In response to growing European demand for photovoltaic (PV) panels, Sharp Manufacturing UK has announced that it will invest $56 million to double its production of solar panels at its plant in Wrexham, Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government said. Three new assembly lines will increase the company’s PV panel production capacity to 500 MW. Currently employing 750 people, the facility is expected to require several hundred additional workers. The plant opened in 2004 with an annual capacity of 20 MW and has experienced continued expansion ever since.