One of Japan's Largest Renewable Energy Power Plants

The "Tahara Solar & Wind Joint Project" involves constructing a 50 MW solar power plant and a 6 MW wind power plant on land owned by Mitsui Chemicals in Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture, to operate solar and wind power generation businesses. The plan, with a total project cost of approximately 18 billion yen, aims for commencement of construction in June 2012 after feasibility studies. Toshiba will lead the design, procurement, and construction of the solar power generation equipment, with Mitsui & Co., Toagosei, Toray, and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding also participating in the joint venture.



Toshiba, which has received orders for a cumulative total of eight megasolar power plant projects in Japan, will leverage its track record to handle overall engineering, including basic design for the solar power plant, supply of key equipment, and construction. This solar power plant is expected to utilize 500kW power conditioners developed by the Toshiba Group, boasting the industry's top conversion efficiency of 97.7% (at a rated voltage of 350V and 50% output).



The electricity generated by this solar power plant, covering an area equivalent to about 17 Tokyo Domes, is projected to be a combined 67.5 million kWh annually from solar and wind power. This is equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 19,000 households, or 90% of the total households in the city. All generated electricity will be purchased and transmitted by Chubu Electric Power.



The market for solar power generation systems for industrial and utility use is expected to reach 2.2 trillion yen by 2015. This project in Tahara City, which boasts some of the highest sunshine hours and average wind speeds in Japan, is noteworthy for its potential to indicate future trends in the next-generation energy market.