KYOTO, Japan–Kyocera Corporation (herein “Kyocera”), IHI Corporation (herein “IHI”) and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. (herein “Mizuho CB”) today announced that the three companies have reached a basic agreement to construct a 70-megawatt (MW) solar power plant in southern Japan and to further explore a business model for utility-scale solar power generation. The “mega-solar plant” is being built to help solve Japan’s power supply issues caused by the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and to make a contribution to environmental protection, including the reduction of CO2 emissions.
To be built in Kagoshima City (Kagoshima Prefecture), the solar power project is being undertaken by combining the strengths of the three companies: Kyocera utilizing its more than 35 years of experience in the solar business; IHI implementing its proactive stance on promoting the increased use of renewable energy; and Mizuho CB applying its wide-ranging finance knowledge.
Within the agreement, the Kyocera Group will be responsible for the supply of 100% of the solar modules and part of the construction & maintenance of the system; IHI will lease the land and actively participate in the operation of the project; and Mizuho CB will devise a financing plan for the project. Furthermore, a special-purpose company will be established to undertake the business operation of the mega-solar plant, with Kyocera planning to become the largest shareholder. In the process of exploring the feasibility of the new business, Kyocera and IHI have enlisted the support of and plan to get cooperation for investment in the special-purpose company from KDDI Corporation; Kyudenko Corporation; Kagoshima Bank, Ltd.; Takenaka Corporation and others.
With the cooperation of the Kagoshima prefectural and municipal governments and others in the local area, the companies seek to both revitalize the local area, and through the spread of renewable energy use, to contribute to the preservation of the environment and the advancement of society.
The planned site of the solar power plant is approximately 1,270,000m2 (approx. 314 acres) of land owned by IHI — roughly the same area as 27 baseball stadiums. The total project cost is estimated at approximately 25 billion yen (approx. 309 million US dollars*1), with construction to commence in July of this year.
Plans for the plant include exclusive use of approximately 290,000 Kyocera multicrystalline solar modules, with a total capacity of 70MW, becoming the largest officially announced solar power plant in Japan. The planned 70MW of solar power generation is equal to almost 40% of the total amount of public/industrial-use solar power equipment shipped domestically in CY2011*2. The approximately 79,000MWh of annual electricity generated will provide the equivalent power for roughly 22,000 average households*3, and will help to offset roughly 25,000 tons of CO2 per year*4.
Expectations and interest in solar energy have heightened to a new level in Japan with the planned July 1 start of a revamped feed-in tariff (FIT) program and the need to resolve power supply issues caused by the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Under these circumstances the three companies have reached this basic agreement as they believe that it is their corporate responsibility to proactively tackle environmental problems.
| Solar Power Project Overview | ||
| Project name: |
Kagoshima Nanatsujima Mega-Solar Power Plant (tentative name) | |
| Participating companies: |
Kyocera Corporation; IHI Corporation; Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. Planned support from KDDI Corporation; Kyudenko Corporation; Kagoshima Bank, Ltd.; Takenaka Corporation |
|
| Power output: |
70MW (largest in Japan, as of April 9, 2012; based on officially announced projects) | |
| (The power generated is envisioned to be purchased by Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. in line with the Japanese Bill on Special Measures Concerning Procurement of Renewable Energy Sourced Electricity by Electric Utilities) | ||
| Location: | 2 Nanatsujima, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan | |
| Area: | 1,270,000m2 | |
| Total investment: |
Approx. 25 billion yen | |
| Project timeline: |
June 2012: Establishment of special-purpose company July 2012: Start of construction |
|
| Note: Project details may change depending on the final purchasing price and conditions of the aforementioned Bill. | ||
Company Background
Kyocera
Based on the business rationale of “for the world, for the people,” Kyocera began R&D of solar energy in 1975. Since then, the company has been continuously innovating upon its technology — contributing to both the development of the solar industry and protection of the environment. Kyocera holds the No.1 share of the domestic public/industrial-use solar market*5. In particular, where quality and reliability are of high importance, the company’s modules have been selected for the highest number of “mega-solar” projects*6 and public school solar installations*7 in Japan, and its modules have also been used for a number of utility-scale solar projects around the world. Furthermore, Kyocera was the first manufacturer in the world to have its solar modules certified by the third party organization TUV Rheinland’s Long-Term Sequential Test — earning the company an excellent reputation for its product quality and reliability.
IHI
The IHI Group seeks to solve various environmental, industrial, social and energy related problems of the 21st century by using engineering expertise to focus on manufacturing technology — to improve the competitiveness of products and services offered by strengthening the capabilities required in development, design, supply, manufacturing and construction. In striving towards these goals, IHI is becoming a global enterprise offering safety and security for the benefit of both the environment and humanity. The company is participating in this mega-solar project to effectively utilize its property in Kagoshima City towards these goals. IHI also plans to use the area to experiment and verify other renewable energy applications in addition to the mega-solar plant.
Mizuho Corporate Bank
As a financial institution, Mizuho CB believes that it can make a large contribution to the field of environmental preservation, and thus strives to address challenges relating to climate change prevention and biodiversity conservation. On top of proactively financing renewable energy projects including solar thermal power, wind power and photovoltaic power generation, Mizuho CB also applies the Equator Principles — a credit risk management framework for determining, assessing and managing environmental and social risk in development project finance.
| *1 | For the reader’s convenience. Based on an exchange rate of JPY81 = USD1 (April 10, 2012) | |
| *2 | Calculated from quarterly figures compiled by the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) | |
| *3 | Based on an average use of 3,600kWh per household. Source: Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan | |
| *4 | Based on calculations derived from standards created by JPEA | |
| *5 | Based on research by Kyocera | |
| *6 | As of December 2011. Based on calculations from publicly announced mega-solar projects. Source: Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan | |
| *7 | As of December 2011. Based on research by Kyocera from data compiled by the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology regarding solar installations within the “School New Deal” initiative | |
| To see more images, please visit: |
| http://global.kyocera.com/news/2012/0403_kara.html |
| For more information about Kyocera solar modules used at large-scale power plants: |
| http://global.kyocera.com/reliability/file05.html |
About KYOCERA
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), 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 plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2011, the company’s net sales totaled 1.27 trillion yen (approx. USD15.3 billion). The company is ranked #604 on Forbes magazine’s 2011 “Global 2000” listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.
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