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Sharp Installs Largest Solar Electricity System by Staff Memphis Business Journal, June 19, 2007

Sharp's Solar Energy Solutions Group installed solar modules at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.

The unit of Sharp Electronics Corp. said in a statement this is the largest commercial solar electricity system in the U.S. to date.

In addition to roof-mounted arrays, the system also features a new structure that encompasses two carports with plug-ins for hybrid cars. Sharp provided 9,212 modules for the project. El Solutions of San Rafael, Calif. designed the 208-watt modules.

The 1.6-megawatt system is designed to feed into Google's overall operations, reducing the amount of electricity the company purchases from its local utility. The system takes up most of the available roof space on the Googleplex campus.

"With this system, Google is setting an example for other corporations as to the tremendous environmental and financial benefits of solar energy," said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp's Solar Energy Solutions Group, in a statement. "But even more so, Google is demonstrating that solar electricity is just like regular electricity, and it can power anything -- from computers to copiers to servers to hybrid electric cars."

Sharp operates a solar panel assembly plant in Memphis. The solar manufacturing facility assembles a variety of panels for residential and commercial installations.