Kyocera TCL Solar Inaugurates Floating Mega Solar Power Plants in Japan
1.7MW floating solar power plant at Nishihira Pond
Kyocera and Century Tokyo Leasing announced today that Kyocera TCL Solar, a joint venture established by the two companies, has completed construction of two floating mega-solar power plants at Nishihira Pond and Higashihira Pond in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
The plants, inaugurated in late March, will generate an estimated 3,300 megawatt hours (MWh) per year in total, enough electricity to power approximately 920 average households.
Overview of the Project in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
- Location: Two reservoirs in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
- Operation: Kyocera TCL Solar LLC
- Output: Nishihira Pond: 1.7MW; Higashihira Pond: 1.2MW
(Total: 2.9MW) - Solar Modules: 255-watt Kyocera modules (11,256 modules in total)
- Expected annual power generation: Approx. 3,300MWh/year
Electricity generated will be sold to the local utility (The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.) through Japan’s feed-in-tariff system. - Start of construction: September 2014
- Start of operation: March 2015
Features
- Floating solar power generating systems typically generate more electricity than ground-mount and rooftop systems due to the cooling effect of the water.
- They reduce reservoir water evaporation and algae growth by shading the water.
- Floating platforms are 100% recyclable, utilizing high-density polyethylene, which can withstand ultraviolet rays and resists corrosion.
- The floating platforms are designed and engineered to withstand extreme physical stress, including typhoon conditions.
Source: Press Release by Kyocera. Image & Video Credit: Kyocera.
