Sharp, Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery to provide photovoltaic power systems to earthquake and tsunami disaster areas in Japan
Osaka and Tokyo, Japan--Sharp Corporation and Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co. are jointly preparing 250 photovoltaic (PV) power systems to areas in Japan afflicted by the March 10 earthquake and tsunami centered on the Tohoku area. Each system includes Sharp PV calls, Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery storage batteries, and a standard AC power strip. The systems are small, with flat PV cells, and are intended for charging mobile-phone and other similar batteries.
After the disaster, Sharp quickly put together a solar-power system designed for disaster-stricken areas; with the support of Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery and other business partners, it is quickly becoming reality.
With the cooperation of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the two companies are planning for the systems to be set up and operating at emergency shelters beginning March 25.
Up until recently, shipment and transport to the disaster areas have been difficult. But now that there is a system set in place by the Ministry of Defense for the transportation of goods upon the request of prefectural governments, corporations like Sharp are able to send relief supplies.
The PV systems will be invaluable to those in areas where utility-supplied electric power may not be restored for some time to come.
Source: Sharp-World
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John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)
John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.