String of Protests Against Megasolar Projects in Nagano Prefecture

Citizens in Ueda city as well as Ina city, both in Nagano prefecture, are protesting against megasolar projects.

The group in Ueda opposes deforestation of a land of 20 hectares, where a 15 MW solar project is planned.

In Ina city, citizens are against the project because it might destroy the scenery of the rural settings.

Nikkei: Kanto and Koshin'etsu aras: 2013/11/12 2:00
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNZO62417620R11C13A1L31000/

Suzuki to Embark on Solar Business starting from a 18 MW Station in Shizuoka

The car manufacturer Suzuki is going to embark on solar business, starting from construction of a 18 MW station in Makinohara city of Shizuoka prefecture.

The company will conclude a contract with Chubu Electric Power about its electricity sales and will start the construction of the station in the spring of 2014.

Yomiuri: 2013/11/17 10:39
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/atmoney/news/20131117-OYT1T00199.htm

Cadmium-polluted Land to Turn to 6 MW Solar Station in Toyama

A 6 MW solar station, which is of the largest scale in Hokuriku area, will be built in Toyama city of Toyama prefecture.

The land was polluted by wastes from Kamioka mine around from 1910 to 1970 and caused so-called "Itai Itai Byou" ("It hurts, it hurts" disease).
Later, the land was recovered with the soil being removed.

In 2012, Toyama prefecture invited business applications to utilize its land of 20.4 hectares.
A joint of Sparks Green Energy, Toshiba, and Kunagayagumi succeeded in the competition and the companies made the SPC "SGET Toyama Megasolar."

The investment will be 2.8 billion JPY.

SmartJapan: 2013/10/30 15:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1310/30/news033.html

The Largest 70 MW Solar Started Operation in Kagoshima

A 70 MW solar station, the largest scale in Japan at the moment, started operation in Kagoshima city, Kagoshima.

The station will be operated by a company funded by Kyocera, IHI, and others.
The total investment was 27 billion JPY.

Marubeni is going to open 82 MW solar in the coming spring in Oita city.

Asahi Shimbun: 2013/11/2 15:22
http://www.asahi.com/articles/SEB201311010054.html

Fukushima Prefecture to Collect Investment from Citizens

Fukushima prefecture is going to build a 1.2 MW solar facility at Fukushima airport.
It will install 30 different kinds of solar panels in the 2-hectare area.

The government will collect investment for the project from citizens as well as from local companies.
And the sales of electricity will be 40 million JPY annually.

Sankei Biz: 2013/11/4 07:00
http://www.sankeibiz.jp/compliance/news/131104/cpd1311040701007-n1.htm

Sheeps Remove Weeds in Nikke's 16.8 MW Solar in Inami, Hyogo

The spin wool firm Nikke (Nippon Keori) has put three sheeps to pasture at its 16.8 MW solar station in Inami town of Hyogo prefecure.

Because of a land regulation by the city, the company couldn't level the land for the solar facility.

SmartJapan: 2013/10/10 07:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1310/10/news027.html

NEDO Started Solar & EV Project in Lyon, France

NEDO started a commercial service of 30 EV (electric vehicle) in Lyon, France.
The project uses 15 i-MiEVs of Mitsubishi Motors and 15 PSA Puegeot Citroens.

Also it will demonstrate the so-called "CHAdeMO" quick charging battery system, which Japan is proposing as an international standard of charging system.

The energy management system of the project was developed by Toshiba.

SmartJapan: 2013/10/18 07:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1310/18/news032.html

Saga Prefecture to Invite Enterprise for Solar Project along Prefectural Road

Saga prefecture announced on 15th that it would invite entrepreneurs for its solar project alongside of a prefecturel road.

The government will lease for free a south-facing land of the road, which stretches 2 kilometers from around the Kubota Interchange. The land has 10,000 square meters. And it is estimated that a solar station of 1 MW scale can be built on the area.

Tech-On: 2013/10/19 23:58
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/NEWS/20131020/310000/

Solar Panel for Okinawan Climate by Kingdom Solar Japan

Kingdom Solar Japan in Naha city of Okinawa prefecture recently developed a solar panel specialized for the humid and high temperature climate of the island.

The photovoltaic panel made in China utilizes special back sheet and thicker aluminium cover and is also strong against typhoon and salt damage.

Okinawa Times: 2013/10/19 10:00
http://article.okinawatimes.co.jp/article/2013-10-19_55502
Kingdom Solar Japan
http://www.kdm-j.jp/

Akita City Started Operation of 1.5 MW Solar

Akita city government started operation of a 1.5 MW solar in the same city of Akita prefecture.

The station is made in an old site of final disposal plant of 4.6 hectares.

To prevent damage and power decline from snow fall, the panels has an angle of 30 degrees and the stand is 1.5 meter high.

Kahoku Shimpou: 2013/10/02
http://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2013/10/20131002t42005.htm

JGC to build 31 MW Solar in Kamogawa, Chiba

The oil engineering firm JGC Corporation (Nikki) is going to construct a 31 MW in Kamogawa city of Chiba prefecture.

The company takes part in the EPC as a whole.

The investment will be 10 billion JPY. The operation will start in January 2015.

Tech-On 2013/10/02 18:58
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/NEWS/20131002/306880/

Kita Gas Genex Started Operation of 1.2 MW Solar in Ishikari, Hokkaido

Kita Gas Genex in Sapporo, a 100% subsidiary of Hokkaido Gas, started the operation of its 1.2 MW solar station in Ishikari city, Hokkaido prefecture.

Considering snow fall in winter, the photovoltaic panels are installed at least 2 meters high from the ground. And the whole system is made to be cold-resistant. Stands to be salt-resistant.

The investment was 400 million JPY.

Kita Gas Genex (in English)
http://www.kg-genex.co.jp/kgg-multi/english/

SMA Japan to Release 10kW PCS for Middle-Sized Solar

SMA Japan, a subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology of Germany, will release 10 kW PCS in January 2014.

The PCS is good for middle-sized solar station from 10 to 50 kW, which is advantageous in current FiT scheme in Japan and is now booming.

The product is a three-phase three-wire system, and its maximum conversion efficiency is 97.8%.

Smar Japan: 2013/10/02 14:20
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1310/02/news072.html

Daiwa House to Build 2.7 MW Solar in Kirishima, Kagoshima

Daiwa House is going to construct a 2.65 MW solar station in Kirishima city of Kagoshima prefecture.
The station will be made in an idle land of the company's old factory.

The investment will be 700 million JPY.
The station will start operation in February 2014.

Nikkei 2013/10/4 23:00
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFK0402V_U3A001C1000000/

Eiwa Denryoku to Build 16.7MW Solar in Asakawa, Fukushima

Eiwa Denryoku in Tokyo, a subsidiary of Giga Solar Materials of Taiwan, is going to build a megasolar station in Asakawa town of Fukushima prefecture.

The station will be made in old golf courses, whose company went bankruptcy due to a sharp fall of customers from the nuclear disaster in Fukushima.

According to the news story, the project will install 67,000 panels of 250 W.
If so, the total output capacity amounts to about 16.7 MW.

Fukushima Minpo : 2013/10/05
http://www.minpo.jp/news/detail/2013100511327

Mitsubishi UFJ to Finance 39 Billion JPY to Eurus's Megasolar in Aomori

Mitsubishi UFJ Bank settled that it would finance 39.3 billion JPY to Eurus Energy Holding's megasolar project in Aomori prefecture.

On the other hand, Mitsui Sumitomo Bank is going to finance 48 billion to solar projects to be installed on agricultural facilities.

Nikkei: 2013/9/29 23:45
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNZO60372060Z20C13A9NN7000/

Eurus Energy Holdings to Take 44% Interestes of 42MW Wind Station in Uruguay

Eurus Energy Holdings, a joint company by Toyota Tsusho and Tokyo Electric Power, bought 44% share of interests of a 42 MW wind station (Minas Wind Farm), which is being constructed in Uruguay by French Akuo Energy.

The investment for the aquisition was not opened.

The wind farm will be completed in March 2014.

Bloomberg 2013/09/20 10:09
http://www.bloomberg.co.jp/news/123-MTEE056JIJVQ01.html
Akuo Energy: Press Release
http://www.akuoenergy.com/fileadmin/media/pdf/news-en/Communiqu%C3%A9_Eurus_GB_Mise_en_page_1.pdf

Toshiba to Embark on Wind Power Generation

Toshiba is going to embark on wind power generation, adding to its wind turbine manufacturing since 2012.

The company will succeed the operation of two existing wind stations in Kyushu, by wholly owning Sigma Power Janex, which was divided from Janex.
Janex had been operating the two wind stations.

Toshiba aims eventually to expand the project to seven wind stations.

SmartJapan: 2013/09/26 07:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1309/26/news035.html

1.75MW Solar Completed in Takigawa, Hokkaido

The trading company of electric components Hakuto in Tokyo completed its 1.75 MW solar in Takigawa city of Hokkaido prefecture.

The total investment was 600 million JPY.

The city leased a land of 3.9 hectares for the project with a 20-year contract.
It aims to take an annual revenue of 100 million JPY.

Hokkaido Shimbun: 2013/09/21 16:00
http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/chiiki/493172.html
Hakuto (in English)
http://www.hakuto.co.jp/english/

SB Energy and Mitsui to Build 111 MW Solar in Abira, Hokkaido

SB Energy and Mitsui announced on 24th that they would build a 111 MW solar in Abira town of Hokkaido prefecture.

They are going to start the construction in October.
The operation start will be in the winter of 2015.

All the electricity will be bought by Hokkaido Electric Power.

According to SB Energy, the station will be the biggest solar station as a single facility.

Sankei: 2013/9/24 19:28
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/news/130924/biz13092419280033-n1.htm
Sankei Biz: 2013/9/25 07:30
http://www.sankeibiz.jp/business/news/130925/bsc1309250731013-n1.htm

1.8MW Solar Project in Mobara, Chiba

Six private companies in Mobara city, Chiba prefecture, are going to found the special purpose company "Mobara Solar Utopia" and to embark on megasolar business.

The six companies are: Toyo Chemical, Kanto Natural Gas Development, Chiba Sekiyu, Chiba Bank, Boso Credit Union and another (*not named in the article).

The joint company takes a lease of a land of 38 thousand square meters from the city government.
And the output capacity of the station will be 1,750 kW.

Yomiuri: Area Chiba 2013/09/19
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/chiba/news/20130918-OYT8T01468.htm

Kochi Create Group to Construct 1.2 MW Solar in Tosa, Kochi

Kochi Create Group, which consists of four companies including Yondenko, received an order of constructing a 1.2MW solar in Tosa town of Kochi prefeture. The project is run by the town and the prefecture.

The operation start will be February 2015. And the annual generation will be 1,280 kWh.

Denki Shimbun 2013/09/18
http://www.shimbun.denki.or.jp/news/construction/20130918_01.html

Kyudenko Completed 500 kW Solar in Imari, Saga

Kyudenko completed its 500 kW solar station at an old elementary school in Imari city of Saga prefecture.
This is the second power station for the company in the prefecture.

2,016 photovoltaic panels will generate 450 thousand kWh per year.
The investment was 150 million JPY.

Nishinippon Shimbun: 2013/09/18 01:47
http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/saga/article/40248
Kyudenko Press Relaese (in Japanese)
http://www.kyudenko.co.jp/press/docs/130321.pdf

IHI to Embark on Overseas Renewable Energy: Wind in US and others

The heavy industry firm IHI is embarking on renewable energy business in overseas countries.

Starting from operation trust of eight facilities of biomass and wind power in the US, the company plans to expand its overseas business eventually to Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

IHI has produced and sold many power generators, but this is the first time for the company to be entrusted with the operation of power stations.

Nikkei 2013/9/18 2:00
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD130V7_X10C13A9MM8000/

MOE to Implement Tidal Wave Power by 2018

Ministry of the Environment (MOE) is going to advance tidal wave power generation, aiming at the implementation by the fiscal year 2018.

It has recently settled a future plan to develop 1 MW class commercial-level tidal turbine.
The investment will amount to 3 billion JPY by 2018.

Nikkei 2013/9/13 13:40
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASGG13002_T10C13A9MM0000/

Strawberry Cultivation by Underground Heat Pump in Niigata

The Prefectural Horticulture Center in Niigata recently started a field test of strawberry cultivation utilizing underground heat pump.

The price of strawberry tends to hike in December because the fruit is so popular for topping Christmas cakes.
The project aims at increasing the shipping amount of strawberry of the area in the same season.

The field test will last for two years.

Mainichi: Area Niigata: 2013/09/16
http://mainichi.jp/area/niigata/news/20130916ddlk15040028000c.html

Sekisui Chemical Hokkaido to Build Greenhouse with Underground Heat Pump in Mongolia

Sekisui Chemical Hokkaido is going to build greenhouses in Mongolia as a part of its agricultural assistance to the country.

The greenhouses will be equipped with Sekisui's underground heat pump system with thermal exchange tubes of two-meter depth.

Nikkei: 2013/9/4 12:00
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFC0300R_T00C13A9L41000/

Marutsu Dempa in Fukui to Introduce Woody Biomass to "Onsen Ryokans"

The electric transmitter manufacturer Marutsu Dempa in Fukui city, Fukui, is going to introduce woody biomass combustion boilers to ryokan hotels in onsen hot spring areas such as Awara Onsen.

The project has been approved by Forestry Agency and Ministry of the Environment as one of "Promoted enterprises to develop model areas utilizing woody biomass energy," by which the project cost of 20 million JPY will be financed.

Water heaters at several onsen hotels will be replaced to small woody boilers of 300 kW to 500 kW scale.

The project is considering importing boilers from Austria, Germany, and other biomass-advanced countries.

Fukui Shimbun: 2013/09/14 9:00
http://www.fukuishimbun.co.jp/localnews/economics/45539.html
Marutsu Dempa (in English)
http://www.marutsu-group.jp/en/

Less Than 10% of Approved Megasolars Have Started Operation in Chugoku Area

It turned out that only 22 megasolar project out of 241 in Chugoku area which had been approved by the national government had been started operation by the end of May this year.

METI sees that it is because of the today's general delay in material procurement and also that some project entities are waiting for price decline of solar facilities once their plans were successfully approved under the FiT scheme at the price of 42 JPY per kWh.

The ministry decided to investigate the current situation throughout Japan.

Chugoku Shimbun: 2013/09/16
http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Tn201309160025.html

Idera Capital Leased Roofs of Distribution Buildings for Keiyo Plant Solar Project

The real estate firm Idera Capital in Tokyo announced on 17th that it had concluded a lease contract with Keiyo Plant Engineering about roofs of distribution buildings which Idera is operating.

Keiyo is going to build two solar stations of 1.6 MW in total on the buildings and to sell the electricity to be generated utilizing the FiT.

LNEWS: 2013/09/17
http://lnews.jp/2013/09/f091708.html

Hitachi Appliance's New Solar Panel of 18.6% Efficiency

Hitachi Appliance started selling a new product of 210 W monocrystal photovoltaic panel as well as its half-sized panel of 105 W.

The conversion efficiency of the 210 W panel is 18.6 percent.
And the price is about 130 thousand JPY.

Kankyo Business 2013/09/17
http://www.kankyo-business.jp/news/005754.php

Nissan's New EV "e-NV200" is at Final Phase of Development

Nissan announced recently that it was advancing the new electric vehicle "e-NV200" and that the development of this van-type car was at the final phase.

For the company, the car will be the second EV to be sold globally after LEAF.

Nissan Motor Company: Press Release (in Japanese) 2013/09/08
http://www.nissan-global.com/JP/NEWS/2013/_STORY/130908-01-j.html

Fieldtest of 30 Kinds of Solar Panels at Fukushima Airport

Fukushima prefecture is going to operate a 1.5 MW solar station at Fukushima airport from March 2014.

30 different kinds of solar panels will be tested on their performance.

The total investment will amount to 500 million JPY.
The prefecture finances 45 million, and it will also collect investment from private sectors.

Asahi: Area Fukushima: 2013/09/13
http://www.asahi.com/area/fukushima/articles/MTW1309130700004.html

"Skylight Tube" by Inosho: Presentation on 24th in Kusatsu, Shiga

An explanatory meeting of "Skylight Tube" will be held at the company Inosho in Kusatsu city of Shiga prefecture on 24th.

The mechanism of the illumination system is as follows (website in Japanese):
http://www.skylighttube.co.jp/residential/mechanism/

Kentsu Shimbun: 2013/09/13
http://www.kentsu.co.jp/webnews/html_top/130913590010.html

Rising Next to Completed 2.5 MW Solar in Omuta, Fukuoka

The real estate firm Rising Next in Omuta city of Fukuoka prefecture has completed the construction of its 2,545 kW solar staiton in the same city in Fukuoka prefecture on 14th.

All the electricity will be sold to Kyushu Electric Power for 20 years.

Nishinihon Shimbun: 2013/09/15 00:23
http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/f_chikugo/article/39663

The specific-purpose car manufacturer Kyokuto Kaihatsu Kogyo in Hyogo prefecture is going to start the operation of its 1.5 MW solar in Hachinohe city of Aomori on 17th.

The station is located in the Hachinohe Kita Inter Industrial Park.

Daily Tohoku 2013/09/14 08:40
http://cgi.daily-tohoku.co.jp/cgi-bin/news/2013/09/14/new1309140802.htm

Kyocera TCL's 1.5 MW Solar in Operation in Usa, Oita]

Kyocera TCL Solar Limited Liability Company started the operation of its 1.5 MW solar in Usa city of Oita prefecture.

This is the third megasolar in the city, and all the generated electricity will be sold to Kyusyu Electric Power.

An observatory with an elevation of three meters will be installed for education purpose.

Mainichi: Area Oita: 2013/09/15
http://mainichi.jp/area/oita/news/20130915ddlk44020340000c.html

Daiwa House to Build 1.98 MW Solar in Gojyo, Nara

Daiwa House is going to install a 1.98 MW solar in its idle land of 36 thousand square meters in Gojyo city of Nara prefecture.

The construction will start in September and will end in March 2014.
All the generated electricity will be sold to Kansai Electric Power.

And the total investment will be 600 million JPY.

Sankei: 2013/9/13 18:45
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/news/130913/biz13091318470026-n1.htm

1.9 MW Solar Started Operation in Mihara, Hiroshima

A 1.9 MW solar station started operation in Mihara city of Hiroshima prefecture.

A joint company financed by Sharp in Osaka and Fuyo General Lease in Tokyo will operate the station.

7,920 photovoltaic panels were installed in the land of 4.2 hectares which the city leases for 20 years.

All the electricity will be sold to Chugoku Electric Power.

Chugoku Shimbun: 2013/09/15
http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Tn201309150073.html

Solar on Agricultural Reservoir: Project in Kasai, Hyogo

Kasai city of Hyogo prefecture announced on 12th that it would embark on solar power generation on agricultural pond from the fiscal year 2014.

The current plan is to install 4,000 panels on a pond of 1.2 hectares.

There are about 43 thousand reservoirs in Hyogo prefecture.

Of them one thousand are located in the city.

Yomiuri: 2013/09/13
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/hyogo/news/20130912-OYT8T01560.htm

Overseas Study Fund by School Solar in Nakatsugawa, Gifu

The alumni association of Nakatsu Highschool installed solar panels in a municipally owned land in Nakatsugawa city of Gifu prefecture.

The output capacity of the facility has not been publicized.
The annual generation is 49 thousand kWh, which is estimated to make a revenue of two million JPY a year by the Feed-in-Tariff.

The association has managed the fund depending on donations from the alumni members.

Chunichi Shimbun: 2013/09/14
http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/gifu/20130914/CK2013091402000006.html

Saitama City to Introduce Solar and Battery to 152 Schools

Saitama city is going to install solar panels with secondary battery at 152 municipal schools in the city.

The output capacity will be 2.5 MW in total.

The generated electricity will be used for in-school consumption.
In an emergency case, the schools function as local shelters with independent power source.
A surplus of the electricity will be sold to Tokyo Electric Power.

A joint business unit of Sony Business Solution and other companies made a successful bid for the project.
The investment is about 2.9 billion JPY.

SmartJapan: 2013/09/13 11:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1309/13/news026.html

"Solar Jyoshi" Who Annulled Contract with Tokyo Electric Power

A woman is writing on her life without grid electricity on her blog "Solar Jyoshi (Girl or Woman)." And she is getting into the news in Japan.

Chikako Fujii, artist of textile dyeing in Kunitachi city, annulled her contract with Tokyo Electric Power in September 2012.
That made her "off-grid" in the west suburb of Tokyo Metropolitan.

It was almost a year before this, in August 2011, that Fujii had started power generation by herself with a small solar panel attached to the handrail of her studio.

She had experienced the scheduled power outage caused by the Earthquake and the nuclear disaster in Fukushima. She had just wanted a solar panel in case of an emergency.

Now Fujii utilizes a steam iron with charcoal, a charge-by-hand radio, a solar cooker, solar-powered lights, as well as conventional lanterns.

In June she introduced a generator by human power, which makes electricity of 60 W per hour.
It enabled her to use a washing machine again.

She still uses city gas, but it is only for bathing and heating in winter.
According to the solar woman, the average of her electricity consumption is 300 Wh per day.

alterna: 2013/9/6 11:57
http://www.alterna.co.jp/11619

Tamagawa Holdings to Build 4.0 MW Solar in Kyotango, Kyoto

Tamagawa Holdings is going to build its sixth megasolar station in Kyotango city of Kyoto prefecture.

The D/C output capacity of the station will be 4.0 MW (A/C 3.35 MW).

The company plans to split the station into two parts of less than 2.0 MW each because an over-2MW station needs to install facilities for extra high voltage and eventually increase the investment.

A subsidiary of the company will take a 21-year lease of a land of 47 thousand square meters, which is owned by the Tango Textile Industry Association.

The investment will be 1.2 billion JPY.
The annual revenue is estimated to be 170 million JPY.

SmartJapan: 2013/09/10 07:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1309/10/news030.html
Tamagawa Holdings (in English)
http://www.tmex.co.jp/english/index.html

Niigata Smart Community Enterprise to Build Three Megasolars in Joetsu Area

Niigata Smart Community Enterprise is going to build three megasolars in Joetsu and Myoko cities of Niigata prefecture.

The prefectural government of Niigata will partially finance the projects.

In Joetsu city, two solar facilities of 2 MW and 1.2 MW scale are under consideration.
As for in Myoko city, a 1.0 MW solar will be installed.

Joetsu Town Journal: 2013/09/12
http://www.joetsutj.com/archives/52049886.html

Tohoku Solar Power's 1.4MW Solar Started Operation in Kuji, Iwate

Tohoku Solar Power, a subsidiary of Tohoku Electric Power, started the operation of its 1.4 MW solar in Kuji city of Iwate prefecture. The generated electricity will be sold to the mother company.

9,240 panels were installed in an area of 3.5 hectares.

Tohoku Solar Power is also advancing its megasolar projects in Aomori and Miyagi prefectures.

Iwate Nippou: 2013/09/12
http://www.iwate-np.co.jp/cgi-bin/topnews.cgi?20130912_11
Denki Shimbun: 2013/09/13
http://www.shimbun.denki.or.jp/news/energy/20130913_03.html

Hitachi Zosen Started Operation of 1.5 MW Solar in In'noshima Island, Hiroshima

The shipbuilder Hitachi Zosen started the operation of its 1.5 MW solar station in In'noshima island in Onomichi city of Hiroshima prefecture.

It has also started selling the generated electricity to Chugoku Electric Power.

10 thousand photovoltaic panels were installed in an idle land of the company's old factory.
The investment was about 460 million JPY.

Another megasolar project in the same island which is conducted by Naikai Zosen, an affiliated company of Hitachi Zosen, will start the construction of 1.2 MW station this month and will complete it at the end of this year.

Response: 2013/9/12 09:30
http://response.jp/article/2013/09/12/206204.html
SmartJapan: 2013/09/12 07:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1309/12/news029.html

JR Kaihin-Makuhari Station to be Reborn as "Eco-Station"

JR East Chiba Branch is going to open on 13th renovated Kaihin-Makuhari station on the Keiyo line as well as a new commercial facility adjacent to the station.

The station has wind turbines and solar panels. Also, so-called "solar ray ducts" and air conditioning system utilizing underground heat pump were installed. JR East intends to reduce CO2 emission by 20 percent as compared to the old station before renovation.

This is the third example of the company's project "Eco Sute," or Ecological Station, after Yotsuya station on the Yamanote line and Hiraizumi station on the Tohoku Honsen line.

ChibaTopi: 2013/09/12 11:12
http://www.chibanippo.co.jp/c/news/economics/155873

Hiroshima City to Lease Roofs of Five Facilities for Solar

Hiroshima city is going to lease the roofs of five municipal facilities for solar power generation by private companies in the city.

Each facility has a space enough for 10 kW solar panels.
The lease period is 20 years.

Potential applicants will have to attend the briefing by the city to be held between September 27th and October 1st. Also, they have to have past experiences in solar generation of over 10 kW.

Chugoku Shimbun: 2013/09/13
http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Tn201309130027.html

NARO and Hokuriku Seiki Developed Open-type Microhydro

National Aguriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) announced on 10th that it had developed an open-type microhydro power generator in cooperation with Hokuriku Seiki in Uozu city of Toyama prefecture.

By adjusting the covers attached to the water wheel, the generator can make water elevation as high as possible between the upstream and the downstream.

If the width of a channel is 0.9 meters and its slope one five hundredth, it can generate 465 W electricity at maximum.

According to NARO, the new product will reduce generating cost by 25 to 30 percent as compared with engine generator.

Nikkan Kogyo: 2013/09/11
http://www.nikkan.co.jp/news/nkx0520130911caae.html
NARO (in English)
http://www.naro.affrc.go.jp/english/index.html
Hokuriku Seiki (in Japanese)
http://www.s-hokuriku.com/

Sendai City to Build 199 kW Mini-hydro at Dam Facility

Sendai city of Miyagi prefecture is going to install a 199kW mini-hydro station at Kamafusa Dam.

The station utilizes the elevation difference of 18.6 meters between the dam and its grit chamber facility.

The investment will be 260 million JPY.

Toshiba was recently settled as the business conductor. 

All the generated electricity is to be sold to Tohoku Electric Power for 20 years.
It is estimated that the city will earn 2.7 million JPY per year for the land lease.

Kahoku Shimpo 2013/09/11
http://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2013/09/20130911t12028.htm

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding to Embark on Biomas Power Plant in Europe

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding is going to embark on biomas power generation in Europe, utilizing building scrap wood, livestock manure, etc.

The total investment will be 2.4 billion JPY.

The company's subsidiary in Denmark will found a joint company with a pention fund in the country to build a 40 MW power station in Lincolnshire county of England.

Nikkei: 2013/9/7 2:00
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD3100P_W3A900C1MM8000/

Kasumigaura City to Reduce Solar Property Tax by Half

Kasumigaura city of Ibaraki prefecture is going to submit a regulation proposal to the city council on reducing property tax of solar facilities by half.

This is to promote construction of solar facilities in the city.

The target facilities are those of output capacity of more than 10 kW which have already concluded contract with power company about selling the generated electricity.

Residential solar facilities and those on leased roofs are to be excluded.

Ibaraki Shimbun: 2013/09/06
http://ibarakinews.jp/news/news.php?f_jun=13783900270125

Highschool Solar for Scholarship Fund in Matsuzaka, Mie

Mie Highschool in Matsuzaka city of Mie prefecture completed the installation of 160 solar panels on its roof. The output capacity is 30.4 kW.

The school will start selling the electricity on 11th, and the revenue of around 1.2 million JPY per year is going to finance the scholarships to be organized from next school year.

The alumni association of Mie Highschool and Junior High funded 1,300 JPY for the project in commemoration of the schools' 50th anniversary.

Asahi 2013/9/8 0:36
http://www.asahi.com/edu/articles/NGY201309070024.html

Super Hotel Started Operation of 2.0 MW Solar in Iga, Mie

The hotel chain Super Hotel completed the construction and started the operation of its 2.0 MW solar station in Iga city of Mie prefecture.

The project was approved by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy as one of 20 projects of "Model Enterprises for Community Revitalization by Renewable Energy" in the fiscal year 2012.
And research expenses to build the station were financed by the agency.

DreamNews 2013/09/09 10:00
http://www.dreamnews.jp/press/0000080423/
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy "Model Enterprises for Community Revitalization by Renewable Energy"
http://www.mri.co.jp/NEWS/press/2012/nr20121003_h24ne3.pdf

METI to Redefine Specified Electricity Supply by the End of 2013

Denki Shimbun reported that METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) would admit the so-called "specified supply" of electricity utilizing secondary battery and fuel cell.

By redefining the judgement rules, the minstry will allow suppliers to sell electricity from those appliances.

Even if a business entity doesn't have a power source by itself, it will be able to sell electricity by concluding a contract with other supplier(s).

Suppliers have criticized the current criteria, saying they are a bit ambiguous on this point.

The Denki Shimbun: 2013/09/09
http://www.shimbun.denki.or.jp/news/main/20130909_01.html

Orix and Kyudenko to Build 11.72 MW Solar in Omuta, Fukuoka

K Clean Energy, a special purpose company founded by Orix and Kyudenko, is going to build a 11.72 MW solar in Omuta city of Fukuoka prefecture.

The two companies recently concluded a lease contract with Nippon Coke & Engineering over Nippon Coke's land of over 170 thousand square meters. The lease period is 20 years.

They aim at the operation start in January 2015.
All the generated electricity will be sold to Kyusyu Electric Power at 42 JPY per kWh.

SmartJapan: 2013/09/09 7:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1309/09/news024.html

Seiko's new Solar Watch with GPS "ASTRON"

The news website "Searchina" reported that Seiko's new Solar Watch with GPS sensor was collecting popularity world wide.

The report wrote that both Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Kishida love this GPS solar watch.

To me personally, the price is a big obstacle... :)

Searchina: 2013/09/05 13:01
http://news.searchina.ne.jp/disp.cgi?y=2013&d=0905&f=business_0905_050.shtml
Seiko: Global Site:
http://www.seikowatches.com/

2.0 MW Solar Started Operation in Sennan, Osaka

A joint company by NTT Finance and Nihon Comsys started the operation of a 1,990 kW solar in the sewage treatment facility "Nanbu Mizu Mirai Center" in Sennan city, Osaka prefecture.

The project was entrusted by the prefectural government.

The electricity to be generated by 7,920 solar panels of the station will be sold to Kansai Electric Power.

The annual sale is estimated to be about 90 million JPY.

After deducting the annual lease payment of 62.4 million JPY to the joint company as well as electricity charge for maintenance of 1.5 million JPY to the power company, Osaka prefecture will take a revenue of 26 million JPY per year.

Mainichi: Area Osaka: 2013/09/05
http://mainichi.jp/area/osaka/news/20130905ddlk27020353000c.html
NTT finance: Press Release (in Japanese)
http://www.ntt-finance.co.jp/news/pdf/130902.pdf

Benart Completed 4.6 MW Solar in Jyoyo, Kyoto

Benart in Kyoto city, which was founded by liquid concrete manufacturers, completed the construction of a 4.6 MW solar in Jyoyo city, Kyoto prefecture.

19,040 panels were installed in an abandoned site of mountain gravel collection.

All the electricity will be sold to Kansai Electric Power, so that the total investment of 1.2 billion JPY will be paid back in less than 10 years.

The utilization of old sites of pit gravel collection has been a challenge to the city for a long time.

Yomiuri: Area Kyoto 2013/09/05
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/kyoto/news/20130904-OYT8T01466.htm
Benart (in Japanese)
http://benart.co.jp/solar/index.html

1.3 MW Solar Started Operation in Eniwa, Hokkaido

ITK Solar Hokkaido in Sapporo city completed the construction and started the operation of a 1.31 MW solar in Eniwa city, Hokkaido.

5,460 panels were installed on an old golf course of about 30 thousand square meters.

All the generated electricity will be sold to Hokkaido Electric Power.

The station is the first of four being planned by the company.
The total investment of the four stations which produce 6.3 kWh per year will be 1.5 billion JPY.

Web Minpou: 2013/09/05
http://www.tomamin.co.jp/2013094458

Shikaoi Town in Hokkaido to Advance Heat Utilization

Shikaoi town of Hokkaido prefecture, where its biogas plant from livestock manure has been operating since 2008, is going to advance utilization of heat from the plant.

The town will use the exhausted heat for greenhouses of mango as well as for storehouses of sweet potato.

As for mango cultivation, the town intends to fully utilize stored snow to make chilly air for growing the fruit in summer and shipping it in winter.

The Japan Agricultural News: 2013/09/02
http://www.agrinews.co.jp/modules/pico/index.php?content_id=23142
Shikaoi Town: Biogas Plant (in Japanese)
http://www.town.shikaoi.lg.jp/machizukuri/seisaku-keikaku/kakusyu-sengen/kankyoubikasengen/kankyouhozencenter/biogasplant

Honda's New "FIT Hybrid" Boasts of 36.4 km/l Fuel Efficiency

Honda released on 5th its new product of FIT Hybrid which boasts of fuel efficiency of 36.4 km/liter.

The fuel efficiency of this second-generation hybrid car is beyond that of Toyota's recent most-selling "AQUA" (35.4 km/liter)

The price of the car starts from 1,635 thousand JPY.

The company also presented the third generation of FIT (non-hybrid model) at the same press conference.

Car Watch: 2013/9/5 11:30
http://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/photo/20130905_613905.html

Tottori Prefecture Started Operation of Microhydro at Kashou Dam

Tottori prefectural government held a ceremony for operation start of its microhydro station at Kashu dam in Nanbu town.

The microhydro utilizes discharge water from the dam completed in 1989.

The output capacity of the turbine is 260 kW, and the annual generation is estimated to be 1.4 million kWh.
The revenue from electricity sale to be 40 million JPY per year.

And the investment was 320 million JPY.

Nihonkai Shimbun: 2013/09/04
http://www.nnn.co.jp/news/130904/20130904006.html

Optex's Three Types of Security Sensors for Solar Station

The sensor manufacturer Optex in Otsu city, Shiga prefecture, is going to enhance sales of outdoor sensor appliances for megasolar power station.

The company is selling three types of security sensors: 1) infrared type, 2) optical fiber type, and 3) laser beam type.

The first is able to draw a cordon line of 200 meters at maximum. The second can detect those who are to trespass the fence. The third recognizes human movement in the set area.

Kyoto Shimbun: 2013/09/04 09:10
http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/economy/article/20130904000018

Citizens' Operation of 360 kW Solar at Old School in Misato, Miyazaki

An old school abandoned two years ago will be reborn as a solar station in Misato town of Miyazaki prefecture.

A 360 kW solar facility will be installed by the individual power producer Tomoe Kikaku in Tokyo.

The generated electricity will be used in municipal facilities. And local residents are going to conduct the operation and the maintenance themselves.

According to the municipality, it must be a rare example that local citizens take part in maintenance of solar station.

The station will start operation by the end of 2013.

Nishihinon Shimbun: 2013/09/04 21:29
http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/miyazaki/article/37564

Miho Town of Ibaraki to Build and Operate 2.0 MW Solar

Miho town of Ibaraki prefecture announced on 4th that it would build and operate a 2.0 MW solar power station at a demolished hospital.

It is settled that the land of 3.6 hectares, which had been abandoned and returned to nationally-owned since 1997, could be sold to the town.

The town aims to start the operation of the solar station in the summer of 2014.

Ibaraki Shimbun: 2013/09/05
http://ibarakinews.jp/news/news.php?f_jun=13783033326921

Sharp's Seventh Megasolar Started Operation in Mihara, Hiroshima

Sharp started the operation of a 1.9 MW solar station in Mihara city of Hiroshima prefecture on August 30th.

The electricity will be sold to Chugoku Electric Power at 40 JPY per kWh for 20 years.

The station is what Crystal Clear Solar, a joint company of Sharp and Fuyo General Lease, had committed Sharp to the construction and the operation.

For the company this is the seventh solar station in Japan.
The output capacity of all the stations became 16.8 MW.

SmartJapan: 2013/09/02 09:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1309/02/news030.html

Solar Frontier's CIS Thin-Film Showed Good Quality in Saudi Arabia

Solar Frontier, a subsidiary of Showa Shell Sekiyu, recently published the results of electricity generation of its 10.5 MW solar station in Dhahran city of Saudi Arabia.

CIS thin-film solar panels of the station are proving their good quality in a harsh desert circumstance so to generate 8,498 MWh in 6 months.

Backed up by the result data, the company intends to increase sales of its CIS module in the country.

Nikkei BP: 2013/08/29
http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/emf/20130829/252763/

Solar to Stop Depopulation: Project Started in Tokushima

The general incorporated association Tokushima Chiiki Energy in Tokushima city of Tokushima prefecture has launched a unique project to contribute to depopulating local communities in the prefecture.

The project is named "Community Happy Solar." It collects donations from citizens as well as financial aids from banks, etc.

Then it constructs middle-scale solar facilities in mountainous or remote regions. The generated electricity will be sold to power company.

And the revenue excluding necessary expenses will be utilized to promote local agriculture, forestry, and fishery.

Those who donate will be rewarded by periodic gifts of local specialty products.

The association has started its first project in Sanagouchi village to build a 120 kW solar.
It is collecting donations of 90 thousand JPY per unit until the end of September.

Mainichi: Area Tokushima: 2013/09/01
http://mainichi.jp/area/tokushima/news/20130901ddlk36020342000c.html

Satsuma-Sendai City to Lease Roofs of 41 Municipal Facilities for Solar

Satsuma-Sendai city of Kagoshima prefecture is going to lease for solar projects the roofs of 41 municipal facilities such as elementary schools, local community centers, and meal providers.

The condition is that the annual rent should be more than 100 JPY per square meter of roof.

According to the city government, all the area of the roofs amounts to 220 thousand square meters.

If the roofs are fully leased, the total output capacity of the solar panels on them is estimated to be 1.0 MW.

Yomiuri: Area Kagoshima: 2013/09/01
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/kagoshima/news/20130901-OYT8T00002.htm

1.2 MW Solar Completed in Kurihara, Miyagi

Kurihara New Energy Development completed the construction of 1.2 MW solar station in Kurihara city of Miyagi prefecture.

This is the first megasolar facility in the city.

7,740 photovoltaic panels were installed in a lot of 1.8 hectares.
The annual generation will be 1.15 million kWh.
Tohoku Electric Power is going to buy all the electricity to be generated.

The investment was 400 million JPY.

Kahoku Shimpo 2013/08/30
http://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2013/08/20130830t12042.htm

The Second "Solar Fund by Citizen" by Zec Sold Out

The solar entrepreneur Zec in Tokyo announced that the company's second "solar fund by citizen" was sold out as the first did in May.

The project is named "Kashimanada No.2 Solar Power Lot Fund." It collected 141 units of about 70 million JPY in total from 42 people.

The company is going to start the construction of the second station of 192 kW.
It aims to build 2 MW solar facilities every year.

Kankyo Business: 2013/08/30
http://www.kankyo-business.jp/news/005614.php

Nasu-Shiobara City to Build Microhydro

Nasu-Shiobara city of Tochigi prefecture is going to install a microhydro power station at the Torinome water purification plant.

The plant takes water of an average of 15 thousand cubic meters per day from Nasu Canal.

The pipeline which connects the plant and the canal has an elevation of 51 meters, of which the project is to harness.

The output capacity of turbine is not publicized, while the annual generation of electricity is estimated to be about 400 thousand kWh. The investment will be 120 million JPY.

Sankei: Area Kanto: 2013/8/25 02:11
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/region/news/130825/tcg13082502110004-n1.htm

IHI Enviro's Small Co-generation Utilizing Biogas from Food Sewage

IHI Enviro in Tokyo recently developed a small-scale co-generation system which utilizes biogas from organic sewage from food factory etc.

The sewage is processed in the "IC reactor," or internal circulation reactor.
The company is conducting a field test in Oita prefecture.

According to the company, the operation cost of the new facility is one twentieth of that of conventional activated sludge process. And the installation area will be one hundredth.

Nikkan Kogyo: 2013/08/27
http://www.nikkan.co.jp/news/nkx0520130827aaao.html
IHI Enviro (in English)
http://www.ihi.co.jp/ike/en/index.html

JCU Concluded Agreement on Solar with Takigawa City, Hokkaido

The metal plating company JCU in Tokyo concluded an agreement with Takigawa city of Hokkaido prefecture on its project of 1.2 MW solar power station.

The construction of the station will be completed in August 2014.
The investment will be 380 million JPY.

The company has sold and installed many solar systems, but this is the first case of operating a solar station.

Asahi: via Nikkan Kogyo: 2013/8/29 05:01
http://www.asahi.com/tech_science/nikkanko/NKK201308290012.html
JCU (in English)
http://www.jcu-i.com/english/index.html

Nissei Plastic Industrial Started Operation of 500 kW Solar in Sakaki, Nagano

Nissei Plastic Industrial started the operation of a 500 kW solar system on its factory roofs in Sakaki town of Nagano prefecture.

3,520 panels were installed. And the investment is 150 million JPY except construction cost.

Kankyo Business: 2013/08/29
http://www.kankyo-business.jp/news/005609.php
Nissei Plastic Industrial (in Engish)
http://www.nisseijushi.co.jp/en/index.html

Producing Hydrogen by Sunlight: Experiment Starts in October in Miyazaki

Miyazaki University is going to start in October a field experiment to produce hydrogen by beam down-type solar light collector.

The system concentrates rays of the sun to a point, which causes heat of high temperature (about 1,500 degrees Centigrade).

Putting metallic oxide such as iron and zinc or water vapor to the heat, the system produces hydrogen.

If the production becomes stable, the hydrogen can be utilized for fuel cells.

The team aims at the practical application by 2020.

Yomiuri: Area Miyazaki: 2013/08/30
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/miyazaki/news/20130829-OYT8T01540.htm/

Nabari Kintetsu Gas's 0.7 MW Solar Completed in Nabari, Mie

Nabari Kintetsu Gas completed the construction of a 0.7 MW solar facility at its gas factory in Nabari city of Mie prefecture. The operation is going to start on September 1st. The electricity will be sold to the group company.

The facility has 2,912 photovoltaic panels and the total investment is 200 million JPY.

Sankei: 2013/8/30 03:08
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/region/news/130830/mie13083003090001-n1.htm
Nabari Kintetsu Gas (in Japanese)
http://www.kintetsugas.co.jp/

Solar in Heavy Snow Region: Ongoing Project in Hirosaki, Aomori

Hirosaki city of Aomori prefecture recently settled its project to install four solar systems at elementary schools and other facility in the city.

The city held a seminar on 21st to present the result of the field test which had been done in January and February this year.

The field test showed that both-faces solar panels with 60 degree angle were the most efficient in generating electricity in mid-winter. Using both-sides type, the system could catch reflected light from snow. Also, the 60 degree angle could avoid thick fallen snow.  

Mainichi: Area Aomori: 2013/08/28
http://mainichi.jp/area/aomori/news/20130828ddlk02020089000c.html

Shizuoka Prefecture to Invite Tenders of 40 MW Floating Wind Station in November

Shizuoka prefecture is considering a floating wind power station near Omaezaki port.

According to the government's study so far, nine big-scale wind turbines of total 40.5 MW at maximum can be installed in the off-port area.

The municipality is going to invite tenders for the project in November and to settle the business entity by June 2014.

SmartJapan: 2013/08/19 09:00分
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/19/news016.html

"Insomnia from Wind Turbine": Man Seeking Provisional Disposition in Tahara, Aichi

A farmer in his forties petitioned the district court of Nagoya Toyohashi Branch for a provisional disposition to stop a wind turbine in Tahara city, Aichi prefecture.

The wind turbine of 1.5 MW scale is run by Mitsuuroko Green Energy in Tokyo and is located 350 meters from the farmer's house.

The farmer claimed that just after the turbine had started operation he had been distressed by its noise to be suffered from insomnia as well as neck pain and headache.

Now he sleeps in the night in a studio at five kilometers from the turbine.

According to a survey by the municipality, the noise level was 45.3 decibel, which is beyond the wind company's set point of 35 decibel.

Yomiuri: 2013/08/27 00:08
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20130826-OYT1T01052.htm

Kansai Electric Power to Build 290 MW Hydro in Laos

Kansai Electric Power announced on 27th that it would build a hydro power station of 290 MW scale in Bolikhamsai Province, Laos.

The electricity to be generated will be sold to public corporations of Laos and Thailand for 27 years.

The joint company in which Kansai EP (45%), the public corporation of electricity in Thailand (30%), and that in Laos (25%) invested will conduct the whole project.

The invest amount has not been publicized, but it is estimated to be tens of billion JPY.

Nikkei: 2013/8/27 22:35
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD270K4_X20C13A8TJ2000/

Ene Seed NOK Started Construction of 2.3 MW Solar in Kitakyusyu, Fukuoka

Ene Seed NOK, in which Chiyoda Corporation and Ene Seed jointly invested and founded, started the construction of 2.3 MW solar station in Kitakyusyu city, Fukuoka.

The "Ene Seed Kishi" solar station with 8,800 panels will generate 2.42 million kWh annually and all the electricity will be sold to Kyushu Electric Power.

The invest amounts to 560 million JPY.

This is the fourth solar station for the joint company.

Kanaloco: 2013/08/27
http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1308270021/
Chiyoda Corporation (in English)
http://www.chiyoda-corp.com/en/index.html
Seibu Gas: News Release: 2013/02/06
http://www.saibugas.co.jp/info/kouhou/htmls/nr788.htm

Tokyo Metropolitan Government to Finance Six Megasolar Projects via Public-Private Fund

Tokyo Metropolitan Government has conducted a public-private infrastructure fund, which is the first case of this kind in Japan.

The government recently settled six new cases of loan and investment.
All of them are megasolar projects in the country.

A) Loan and investment led by Sparx

 1) SGET Saga Megasolar, Saga prefecture
    Output 1.8 MW, Total Investment 700 million JPY, Operation Start October 2013
 2) SGET AKita Megasolar, AKita prefecture
    2.6 MW, 900 million JPY, December 2013
 3) SGET Tsumagoi, Gunma prefecture
    2.2 MW, 900 million JPY, January 2014
 4) SGET Nakai, Kanagawa prefecture
    9.8 MW, 3.9 billion JPY, April 2015
 5) SGET Kushiro, Hokkaido prefecture
    21.7 MW, 8 billion JPY, June 2015

   *SGET=Sparx Green Energy & Technology

B) Loan and investment led by IDI Infrastructures

 6) Shirakanezaka Megasolar, Kagoshima prefecture
    8.0 MW, 2.5 billion JPY, August 2015

Kankyo Business Online: 2013/08/26
http://www.kankyo-business.jp/news/005574.php

Showa Shell to Build a 49MW Woody Biomass: Biggest in Japan

Showa Shell Sekiyu is going to build a woody biomass power plant of 49 MW scale, which will be the biggest in the country.

The power station will be made in its idle land of old oil factory in Kawasaki city, Kanagawa.

Woody pellets, as well as palm husks which can be imported from southeast Asia for cheap price, will be fuel for the electricity generation.

The revenue from electricity sale under current FiT scheme is estimated to be 10 billion JPY per year.

The company will start construction in May 2014 and the operation start will be in December 2015.

Smart Japan: 2013/08/08 09:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/08/news020.html

Underground Thermal for Air-Conditioning: Study Started in Fukushima

Fukushima prefecture, together with Nihon University and the architectural designer Jyukankyo Sekkeishitsu (both in Koriyama city), started a practical test on underground thermal heat pump for house usage.

Today it is popular to make a deep‐drilled well of about 100 meters for house thermal pump.

However, the project uses ten of ten-meter deep piles which are filled with non-freezing solution. (The floor space is 80 square meters.)

The project team sees that relatively shallow level of thermal heat is enough for house usage and that it can cut the initial cost into 2 million JPY including heat pump.

Nikkei 2013/8/8 20:59
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFB08044_Y3A800C1L01000/

Fuji Electric Industry's Solar Monitoring System

Fuji Electric Industry in Kyoto (*different from Fuji Electric in Tokyo) will start selling the monitoring device on solar panels "SMH series" in October.

The new device can observe generation output of each string of panels to prevent electricity loss.

The master unit for 20 thousand JPY each is able to monitor 30 strings at most.
And a sensor unit costs 14 thousand JPY per unit.

Asahi via Nikkan Kogyo 2013/8/26 05:01
http://www.asahi.com/tech_science/nikkanko/NKK201308260010.html
Fuji Electric Industry
http://www.fujidk.co.jp/english/

Polus Group is Accelerating Solar Business

The house maker Polus group in Koshigaya, Saitama, is to progress its solar business.

The group's first megasolar of 1.0 MW scale in Shioya town of Tochigi prefecture started operation in May this year.

Daiichi Energy, one of Polus's affiliate companies, is going to build a 1.4 MW solar station in Nasu town of Tochigi. It will commence operation in January 2014.

Moreover, Polus-Tech is to install two solar facilities on the roofs of its factories. The output capacity will be 500 kW in total.

The group companies intend to feedback the know-hows from the megasolars into their residential solar business.

Sankei Biz: 2013/8/26 07:30
http://www.sankeibiz.jp/business/news/130826/bsc1308260730004-n1.htm

Myclimate Japan and GS Yuasa to Conduct F/S on Mini-Solar in Ethiopia

The carbon offset provider Myclimate Japan in Tokyo, together with GS Yuasa, is going to conduct a feasibility study on small-size solar facility and cell-phone charger in off-grid areas of Ethiopia.

The research project is financed by JICA.

Nikkei BP: 2013/08/20
http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/emf/20130820/252425/
Myclimate Japan (in Japanese)
http://jp.myclimate.org/jp/portrait/about-myclimate-japan.html

Bonds to Finance 1.0 MW Solar in Awaji Island Sold Out

According to Hyogo prefectural government, all the bonds which the municipality had issued to finance its solar project in Awaji island sold out after 22 days.

The bond was named "Awaji environment future island bond," if translated into English.
And it collected 400 million JPY from 470 residents.

The official in charge said that the selling speed was much faster than expected, even though that the interest rate was as low as 0.33 %.

The solar station of about 1.0 MW scale will be completed in March 2014.

Kobe Shimbun: 2013/8/24 07:04
http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/shakai/201308/0006276941.shtml
Hyogo Prefecture: The Bond:
https://web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp/kk08/miraijimasai.html

Nippon Carbide to Build 1.0 MW Solar in Uodu, Toyama

The chemical firm Nippon Carbide announced that it would install a 1.0 MW solar station in its idle factory in Uodu city of Toyama prefecture.

All the electricity will be sold to Hokuriku Electric Power.

The station will start operation in July 2014.

Hokkoku Shimbun: 2013/08/24 02:34
http://www.hokkoku.co.jp/subpage/K20130824305.htm

Sparx to Build 2.17 MW Solar in Kushiro, Hokkaido

Sparx group is going to install 2.17 MW solar in Kushiro city of Hokkaido prefecture.

All the electricity will be sold to Hokkaido Electric Power.

The company aims at start operation in June 2015.

Nikkei: 2013/8/23 23:30
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFC2300I_T20C13A8L41000/
Sparx:
http://www.sparx.jp/company/outline.html

2 MW Solar in Tsunami-ravaged Area Started Operation in Higashi-Matsushima, Miyagi

Higashi-Matsushima city of Miyagi prefecture, together with the trading company Mitsui, completed its 2.0 MW megasolar station at an old park, which had been hit and destroyed by the tsunami in 2011.

The solar station is named "Kizuna (Bond) Solar Park."

Nikkei: 2013/8/23 20:48
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD230FG_T20C13A8TJ1000/

Tokyo Metro to Install Solar at Eight Stations on Tozai Line

Tokyo Metro is advancing its solar project on the roofs of eight on-the-ground stations on Tozai Line, which basically connect the central Tokyo and its east suburbs in Chiba.

This month the company invested one billion JPY to install or upgrade facilities at four stations.

If the construction completes as planned by the end of 2014, the total output capacity will be one MW and the annual generation one million kWh.

SmartJapan: 2013/08/23 11:50
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/23/news055.html

Report Said Softbank is to Build 40MW Solar in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka

Chunichi Shimbun reported on 22nd that Softbank Group would build a 40 MW solar station in Hamamatsu city of Shizuoka prefecture.

If completed, it will be one of the largest solar facilities in Japan.

However, the public relations section of the company replied to Chunichi that the project was still under consideration and not settled yet.

Chunichi Shimbun: 2013/08/22
http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/shizuoka/20130822/CK2013082202000094.html

Misawa Homes to Start Selling 10kW Home Solar System

Misawa Homes is going to start selling on 23rd the "Solar Max" series of residential-usage solar system.

The new product can be installed on a house of 2 stories with floor space of more than 99 square meters.

Shinken Housing: 2013/08/21
http://www.s-housing.jp/archives/43526

Amenitech in Chiba to Start Consulting of "Solar Sharing"

The solar panel constructor Amenitech in Chiba city, Chiba, is going to start consulting business to support solar power generation in farmland.

The company will hold seminars on the issue today (22nd) and on 29th at Kisarazu Civic Hall.

Earlier in March this year, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries had eased regulation on solar facilities on agricultural land, which is sometimes called "solar sharing."

Nikkei: 2013/8/21 6:00
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNZO58718840Q3A820C1L71000/
Amenitech (in Japanese)
http://amenitech.jp/

Fuji Electric's New Monitoring Device for Megasolar

Fuji Electric recently developed the new product "PV string monitoring unit," which is able to measure generation output of up to 12 solar strings.

The direct current which the device can monitor is from one to ten amperes.
As for voltage, it can measure from 10 to 1000 volts for each string.

The product costs 120 thousand JPY a unit except installation.

SmartJapan: 2013/08/21 15:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/21/news021.html

Kansai Electric Power to Build 47MW Hydro in Indonesia

Kansai Electric Power announced on 20th that it would construct a hydro power station in Indonesia, in cooperation with local companies.

The company will start construction in October and aims to start the operation by July 2016.

The output capacity will be 47 MW.
The electricity will be sold to Indonesia Power for 30 years.

Nikkei: 2013/8/20 19:26
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD200EI_Q3A820C1TJ2000/

Obayashi Started Construction of 9.7MW Solar in Kobe, Hyogo

The construction company Obayashi started building a 9.7 MW solar station in its idle land in Kobe city of Hyogo prefecture.

The station will be completed in September 2014.

And all the electricity to be generated will be sold to Kansai Electric Power.

Sankei Biz: 2013/08/20 17:01
http://www.sankeibiz.jp/business/news/130820/bsd1308201702013-n1.htm

Surge of Solar and Biomass under FiT scheme: April-May 2013

The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of Japan recently updated after three months the statistics on renewable power facilities approved under the FiT scheme of the country.

According to the report, there was a sudden increase of solar and biomass power which had started operation during April and May this year.

During the same period, the output capacity of 961 thousand kW of non-residential solar power started operation, which has already exceeded the annual amount (706 thousand kW) of last fiscal year.

As for the solar for residential usage, the tendency is close to that of last year.

Biomass stations of 38 thousand kW in total commenced operation in those two months. Moreover, 387 thousand kW was already approved under the FiT and is waiting for completion.

SmartJapan: 2013/08/20 17:11
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/20/news106.html

2.0MW Solar Completed in Higashi-Matsuyama, Saitama

The environment entrepreneur Smart Energy in Tokyo completed the construction of its megasolar station in Higashi-Matsuyama city of Saitama prefecture.

8,000 solar panels were installed at an abandoned farm of 60,000 square meters.

The output is 2.0 MW and all the electricity will be sold to Tokyo Electric Power.
The estimated annual revenue is 88 million JPY.

Nikkei: Area Kanto-Koshin'etsu: 2013/8/19 23:37
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNZO58675570Z10C13A8L72000/

Field Test of Redox Flow Battery Started in Hokkaido

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) financed and started conducting a field test of redox flow battery produced by Sumitomo Electric.

The test site will be installed in Abira town of Hokkaido prefecture by the end of March 2015.
The battery capacity will be 60 MW scale, which is said to be the biggest in the world.

All the cost of 20 billion JPY is financed by the government.

The test intends to give solutions about stabilization of the grid electricity under current FiT scheme.

SankeiBiz: 2013/08/19 06:00
http://www.sankeibiz.jp/compliance/news/130819/cpd1308190601002-n1.htm
Sumitomo Electric (in English)
http://global-sei.com/

Mitsubishi Corporation to Invest in Solar Stations in France

Mitsubishi Corporation is going to invest in the project of two solar stations by EDF (Électricité de France).
The investment will be 2 billion JPY and the output capacity of the two station 56 MW.

Mitsubishi has already made an equity participation of another solar project of EDF group in January.

Nikkei: 2013/8/18 23:39
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD160KU_Y3A810C1TJC000/

Microhydro Field Test in Akaiwa, Okayama

Akaiwa city municipality in Okayama prefecture, together with the propeller manufacturer Nakashima Propeller and other company, is going to start a field study of microhydro power generation utilizing treated water.

The output capacity of the turbine is around 10 kW.

And the study will last until February 2014.

Yomiuri: Area Okayama: 2013/08/19
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/okayama/news/20130818-OYT8T00851.htm
Nakashima Propeller (in English)
http://www.nakashima.co.jp/eng/index.html

Tokyo Hatsuden Started Operation of Microhydro in Hakone, Kanagawa

Tokyo Hatsuden in Tokyo completed the construction of "Sukumogawa Power Plant" in Hakone town of Kanagawa prefecture and started its operation early this month.

The output capacity is 190 kW and the annual generation 1.1 kWh.
All the electricity will be sold to Tokyo Electric Power.

This is the first case of mycrohydro which utilizes the FiT scheme in Hakone.

SankeiBiz: 2013/08/19 06:00
http://www.sankeibiz.jp/business/news/130819/bsd1308190601002-n1.htm

Nippon Koei to Start Microhydro in Indonesia

The Engineering consulting firm Nippon Koei is going to start microhydro business in Indonesia by 2016.

The output capacity will be 7.2 MW. And the total investment is 1.6 billion JPY.

Utilizing the country's FIT scheme, the company will sell the electricity.
The annual sale is estimated to be 300 million JPY.

Nikkei: 2013/8/17 23:43
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD160IH_X10C13A8TJC000/
Nippon Koei (in English)
http://www.n-koei.co.jp/english/

Sharp to Reduce Time for Solar Panel Inspection by 50%

Sharp is going to start a new service of solar panel inspection, which would take 50% less time.

For the case of home solar facility, it would take 1-2 hours.
And the charge for an inspection is estimated to be around 100 thousand JPY.

An inspection machine was newly developed in cooperation with Nihon Kernel System in Osaka, and it should be installed on the solar panel to be examined.

Nikkei: 2013/8/17 23:44
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD160NX_X10C13A8TJC000/

Fuji Hensokuki's Improved Speed Increaser for Microhydro

Fuji Hensokuki in Gifu, Gifu prefecture, has developed a new product of speed increaser for microhydro power generator.

The company said that the speed increase efficiency of the new product is as high as more than 90% and that it makes less noise thanks to its original gear technology.

For the moment the increaser costs 220 thousand JPY for a 5.5 kW scale generator.

International Business Times: 2013/08/12 23:15
http://jp.ibtimes.com/articles/47870/20130812/1376316904.htm
Fuji Hensokuki (in English)
http://www.fujihensokuki.co.jp/english/

Microhydro Station Started Operation in Yunomae, Kumamoto

Kumamoto prefecture completed the construction of a microhydro power station in Yunomae town.

This is the second mycrohydro in the prefecture after one in Aso city.

The investment was 40 million JPY and the annual generation will be 35.5 thousand kWh.

Nishinihon Shimbun: 2013/08/15 01:35
http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/kumamoto/article/33083

Sojitsu to Construct Solars of 106 MW in total

The trading company Sojitz in Tokyo will build four solar staions of 106 MW in total.

The four sites are:
　　　-Nishiki town, Kumamoto (13MW)
　　　-Mihama town, Aichi (13MW)
　　　-Rokkasyo village, Aomori (71MW)
　　　-Koshimizu village, Hokkaido (9MW)

The total investment is estimated to be 35 billion JPY.

Sojitz has already operated 24 MW solar in Germany, but for the company this is the first megasolar project in Japan.

Smart Japan: 2013/08/14 11:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/14/news035.html

SB Energy's 3MW Solar to Start Operation in Yaita, Tochigi

One of the two facilities in SB Energy's solar power station (4.6 MW in total) has been completed and will start operation on 23rd in Yaita city of Tochigi prefecture.

The output capacity of the first section is 3.0 MW.
And the facility is adjacent to Sharp's Yaita Solar Power Station (2.3MW).

Smart Japan: 2013/08/16 11:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/16/news010.html

Food Service Watami to Build 15 MW Solar in Hokkaido

The food service giant Watami is going to install a 15 MW solar station in Atsuma town of Hokkaido prefecture.
The investment will be 5 billion JPY.

The company also intends to develop purchase networks of foodstuff with local municipalities in Hokkaido.

Nikkei: 2013/8/16 0:30
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD150JO_V10C13A8TJ0000/

2.1 MW Solar Started Operation near Huis Ten Bosch

The dutch-fashioned theme park Huis Ten Bosch in Sasebo city of Nagasaki prefecture started operation of its new 2.1 MW solar power station.

The station is located in an old car park at 2 km north-west from the attraction.

8,400 solar panels were installed at the angle of 10 degree.
And all the electricity to be generated will be sold to Kyusyu Electric Power.

Smart Japan 2013/08/15 07:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/15/news015.html
Huis Ten Bosch: Press Release (in Japanese)
http://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/aboutus/pdf/130810_htb12.pdf

JX Nippon Oil and Energy to Build Megasolars in Fukushima, Akita, Okinawa

JX Nippon Oil and Energy announced that it would build three megasolar stations at its idle lands in Fukushima (1 MW), Akita (4 MW), and Okinawa (1.2 MW).

This makes the company to run six megasolars (22 MW) in total.

EIC net via Nikkei BP: 2013/08/08
http://www.eic.or.jp/news/?act=view&serial=30688&oversea=0
JX Nippon Oil and Energy
http://www.noe.jx-group.co.jp/english/

Hiratsuka Tech High Won Solar Car Race 3 Times in Row

In the solar car race hold at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie prefecture, Hiratsuka Highschool of Science & Technology from Kanagawa prefecture won the overall championships three times in a row.

The final race took place on 3rd, which was a 4-hour endurance race.
The champion team has achieved a new record of 46 laps (5.8 kM per lap), one more lap than last year's record by itself.

Asahi: 2013/08/13 0:43
http://www.asahi.com/edu/articles/TKY201308120450.html

PV JAPAN 2013 (12)

Looop's "My Power Plant Kit" ("In-the-air" model)

 A view of the system in real size

 "Solar Hybrid System" by NTT Facilities,

which has both solar modules and water heater

"Glass solar": there could be seen several types of half-transparent panel

PV JAPAN 2013 (11)

Sharp's robot cleaner at the experimental stage

Sharp's dye-sensitized organic photovoltaic modules
colored for demonstration

PV JAPAN 2013 (10)

 Kaneka's solar panels to fit typical roof materials

The left is conventional model which reflects a lot of light,

while the right "Soltilex" by Kaneka glares less.

Kaneka (in English)

http://www.kaneka-solar.com/

Woody solar frame by Kanematsu NNK.

This seemed to me very innovative and ecological.

And wood is strong against heat and salt damage.

Kanematsu NNK (in English)

http://www.knn.co.jp/en/

PV JAPAN 2013 (9)

Ex-comedian and now Lower-house representative Mr. Higashikokubaru

talking for a solar investment company. Their relation is seemingly interesting.

Altenergy's "Simple Lay" construction method of solar on roof.

It doesn't pierce the roof so that it is free from the risk of rain leaking. 

Solar Frontier's "Solacic Neo."

As thick as a smartphone is... No, thinner!

PV JAPAN 2013 (8)

 Solar heaters by Terada Iron Works.

The temperature of their vacuum tubes can be 200 C at maximum.

Power generation by solar heater.

At the booth of Hitachi Zosen.

The microhydro turbine Vortex by Shinoda

PV JAPAN 2013 (7)

Organic photovoltaic module by AIST 

A model of microhydro by Shizuoka Chubu Kinzoku Kaihatsu Coop (SMDJ)

http://www.smdj.or.jp/

Solar cookers exhibited at Japan Solar Cooking Association (JSCA)

http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Japan_Solar_Cooking_Association

PV JAPAN 2013 (6): Light-Weight Solar Module Utilizing Acrylic Resin

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), together with Mitsubishi Rayon, is developing this light-weight module utilizing acrylic resin instead of glass for the front cover.
It makes the module much lighter from 14.6 to 7.2 kg.

PV JAPAN 2013 (5): Floating-Type Offshore Wind Turbine

A model of the floating-type offshore wind turbine in Fukushima prefecture.

A model of the substation which will control the offshore wind turbines.

The substation was recently completed by Japan Marine United.

Japan Marine United (English page):

http://www.jmuc.co.jp/en/

PV JAPAN 2013 (4): Hyper-Growth Botryococcus and Organic Photovoltaics

Hyper-Growth Botryococcus is good for biofuel production at relatively high speed.

A joint by IHI, Kobe University, and Neo-Morgan Laboratory.

Mitsubishi Chemical's organic thin-film solar cell