Softbank and Toshiba to add 80MW of PV in Japan across two projects

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Almost 100MW worth of plans to install new PV generation capacity have been unveiled this week, with two new projects totalling 80MW added to the large-scale project on a former golf course which was reported yesterday by PV Tech.

Telecoms provider Softbank’s energy generation business will develop a 43MW ground-mount plant, while one of Japan’s largest general trading companies, Itochu, revealed plans yesterday for a 37MW PV power station. These are in addition to the 15MW golf course project in Tochigi Prefecture revealed yesterday, which will be supplied with PV modules by Solar Frontier.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Softbank subsidiary SB Energy will execute its 43MW project in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, south-west of Tokyo, in a 50%-50% partnership with another of Japan’s vast general trading companies, Mitsu & Co. Mitsui & Co and Softbank have worked together on several renewable energy projects in the past.

The 53.1 hectare project is scheduled to be completed and connected by the start of the 2016 financial year. It is expected to have an annual output of 59,324,000kWh which SB Energy claims is enough to power just under 15,000 households, based on an average demand per household of 3,600kWh per year.

Meanwhile, Toshiba will build the 37MW project as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner for Itochu, in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, which is yet further south-west on the main Japanese island, Honshu. Construction is expected to begin this month and be completed by December 2016.

Electricity from the plant will be sold to local utility Chugoku Electric Power over 20 years. Itochu will hold a 50% stake in the project, with two other partners Ene One Solar Co and Fuyo General Lease holding 25% each. Itochu claims that with this project, its interest in renewable energy projects will close in on 480MW across five countries.

Discussions to resolve the longstanding issue of grid connection for solar are still ongoing, after several of Japan’s regional utility companies, which are also responsible for grid connection, began refusing to approve new applications for medium and large-scale PV projects in September. A group which was convened by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) met twice in October, with one more meeting expected to take place before the end of the year.

Under pressure from politicians and businesses, and faced with rising consumer energy bills, that ‘working group’ is also making recommendations ahead of a wide-ranging review of the feed-in tariff (FiT) programme that has been behind so much of Japan’s rapid solar expansion since July 2012 when it began.

Read Next

September 10, 2025
At RE+ 2025, companies launched AI-driven platforms, terrain-following trackers, low-carbon modules, and advanced energy management solutions for solar and storage.
Premium
September 10, 2025
PV Talk: Italy’s new CfD policy offers clear support for solar developers in an otherwise uncertain legislative landscape, says Terrawatt's Patrizio Donati.
September 10, 2025
A project claimed to be Germany’s largest agriPV plant has been commissioned in the north-east of the country.
September 10, 2025
Renewables developer rPlus Energies has secured US$100 million in tax equity financing for its 125MW solar PV plant in the US state of Idaho.
September 10, 2025
Indian solar module manufacturer Vikram Solar reported a 79.7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first quarter of FY26.
September 10, 2025
Cordelio Power has started commercial operations at its 150MW Winfield solar project in Lincoln County, Missouri.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines