Kyocera plans to install solar power generating systems using the company’s own solar modules at six domestic plants by March 2011, generating a total of 593 kW. This move will increase the number of Kyocera domestic manufacturing sites with solar power to 10, which is all of the company’s manufacturing sites in Japan, and the number of global group company sites to 20.
Kyocera will install the solar systems at the Yasu Plant (Shiga), which is the company’s new solar cell manufacturing plant; the Kitami Plant (Hokkaido), which mainly manufactures mobile phone handsets; and the Sendai Plant (Kyushu), which mainly manufactures ceramic components and ceramic knives.
Kyocera already has 14 solar power generating systems installed at group companies in Japan and globally, which when combined with the new systems, will boost the company’s total output to 1,815 kW (1.8 MW). These installations also are expected to help reduce the company’s CO2 emissions.
Some of those installations include a 214-kW solar power generating system at its global headquarters in Kyoto, and a solar tree grove in the parking lot of Kyocera’s San Diego facility, which also act as shade to keep sun off the cars.
Solar groves have been installed at a variety of different businesses, ranging from computer maker Dell to fast-food restaurant McDonald’s.
In other solar news, Harris Tea, a tea and beverage packager, will start operating its first solar power system this week (August 31). The array is installed on the company’s two buildings in Anaheim, California, and will generate 450,000 kilowatt hours annually.
The solar installation is expected to reduce the company’s CO2 emissions by more than 300 tons annually, avoiding 15 million pounds of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the lifetime of the system.
The project was partially funded by the Anaheim Public Utilities’ Solar Advantage Program through the California Solar Initiative.