Sharp's Commercialization and Industrialization of Solar Cells Recognized as IEEE*1 Milestone*2
On April 10, 2010, a ceremony and press conference were held to mark the recognition of Sharp solar cells as an IEEE Milestone.
Sharp's achievements in the commercialization and industrialization of solar cells from 1959 to 1983 have been recognized as an IEEE Milestone from the IEEE, the world's largest academic society for electrical, electronics, information, and telecommunications engineering.
President Mikio Katayama accepts the commemorative plaque from the IEEE
This recognition represents high praise for Sharp's efforts to bring solar cells into practical use and to contribute to the solar cell industry with products for applications ranging from lighthouses and space satellites to housing. This is Sharp's second IEEE Milestone, having been awarded one in 2005 for leading the industry in the development of electronic calculators from 1964 to 1973. It is also the 14th IEEE Milestone for a Japanese company.
At the ceremony, Sharp received a commemorative plaque to mark this highly prestigious recognition of its solar cell business. Afterwards, Senior Executive Managing Officer Kenji Ohta led the press conference announcing the IEEE Milestone and outlining Sharp's solar cell business.
Sharp will continue its efforts to achieve technological innovations in solar cells as it works to spread the use of solar energy, a powerful means of curbing global warming.
A scene from the press conference
Kenji Ohta, Senior Executive Managing Officer
- *1 The IEEE is the world's largest non-profit association of electrical and electronics engineers, with headquarters in the US. Through its more than 395,000 members worldwide, the IEEE plays a leading role in technical areas ranging from computer engineering, electronics, and telecommunications to electric power, aerospace engineering, and biomedical technology.
- *2 IEEE Milestone
The IEEE established the IEEE Milestone program in 1983 to honor historic achievements—among significant innovations made in the fields of electrical, electronics, information, and telecommunications engineering—that have been recognized as having contributed to the betterment of society and the advancement of industry. Currently there are more than 100 Milestones around the world, including Volta's Electrical Battery Invention and the Fleming Valve. In Japan, the Directive Short Wave ("Yagi") Antenna (1995), the Mount Fuji Radar System (2000), the Tokaido Shinkansen ("Bullet Train") (2000), the Electronic Quartz Wristwatch (2004), and Sharp's electronic calculator (2005) have been recognized.