Kyocera TCL Solar Starts Operation of Japan’s Largest 13.7MW Floating Solar Power Plant

Kyocera Corporation and Tokyo Century Corporation announced that Kyocera TCL Solar has started operation of Japan’s largest 13.7 megawatt (MW) floating solar plant this month.

Located on the Yamakura Dam reservoir in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, the Company held a completion ceremony on March 20 with Kensaku Morita, the Governor of Chiba Prefecture.

Kyocera TCL Solar is a joint venture of Kyocera and Tokyo Century established in 2012 to promote large-scale solar projects.

The plant was constructed over the surface of the reservoir, which is managed by the waterworks bureau of Chiba Prefecture for its industrial use. With 180,000m2 (over 44 acres) of surface area, 50,904 Kyocera solar modules were installed to generate an estimated 16,170 megawatt hours (MWh) per year ― enough electricity to power approximately 4,970 typical households.

All power generated is sold to TEPCO Energy Partner, Incorporated. The project was originally initiated by the Public Enterprises Agency of Chiba Prefecture seeking companies to help reduce its burden on the environment.

Since its establishment, Kyocera TCL Solar has constructed 61 solar power plants across Japan including the nation’s largest floating solar project, the 13.7MW plant at Yamakura.

The Company has developed seven floating solar power plants using Japan’s fresh-water dams and reservoirs rather than agricultural land, for it is becoming more difficult to secure tracts of land suitable for a utility-scale power plant.

Outline of Yamakura floating solar power plant
Location   Yamakura Dam
(Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, Japan)
Operation Kyocera TCL Solar LLC
Area Approx. 180,000m2
Maximum output Approx. 13.7MW
Solar modules 270-watt Kyocera modules (50,904 modules in total)
Expected annual power generation Approx. 16,170MWh/year
Electricity generated is sold to TEPCO Energy Partner, Incorporated
Start of operation March 5, 2018
Construction started in December 2015
Design & construction KYOCERA Communication Systems Co., Ltd.
Maintenance   KYOCERA Solar Corporation
 
Company overview
Company name   Kyocera TCL Solar LLC
Location Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Shareholders Tokyo Century Corporation (81%)
Kyocera Corporation (19%)
Established August 2012
Business outline   To sell power produced from solar power generation
 

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