These five solar power plants use thin-film solar cell modules manufactured by 3Sun S.r.l., an equal joint venture of Sharp, EGP, and ST Microelectronics(3) established for the integrated production of thin-film solar cells which began operations in December 2011. The total installed capacity of solar cells at the five locations is approximately 14.4 MW, and the annual power generation is projected to be 19.5 million kWh, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of approximately 7,200 typical Italian households. This will help reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 10,000 tons.
Thin-film solar cells, in addition to using less natural resources and requiring fewer steps in the production process, feature high long-term reliability and offer superior power generating efficiency in hot-climate regions. They are expected to find application in mega-solar projects around the globe. In the European Union (EU), it is estimated that renewable energy will account for at least 55% of end-user energy consumption by 2050, and installation of large-scale solar power plants in regions with long hours of daylight, and therefore large amounts of solar radiation, is expected to expand.
In the future, ESSE plans to construct multiple solar power plants with a total generating capacity of more than 500 MW by the end of 2016. With the addition of these five sites, it has six solar power plants in commercial operation in Italy with total capacity of approximately 20 MW. In the future, ESSE will continue to expand its solar power business in Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean area, as well as in the Middle East and Africa, leveraging the strength of its thin-film solar cell modules produced in Italy.
Overview of Solar Power Generation Plants in Italy
Operator: Enel Green Power & Sharp Solar Energy S.r.l.
Locations (installed capacity):
Altomonte, Calabria Region, Republic of Italy (8.2 MW)
Istia, Calabria Region, Republic of Italy (1.4 MW)
Granataro, Calabria Region, Republic of Italy (1 MW)
Bisignano, Calabria Region, Republic of Italy (1.2 MW)
Latina, Lazio Region, Republic of Italy (2.6 MW)
Altomonte, Calabria Region, Republic of Italy (5 MW),
began operation in March 2011
Overview of Enel Green Power & Sharp Solar Energy S.r.l.
Company: Enel Green Power & Sharp Solar Energy S.r.l.
Location: Rome, Lazio, Republic of Italy
Established: July 22, 2010
Shareholding: EGP: 50%, Sharp: 40%, Sharp Electronics Italy(4): 10%
Business: Design, construction, and management of solar power
generation plants
Location of
power gen.
plants(plan): Europe with a focus on the Mediterranean region,
the Middle East, and Africa
Power gen.
capacity: Over 500 MW in total by the end of 2016
(1) Enel Green Power is a group company of Enel, the largest power company in Italy, dedicated to developing and managing worldwide energy generation from renewable sources in Italy and abroad.
(2) An independent power producer owns facilities to generate electric power for sale to utilities and end users.
(3) STMicroelectronics is the leading semiconductor manufacturer in Europe established in 1987.
(4) Sharp Electronics (Italia) S.p.A. is Sharp’s sales subsidiary in Italy.
Sharp Corporation (TSE: 6753) is a worldwide developer of innovative products and core technologies that play a key role in shaping the future of electronics. As a leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and digital technologies, Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, information products and electronic components, while also creating new network businesses.
