PVTIME – First Solar Japan and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (hereinafter “Toshiba ESS”) has signed a contract to construct two mega solar projects, Yatsubo Solar Power Plant and Ikeda Solar Power Plant in Tochigi Prefecture, Nasu area, Eastern Japan.
Both power plants will start operating in April 2023, adding a total of 60 megawatts (MW) of solar energy capacity to the country’s electricity grid. The electricity will be sold to TEPCO Power Grid, Inc. under a 20-year Feed-in-Tariff.
First Solar has signed a full turnkey EPC* contract with Toshiba ESS to construct the Yatsubo facility, while the Ikeda project will be constructed by a joint venture between Toshiba ESS and Asunaro Aoki Construction Co., Ltd. Toshiba ESS will be responsible for the transformer equipment, electrical works, and rack setup for Ikeda, Asunaro Aoki Construction will manage the reclamation.
Image of the Plants
Yatsubo Solar Power Plant 
Ikeda Solar Power Plant
The projects are responsibly developed in consultation with local communities and are designed to minimize their impact on the environment, while featuring a reduced visual profile that allows them to blend into their surroundings.
Both projects will be powered by First Solar’s high performance photovoltaic (PV) modules, designed and developed at the company’s R&D centers in California and Ohio, U.S.A. The modules have a carbon footprint that is up to six times lower than crystalline-silicon PV panels, allowing the projects to deliver the lowest carbon solar electricity available today.
First Solar Japan is a subsidiary of Arizona-headquartered First Solar, Inc., the only American company among the world’s largest solar manufacturers. With over 25 gigawatts of modules shipped to over 45 countries around the world, including Japan, First Solar is a global leader in delivering lower carbon solar solutions. First Solar has had a presence in Japan since 2013 and has added over 600MW of solar capacity to Japan’s grid, with over 200MW in construction.
Toshiba ESS provides power generation systems and solutions in wide variety of renewable energy types, from solar power to hydroelectricity, geothermal and wind-generated power. Going forward, Toshiba ESS will continue to engage in several different types of clean energy projects, such as constructing more industrial-use solar power plants as we help create societies that generate sustainable innovation.
*: EPC stands for Engineering, Procurement and Construction
Object of Power Plants
| Name of project | Yatsubo Solar Power Plant |
| Owner | FS Japan Project 24 LLC |
| Location | 4 Kaidoshita, Yatsubo, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture |
| Area of project site | Approximately 55 hectares |
| Solar power generation capacity | Approximately 31.9 MW |
| Planned start date of operation | April 2023 |
| Name of project | Ikeda Solar Power Plant |
| Owner | FS Japan Project B4 LLC |
| Location | 1796-1 Kitahara, Takakuhei Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture |
| Area of project site | Approximately 37.2 hectares |
| Solar power generation capacity | Approximately 26.2 MW |
| Planned start date of operation | April 2023 |
