Canadian Solar converts abandoned land into a 100-MWp solar projectHBKU’s QEERI continues professional data-driven support to Al Kharsaah solar plantCanadian Solar converts abandoned land into a 100-MWp solar project

pv MAG Nov 18, 2022 EST (Asia)

Canada-headquartered Canadian Solar announced its 100-MWp Azuma Kofuji solar project located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, recently reached commercial operation. It is Canadian Solar’s largest project in Japan and Fukushima Prefecture’s largest solar project in operation to date. The solar project, spanning 460 acres, will supply electricity to the utility Tohoku Electric Power Company at $0.26 per kWh under Japan’s feed-in-tariff program for over 18 years. It is expected to generate 106,800 MWh of clean energy to power approximately 31,000 households and cut down over 50,000 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions annually. It is worth mentioning that Azuma Kofuji was constructed on previously abandoned agricultural land. Canadian Solar “worked closely with the local communities and government in the land conversion process and successfully passed the Environmental Impact Assessment monitored by the Fukushima Prefecture,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar. It demonstrates how the public and private sectors can collaborate closely to help reinvigorate the local community and economy.

We are proud to take part in rebuilding economic and energy resilience in the Fukushima hometowns while supporting Japan’s 2050 carbon neutrality ambitions,” added Dr. Qu.

So far, Canadian Solar has over 470 MWp of utility-scale solar projects in Japan that are either in operation or under construction, and two partnership platforms in the Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund and Japan Green Infrastructure Fund. Driven by our differentiated technology and massive manufacturing scale, Canadian Solar has become one of the first-tier solar companies in Japan’s solar market. The Azuma Kofuji project utilizes Canadian Solar’s HiKu series PV modules. Its long-term operations and maintenance will be performed by Canadian Solar’s local subsidiary. It will also donate part of its revenues to support local agricultural sector activities in Fukushima City.