An enterprise jointly established by Kyocera Corporation, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc., Tokyo Century Corporation and Yonden Engineering Company, Incorporated has announced the completion of a 14.5-megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The installation, which began operation on November 2, will generate an estimated 16,060 megawatt-hours (MWh) per year — enough electricity to power approximately 5,000 typical households. A ceremony was held November 29 to commemorate the plant’s completion.
Kyocera, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Tokyo Century and Yonden Engineering began project planning in May 2013 based on candidate sites disclosed by Hyogo Prefecture. The companies established Takacho Yasudago Mega Solar Hatsuden LLC in October 2014 and commenced construction after obtaining approval for land development in March 2015. The system began selling electricity on November 2 this year.
Takacho Yasudago Mega Solar Hatsuden will be responsible for operating the site. Tokyo Century arranged financing, and design and construction was undertaken by Yonden Engineering. The Kyocera Group supplied solar modules as well as peripheral equipment for the installation, and will also carry out maintenance. Mitsubishi Research Institute, which headed the project and provided consultation, will also undertake administration (asset management) of Takacho Yasudago Mega Solar Hatsuden.
Approximately 100 individuals affiliated with the project, including public officers of Taka Town and local residents, participated in the completion ceremony. Through this project, Kyocera, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Tokyo Century and Yonden Engineering aim to further promote the use of renewable energy and contribute to the community’s revitalisation.
Kyocera Corporation, the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2016, the company’s net sales totalled 1.48 trillion yen (approx. USD13.1 billion). Kyocera appears on the Thomson Reuters list of the “Top 100 Global Innovators” and is ranked #531 on Forbes magazine’s 2016 “Global 2000” listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.