Canadian Solar begins 52.5MWp of solar power plants in Japan

Solar PV modules producer Canadian Solar has started commercial operation of 52.5MWp of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Japan.

The plants include the 47.7MWp Mashiki plant, the 2.4MWp Yamagata Asahimachi plant, the 1.3MWp Shizuoka Tashiro plant and the 1.1MWp Saitama Shiroishi plant.

Powered by the company’s high-efficiency MaxPower modules, the Mashiki plant commenced operation ion June this year.

Under a 20-year feed-in-tariff contract signed with Kyushu Electric Power at the rate of JPY36 ($0.32) per kWh, Canadian Solar estimates that the plant will generate around 57,000 MWh of clean, solar electricity per annum.

Brought online in March this year, the Yamagata Asahimachi, Shizuoka Tashiro and Saitama Shiroishi plants are expected to generate around 5,429MWh of clean electricity annually, which will be purchased under a 20-year feed-in-tariff contract at the rate of JPY32 ($0.28), JPY36 ($0.32) and JPY27 ($0.24) per kWh respectively.

Canadian Solar chairman and chief executive officer Dr Shawn Qu said: “We are pleased to have energized the 52.5MWp of solar power plants in Japan. The 47.7MWp Mashiki plant is the largest solar power plant that we have built there, which brings our total portfolio of projects in operation in Japan to 112.7MWp.

“This is a milestone as we continue to make progress in developing and delivering our high-value solar project pipeline in this important market.”