World's Largest 1,000 kWp Amorphous Type Solar Power Plant

The power plant is comprised of approximately 10,000 amorphous type PV modules, covering a vast 16,500 m² expanse of land equivalent in size to about 2.3 official soccer pitches. Annual power production is approximately 1,000,000 kWh. It can provide electricity for 320 local households. At the end of last month, when the power plant was completed, a grand ceremony to celebrate the achievement was held, and local representatives as well as officials from all relevant sectors were invited.

The amorphous type solar power plant is a generating system that converts sunlight directly into electricity, and it excels in environmental conservation. The amorphous type PV modules outshine their alternatives with excellent power during the summer months when the amount of solar radiation is at its peak. Compared to the crystalline type PV module, approximately 10% more electricity can be generated over a full year. Further, there is a considerable reduction in the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2). The annual reduction in CO2 due to this power plant is approximately 1,000 Ton-C, equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed by trees planted in a forest fifty times larger than the Tokyo Dome sports stadium. In addition to this, one of the features of our modules is that they are large in area and deliver a high voltage. This is regarded as optimal for parallel operation with main.

Germany is the greatest country in Europe to popularize solar energy generation. In 2000, it enacted the Renewable Energy Law, and adopted a system which guarantees the long-term mandatory purchasing by power companies of electricity generated from natural energy. Further, in January of this year, Germany revised the law to give preference to terms for purchasing electricity generated from solar energy. The solar energy generation market is currently experiencing a huge expansion. It is predicted that this growth will continue into the future.

MHI also has a record of supplying amorphous type modules last year in Germany to solar power plants of 300 kWp and 400 kWp capacity (both located in Munich suburbs), which were also undertaken by Phoenix. The provision this time can be linked to the favorable regard held toward MHI's previous performance. But, MHI also hopes to take this opportunity to develop enterprising activities to expand sales not only in Germany, but also to the prospective markets of Spain, Portugal, Italy and France, where the implementation of electricity purchase systems have followed in Germany's wake.