In a pioneering move for Japan's renewable energy sector, Sharing Farm Co., Ltd. has announced the signing of an offsite Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for its innovative vertical solar sharing power plant in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. The agreement, inked with Marubeni Power Retail Corporation, marks the first instance in Japan of an offsite PPA utilizing the Feed-in Premium (FIP) scheme for a vertical solar sharing installation.
Sharing Farm, which obtained agricultural land ownership rights in January 2024, secured a 10-year temporary land use permit in March for the solar sharing project. The low-voltage solar power plant, constructed on the company's agricultural land in Teraoka-cho, Ashikaga City, was completed in May 2024.
What sets this project apart is its vertical installation of solar panels facing east and west. This unique configuration allows for increased power generation during morning and evening hours when electricity demand typically peaks, offering a more aligned power supply to demand patterns compared to conventional solar installations.
The construction of the power plant was undertaken by Sun Village Co., Ltd., with Sharing Farm retaining ownership of the generation facilities. The company is in the process of securing 17-year financing from financial institutions for the project.
Importantly, Sharing Farm has maintained active agricultural production on the site. In October of the previous year, the company harvested and shipped 960 kg of rice from the field. This June, rice planting was carried out again, with the second rice harvest and shipment scheduled for October, demonstrating the successful integration of solar power generation with continued agricultural activities.
This initiative serves as a launchpad for Sharing Farm's broader ambitions to expand its solar sharing business, primarily in the northern Kanto area. The company aims to meet the renewable energy needs of RE100-aligned corporations, local governments, and other consumers while simultaneously creating employment opportunities in local agriculture.
The successful implementation of this vertical solar sharing project and its associated PPA could pave the way for similar initiatives across Japan, potentially revolutionizing the country's approach to renewable energy generation in harmony with agriculture.
Source:
Sun village [Press release]
Sharing Farm Co., Ltd
Marubeni Power Retail Corporation
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