Last year the company announced a £30m expansion which will doublesolar panelproduction at the site in Llay. It has now been revealed that the scale of the work will result in a massive jobs boost.

According toSharp, the expansion will increase the workforce to 1,100. Chris Huhne, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, described the news as “excellent”.

The investment will almost double Sharp’s production capacity at the site, with an additional 3,000 panels being made every day.

As part of the development plans, a new training academy is being opened, training between 25 and 50 solar panel installers per month.

Mr Huhne said: “This is excellent news for thesolarindustry and for Sharp, which shows that green growth is a vital part of our economic recovery.

“SinceFeed-In Tariffsbegan, the scheme has stimulated a market in solar panels which has seen around 19,000 installed to date.”

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “I’m delighted that such an important employer has chosen to make this commitment in Wales, as these are real, green jobs in one of the sectors we are working hard to develop.

“Our new economic policy focuses on exactly this kind of advanced manufacturing to stimulate economic growth and encourage innovation and enterprise.”