Kyocera Corporation, Gaia Power, Kyudenko Corporation and Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation announced that the companies have made a joint investment in Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills LLC to construct and operate a 92MW solar power plant.
Project planning began in January 2014, covering a total of approximately 2,000,000m2 (approx. 494 acres), the site will accommodate 340,740 Kyocera solar modules, and is expected to generate roughly 99,230MWh annually — enough electricity to power approximately 30,500 typical households, offsetting roughly 35,730 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Under the agreement, Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills LLC will operate the site, and a joint venture will undertake the design, construction and maintenance of the solar installation. Kyocera will supply its solar modules, and Century Tokyo Leasing will arrange financing. Approximately 35 billion yen (approx. USD290 million) in investment is planned for the project, with a goal to start construction in the second half of FY2016 (October 2015 to March 2016) and begin operations in FY2018 (April 2017 to March 2018).
The land development application for the project was submitted in April 2015, the massive installation will contribute to the local community through job creation and increase of tax revenues in Kanoya City and Osaki Town. The companies are cooperating with Kagoshima Prefecture, Kanoya City and Osaki Town to ensure environmentally friendly construction methods, and remain committed to promoting renewable energy as well as contributing to environmental protection and the creation of a sustainable society.