Kyocera, Gaia Power, Kyudenko and Tokyo Century Announce Groundbreaking of 92MW Solar Power Plant in Japan

Spanning across approximately 494 acres, the plant provides equivalent power for roughly 33,370 households

KYOTO, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kyocera Corporation, K.K. GAIA POWER, Kyudenko Corporation and Tokyo Century Corporation announced today that Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills LLC, a solar power operating company jointly established by the four companies, has launched construction of a 92-megawatt (MW) solar power plant. Located on a site stretching across Kanoya City and Osaki Town in Kagoshima Prefecture, the project will become one of the largest*1 solar installations in the Kyushu region of Japan spanning across approximately 494 acres (2,000,000m2), making it almost the same size as the country Monaco. A ceremony was held on April 27 to commemorate the plants groundbreaking.


Project Overview
Project name Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills Solar Power Plant
Location Kanoya City and Osaki Town in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Output Approx. 92MW
Expected annual power
generation
Approx. 99,230MWh/year
Electricity generated will provide the equivalent power for roughly 33,370 average households*2.
Solar modules
340,740 Kyocera modules (planned)
Total investment Approx. 35 billion yen (approx. USD315 million*3)
Project timeline
April 3, 2017: Start of construction
January 2020: Start of operation (planned)

Project planning began in January 2014, as the local community expressed interest in repurposing land that was designated for a golf course more than 30 years ago but subsequently abandoned. The site plan will accommodate 340,740 Kyocera solar modules and is expected to generate roughly 99,230MWh annually — enough electricity to power approximately 33,370 typical households, offsetting roughly 52,940 tons of CO2 emissions per year*4.

Under the agreement, Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills LLC will operate the business, and a consortium established by Kyudenko and Gaia Power is undertaking the design, construction and maintenance of the solar installation. Kyocera is supplying its high-efficiency solar modules and Tokyo Century is responsible for the finance arrangement. Approximately 35 billion yen (approx. USD315 million) in investment is planned for the project, with a goal to begin operations in January 2020.

The massive installation is expected to contribute to the local community through job creation and increase of tax revenues in Kanoya City and Osaki Town. In addition to obtaining forestland development permission, a year-long environmental impact assessment has been completed for the large-scale project. Furthermore, the plant will feature an environmentally friendly design by minimizing land development. The companies will continually work with Kagoshima Prefecture, Kanoya City, Osaki Town and other members of the community to complete construction, and they remain committed to promoting renewable energy as well as contributing to environmental protection and the creation of a sustainable society.

Company Overview
Company name Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills LLC
Location Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Established May 27, 2014
Shareholders
K.K. GAIA POWER: 72.7%
Kyocera Corporation: 9.1%
Kyudenko Corporation: 9.1%
Tokyo Century Corporation: 9.1%

Role of Participating Companies
Business operation Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills LLC
Design, construction and
maintenance
Consortium established by Kyudenko Corporation and K.K. GAIA POWER
Supply of solar modules Kyocera Corporation
Finance arrangement Tokyo Century Corporation

*1 Among operating solar power plants. Based on research by the four companies (as of April 1, 2017)
*2 Based on average annual use of 2,973.6kWh per household. Source: Japan Atomic Energy Relations Organization (Graphical Flip-chart of Nuclear & Energy Related Topics 2016)
*3 For the readers convenience; based on an exchange rate of JPY111 = USD1 (as of April 26, 2017).
*4 Based on calculations derived from standards created by JPEA in 2016

About KYOCERA

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2016, the companys consolidated net sales totaled 1.48 trillion yen (approx. USD13.1 billion). Kyocera appears on the "Top 100 Global Innovators" list by Clarivate Analytics and is ranked #531 on Forbes magazines 2016 "Global 2000" list of the worlds largest publicly traded companies.

Featured Product

Introducing RockIt Smart Slide

Introducing RockIt Smart Slide

Introducing RockIt Smart Slide - the ultimate solution for fast and easy installation of the rail-less RockIt racking system on composition shingle roofs. Smart Slide conforms to UL 441 and TAS 100 (A)-95 for wind and wind-driven rain, providing a super-strong watertight seal that is achieved through compression, in most cases without the need for additional sealant. The waterproofing sealant is embedded deep into the granules of the shingle, thanks to the integrated flexible foam layer that provides cushioning. This ensures a secure fit that conforms to any architectural-style shingle. With UltraGrip Technology™, you can rely on a secure installation, as it absorbs the movement created by thermal expansion and contraction. The pre-installed sealing pads are compatible with all composition shingle roofs, making it the ideal choice, even in ambient temperatures as low as 5 degrees.