Solar Frontier shows PV greenhouses in Fukishima
Solar Frontier has begun cooperating with the Fukushima government in Minamisoma, Fukushima, to demonstrate the potential of partially outfitting existing greenhouses with solar panels. The "Greenhouse PV Demonstration Project" has been adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as part of the ongoing support for Fukushima's recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake, under "Projects Promoting Residential Solar and Economic Recovery 2012 (Fukushima Jissho Model)."
The demonstration will model agricultural output of a selected greenhouse and revenue from the sale of electricity from its solar panels into the grid. A total of 324 panels with 50kW total rated capacity will cover about 1,300 square meters of space on the greenhouse while it continues to produce high value tomatoes and strawberries. The results of the project are due to be reported in January, 2014, to determine impacts of shadows from solar panels on high value greenhouse products.
The project has been engineered and constructed in cooperation with BELECTRIC[1], a global leader in the development and construction of utility-scale photovoltaic systems. Other partners in the project are international greenhouse expert and manufacturer, Les Industries Harnois[2], and power inverter supplier, SMA[3].
Solar Frontier's support for the recovery efforts in Fukushima also includes donations of solar power systems to elementary and junior high schools in the area. This opportunity to help drive forward enhancements to agricultural value shows Solar Frontier's commitment to helping realize a more sustainable energy future for Japan.