World’s Largest Floating Solar Power Plant Announced By Kyocera

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It’s barely been a month since we reported on the government of Kawajima-machi’s (Saitama Prefecture, Japan) plans to develop a 7.5 MW solar power plant on the surface of Umenokifurukori reservoir. And now Kyocera has announced a 13.4 MW floating solar power plant on the Yamakura Dam reservoir in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The company did not release any information on how much this project would cost.

The plant will be developed and operated by Kyocera TCL Solar LLC, a joint venture between Kyocera Corporation and Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation. If the plant sticks to its schedule, this will become the world’s largest floating solar power plant in terms of capacity/output.

Kyocera TCL was selected by Public Enterprises Agency for industrial water services in Chiba Prefecture. The Kyocera group will supply, install, operate and maintain the equipment for the solar plant, whereas Century Tokyo Leasing will provide project financing. The modules will be installed using the French company Ciel et Terre’s patented Hydrelio floating platforms.

Once installed, the plant will spread over a water surface area of 180,000² and deliver an estimated output of 15,635 MWh/year. The electricity generated at the solar plant will be sold to Tokyo Electric Power Co. for an estimated ¥450 million/year ($78.7 million/year).

The JV is also building a 2.9 MW of installations spread over Nishihira Pond and Higashihira Pond in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Kyocera says it has plans to start operation of 30 floating solar power plants across Japan during FY 2015–16.

Japan, on the other hand, has poured over $30 billion to tap solar power in a single year. The country may be in a position to replace China as the top solar installer this year.

Image Credit: Aerial view of the Yamakura Dam site, Kyocera