar.

The "It's On" portion of the campaign highlights Sharp's ongoing commitment to installers by providing them with new systems, tools and products that will help them grow their businesses. Installers have expressed a universal interest in products for streamlined installation, and Sharp's new Solar Racking System offers a full package that makes it easier to buy and install systems for both residential and commercial buildings. The Solar Racking System provides contractors with the unique advantage of a simplified installation, as well as improved aesthetics and superb reliability.

The consumer element of the campaign features a "Hello, Sunshine" slogan, meant to engage this growing customer base and educate them on the benefits of solar energy. A recent Roper survey commissioned by Sharp demonstrated that consumers are extremely receptive to solar power, with eight out of 10 Americans believing that homebuilders should offer solar power as an option for all new home construction. Two-thirds of those surveyed were willing to pay a premium for homes that have solar systems installed, when told that solar homes have a proven higher resale value, and one-half of respondents would spend up to 10 percent more for a solar-equipped house.

To further engage these consumers and help finance a solar installation, Sharp has teamed with CitiMortgage to offer a home equity financing program for solar energy systems. Instead of dipping into savings or applying for a standard loan through a bank, homeowners can use the equity in their homes to help offset the cost of installing solar panels on the roof.

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. To meet the burgeoning demand both in Japan and internationally, Sharp's worldwide solar cell production capacity is currently 500 MW. Sharp is the world market leader in solar panel production, and offers both standard and integrated roof modules for home applications. Sharp began solar panel assembly operations at its manufacturing facility in Memphis, TN in October 2003 to meet the increasing demand for solar energy in the U.S. The solar manufacturing facility assembles a variety of panels for residential and commercial installations.

Further information on Sharp's commitment to solar energy, its solar product line, and the ways in which Sharp makes it easy to go solar is available online at solar.sharpusa.com or at Sharpitson.com.

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the Mahwah, N.J.-based marketing and sales subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of the core technologies that are integral to shaping the next generation of home entertainment products, appliances, networked, multifunctional office solutions, solar energy and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS[R] Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit[TM] digital audio products, SharpVision[R] projection products, Carousel[R] microwaves, IMAGER[TM] digital multifunctional systems, and Notevision[R] multimedia projectors. Sharp Electronics Corporation employs approximately 2,000 people throughout the U.S. supporting more than 50 product lines.