Kyocera Corporation and Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation have solidified plans to develop and operate a 13.4- MW floating solar power plant on the Yamakura Dam reservoir. The plant will become the largest floating solar installation in the world in terms of output.
Aiming to reduce its burden on the environment, the Public Enterprises Agency of Chiba Prefecture had been publicly seeking companies to construct and operate a floating solar power plant at the Yamakura Dam. Kyocera TCL Solar was selected to undertake this project in part due to its experience developing utility-scale solar power plants in Japan. The company aims to begin operations in March 2016.
The project comprises approximately 50,000 Kyocera modules installed over a water surface area of almost seven square miles. The plant will generate an estimated 15,635 MWh per year.
Under the plan, Kyocera TCL Solar will build and operate the installation, and Century Tokyo Leasing will provide project financing. The Kyocera Group will be responsible for the supply of solar modules and related equipment in addition to construction, operation and maintenance. The modules will be installed on floating platforms manufactured by the French company Ciel et Terre, which is also supplying the platforms for a floating solar power plant project in Hyogo Prefecture currently being constructed by Kyocera TCL Solar.
An environmental education facility will be constructed adjacent to the plant to provide environmental classes for local elementary school students.
Earlier this year, Kyocera, Century Tokyo Leasing and Ciel et Terre announced the construction of two other floating solar installations totaling 2.9 MW.