World’s largest floating solar energy system to be built in Japan

February 17, 2016 0 By Alicia Moore

Kyocera will be developing the largest floating solar farm in the world

Kyocera, a Japanese electronics company, has begun work on developing what will become the world’s largest floating solar farm. The energy system is being built in the Chiba Prefecture and is expected to generate enough electricity to power 5,000 average homes. Kyocera expects that the solar farm will begin producing electrical power in early 2018. The solar energy system resembles Japan’s continued interest in clean power, which it is using to become more environmentally friendly in the coming years.

Lack of land access makes floating solar farms a viable energy solution

Japan is not a large country and its limited space has made the expansion of solar power more difficult. Since 2011, the country has been taking advantage of its access to open bodies of water to build floating solar power systems. In general, the country’s focus on renewable energy has grown aggressively in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster, which became one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. This disaster lead to Japan shutting down many of its nuclear facilities, focusing instead on supporting various forms of clean power.

Floating solar farms are not necessarily technologically advanced

Solar Panels - Solar EnergyA floating solar farm may seem like a difficult system to develop, but the technology behind such a system is relatively straightforward, according to the Renewable Energy Association. The technology behind such systems is roughly similar to what is used to develop solar farms on land, except the solar panels used are able to float. The Renewable Energy Association notes that floating systems do not typically generate more electrical power than their land-based counterparts and the only reason to develop such systems is due to a lack of land resources.

Japan continues to show strong support for clean power

Solar energy has become a very important focus for Japan. The country has joined others in fighting to reduce emissions that are produced through various sectors. Japan has invested heavily in clean technology in order to fight the effects of climate change and become more environmentally friendly. Solar is just one aspect of renewable energy that has garnered support from the Japanese government.

Spread the love