A consortium of Japanese companies has started commercial operation of a 100MW photovoltaic plant in Kyushu, Japan.
GF Corporation, Kyocera Corporation, Kyudenko Corporation, and Tokyo Century Corporation developed the Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills plant on land that was originally intended for a golf course over 30 years ago.
Project planning began in January 2014, after the local community expressed interest in repurposing the abandoned area.
The site hosts 356,928 Kyocera solar modules and is expected to generate approximately 117,000 megawatt-hours of clean electricity a year.
Under the agreement the project company Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills will operate the solar plant.
Kyudenko and GF undertook design and construction of the project and will also maintain the facility.
Tokyo Century is responsible for the financing arrangement, with Tokyo Century and The Bank of Fukuoka jointly arranging a syndicated loan with 17 regional banks.
Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills developed and constructed the project with the cooperation of Kagoshima Prefecture, Kanoya City, the Town of Osaki, and other community stakeholders.
The consortium said it aimed to build a power plant with an environmentally friendly design to minimise land development impact.
Kyocera smart energy group general manager Akihito Kubota said: “GF, Kyocera, Kyudenko and Tokyo Century started this project with a commitment to contribute to the community in cooperation with local governments by assisting with a long-term land redevelopment vision.
“Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills aims to operate a power plant with an environmentally friendly design to minimise land redevelopment impact.
“Through this project, we will continue to promote renewable energy, environmental protection, and a more sustainable society.”