Kyocera has installed a solar powered recharging station for electric vehicles, aimed at increasing clean energy generation and providing energy security in the event of disaster.
The install is at the headquarters of Japanese automotive parts manufacturer Shintec Hozumi, which drew up a development plan for the system. It was then designed and constructed by Kyocera subsidiary Kyocera Communications Systems Co. PV panels on the buildings’ roof top-up EV batteries through charging stations. In the event of disaster, the EV batteries can then be used as back-up energy for the building. The rooftop PV system, also manufactured by Kyocera, has a generation capacity of 230kW.
According to Kyocera the original plan for Solar Cycle Station was launched in 2010, when it was a charging station for electric-assisted bicycles. The plan was adapted for EV use in 2012.
In addition to solar panel manufacture and solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities, Kyocera’s activities in energy also include marketing lithium-ion batteries and energy management systems (EMS).