Global solar PV and energy storage solutions company Trinasolar has announced the commercial operation of its latest agrivoltaics project in Fukuchiyama, in Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture.
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The Fukuchiyama project is expected to generate 2,700MWh of clean energy annually, and is a prime example of agrivoltaics, where agricultural land is used for both crop production and solar energy generation.
As Japan seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) has projected that one-quarter of the country’s solar power generation will come from agricultural land.
In this case, the solar farm supports the cultivation of Japanese yam, also known as ebi-imo, a crop native to the region. With its low light saturation point, Japanese yam thrives beneath the shade of the solar module.
In addition, it depends heavily on soil moisture, and is typically grown in paddy fields. The shade provided by the modules reduces soil moisture evaporation, ensuring the crops have sufficient water for growth.
Trinasolar’s innovative “PV+” model is key to this success. The modules are mounted at a minimum height of 2.35m above the ground, with rows spaced to allow the use of agricultural machinery like tractors and rotary tillers.
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This design ensures that agricultural operations can continue seamlessly beneath the modules, fostering sustainable land use and contributing to the local economy.
