TOKYO —
Kyocera Corp will install one of the world’s largest floating solar power plants in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Kyocera TCL Solar LLC, an SPC (special purpose company) jointly established by Kyocera and Century Tokyo Leasing Corp (TC-Lease), will build the mega (large-scale) solar power plant by procuring a “floating mounting system” from France-based Ciel&Terre International. The construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in September 2014 and be completed in April 2015.
A floating mounting system is a floating structure used to install solar panels on the water. Ciel&Terre’s floating mounting system, “Hydrelio,” is made of high-density polyethylene, which is resistant to ultraviolet light and corrosion, and 100% recyclable.
The Hydrelio was developed by Ciel&Terre, which now owns patents on it. And at least one of the Hydrelio mounting systems installed in France has already been in use for more than three years. Its strength design and connecting technology enable the system to withstand even typhoons.
Kyocera TCL Solar plans to engage in the construction of floating mega solar plants by using Ciel&Terre’s floating mounting systems. For its first project, it will start to build solar power generation systems whose total capacity will be about 2.9MW on two ponds in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture, in September 2014. According to Kyocera, the mega solar plant that will have an output of about 1.7MW and be built on one of the ponds will be the world’s largest solar power plant floating on the water.
Kyocera to build world's largest floating solar plant ‹ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion