BayWa r.e.’s first solar farm in Japan, the Kuwabarajo Mega Solar No.4, was completed and commissioned in June 2020. The solar farm features a 11.9 MW ground-mounted PV facility covering 24 hectares in Izumi, Kagoshima Prefecture. The project, built with 31,248 solar panels, is already feeding power into the national grid and provides clean electricity sufficient for approximately 5,000 homes. BayWa also notes that the commissioning of its first Japanese solar farm underpins its ambition to expand its pipeline in the Japanese market, including a 35 MW site in Ibaraki and a 50 MW project in Kobe. This is despite the challenges faced then like in Japan’s terrain and permitting processes. Japan is also investing in battery storage project to co-locate with its solar farms. Osaka gas is currently installing the largest renewable BESS in Japan in Oita Prefecture.
Kuwabarajo Mega Solar No.4 Project Factsheet
Location: Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Developer: BayWa r.e.
Project Type: Ground-mounted solar PV
Capacity: 11.9 MW AC (approx. 13.5 MW DC)
Technology: Polycrystalline PV panels; 31,248 units over 24 hectares
Annual Output: 14 GWh of clean electricity
Construction Start: 2020
Commercial Operation Date: 2021
Grid Connection: Kyushu Electric Power Transmission & Distribution Co.
Engineering and Construction: Local contractors managed under BayWa r.e. Japan
Significance: BayWa r.e.’s first operational solar project in Japan.
Status: Operational
BayWa Unveils First Solar Farm in Japan
August 14, 2021 – International renewable energy developer BayWa has announced the successful completion of its first solar park in Japan. The Kuwabarajo Mega Solar No.4 solar farm in Japan covers an area 24 hectares. It is found in Izumi in the Kyushu Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The 11.9 MW project will generate enough electricity to power 5,000 households. Despite being located in a hilly area, the construction of the solar farm, which comprises 31,248 solar panels, took over one year. Now operational, it is feeding green electricity into the national grid.
Albeit the challenging market conditions, BayWa still plans to continue growing its portfolio of Japanese assets. It’s portfolio includes a 35 MW solar park in Ibaraki prefecture and a 50 MW PV plant in Kobe.
Also Read: Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills Project begins operation in Japan.
The commission of the solar farm comes soon after a report that claims that the Covid-19 pandemic has deflated Japan’s photovoltaic (PV) solar market to the point where it will soon rely on coal, done by GlobalData analysts. Just as in many other countries, electricity demand in Japan fell during its coronavirus-induced lockdown. With the country’s increased use of solar power, supply remained constant and wholesale electricity prices were kept low. Japan has invested significantly in solar, but changing the country’s tariff structure and problems with interconnection has caused various hurdles. During the pandemic, construction work for new solar facilities was put on hold. The country is also facing large delays in receiving PV units from neighboring country, China.
China forms a vital part of Japan’s solar supply chain. The onset of the pandemic there has affected the shipment of photovoltaic modules and other equipment for many Japanese developers.
