Jan. 9, 2008 Electronics maker Sharp plans to do its part in the fight against global warming by boosting production of its energy-efficient LCD TVs and solar energy products, AP reports. Not incidentally, the two product categories already make up the bulk of Sharp's business.

"We plan to contribute to preventing global warming through clean energy," says Sharp president Mikio Katayama. The company is a leading manufacturer of solar cells, which generate electricity from sunlight.

Sharp is also one of the biggest manufacturers, along with Sony and Samsung, of liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs. The company says it will boost production of LCD panels both for its own TVs and for other brands. In addition, the company says it aims to edge out its rivals by developing a more efficient LCD TV that consumes half the energy used by a standard picture-tube TV. Today's standard LCD TVs consume about 40% less than regular TV sets.

On Tuesday, Sharp unveiled the prototype for an energy-efficient, 65-inch LCD panel that's just 29 millimeters thick.