Kyocera Sakura solar energy center marks 25 years

KYOTO, JAPAN: Since 1975, Kyocera Corp. has continuously been developing its solar energy business with the business rationale, “To bring the power of the sun to the world.”

To achieve that goal, in August 1984, Kyocera established the Sakura Solar Energy Center just outside of Tokyo for the research & development, and promotion of solar power generating systems. This month the Center marks its 25th anniversary.

At the time of the establishment of the Sakura Solar Energy Center in 1984, use of solar power generating systems was limited to special applications such as unmanned lighthouses, satellites and wireless repeater stations; and not many people were aware of the possibility of solar power as an energy source used in daily life.

The concept behind the establishment of the Center was to create a comprehensive facility at which to conduct research into solar power products and to facilitate understanding of the benefits of solar energy by introducing it to the world.

Serving our mission, “To deliver light to areas without electricity,” set-up within the facility are solar power generating systems for real-life examples of housing, agricultural pumps, and village electrification that are typically found in areas without electricity in developing countries in Africa and Asia. Kyocera has focused particular attention on experiments and R&D with these installations.

The Center is conveniently located close to Narita International Airport — the gateway to Japan — in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, and has been receiving various groups from state visitors and important guests to technical staff and engineers from all over the world for training on solar power applications.

In the 25 years since it was established over 50 thousand visitors have come to the Center to learn about solar power technology — contributing to increased global solar energy awareness.

The technology and experience cultivated at the Center is presently being put to work around the world in mainstream grid-connected systems. With the rise in concern for global environmental issues solar energy first started drawing wide-spread attention as a clean energy source in the 1990s. Anticipating this trend, in 1991, Kyocera was the first company to provide commercial grid-connected systems in Japan.

The Center is equipped with a 43kW solar power generating system that was installed in 1984, and which, to this day, continues to provide power for the facility’s indoor and emergency lighting. At a time when few other large-scale solar power generating systems existed, the installation was a unique and unprecedented experimental system.

Solar energy and social contributions
As part of the company’s corporate social responsibility activities, Kyocera has been actively donating solar power generating systems since 1983 to locations around the world that do not have electricity; starting with a system to the village of Kankoi, Pakistan, as well as a rural village electrification system in Gansu Province, China, and a solar-powered agricultural pump in Thailand.

In recent years, Kyocera has also made donations of solar power generating systems for school facilities in Tanzania, Nepal and Uganda in order to help contribute to the education of the children who will be the bearers of the future.

Moreover, the solar modules developed at the Center are being installed all over the world, including developing countries in Asia and Africa, as part of the Japanese government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program.

This started in 1984 with the first project to supply a solar power installation in Pakistan, and since then has also expanded to other countries including Myanmar, Vietnam, Mongolia, Malawi and Uganda. In 2007, the first Yen-Loan Project to use solar power generating systems was confirmed to provide Kyocera solar modules in Tunisia.

“The Sakura Solar Energy Center will continue to strive for the enhancement of solar technology in order to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society,” said Junichi Honda, manager of the Sakura Solar Energy Center. “We believe that solar energy can play a large role in helping to solve the world’s energy and environmental issues.”

Kyocera supplies solar modules for Toyota Prius

KYOTO, JAPAN: Kyocera Corp. announced that it is supplying solar modules for the new Toyota Prius solar ventilation system, an optional feature for the hybrid car model introduced in Japan by Toyota Motor Corp. on May 18.

The system ventilates the air inside of the car by using the electricity generated by the solar module on the rooftop to drive the fans while the car is parked during the daytime. This feature automatically moderates temperature rise inside of the vehicle even during hot seasons.

For this product, Kyocera has implemented strict quality control evaluations, done through rigorous testing to confirm heat resistance, vibration resistance, shock resistance and other aspects, in order to ensure that the quality meets the standards required for onboard components used on the new Prius. For the production of this module, Kyocera has set up a dedicated production line with specialized manufacturing engineers to ensure thorough manufacturing control.

By supplying solar modules for the Prius, a leading eco-car that has won praise all over the world, Kyocera is proud to offer a new function for the use of solar modules to the owners of the vehicles.

American Solar Electric, KYOCERA, leading component makers bring solar to Habitat for Humanity

SCOTTSDALE, USA: Five families participating in Habitat for Humanity’s new homeowner program will be moving into solar-powered homes this year as a result of an industry partnership coordinated by American Solar Electric. The solar electric systems are being donated by American Solar Electric to Habitat for Humanity as part of the company’s 2009 Community Outreach Program.

The systems range in size from 2.73 to 3.15 kilowatts and are comprised of Kyocera high output 210-watt photovoltaic (PV) modules and high-efficiency Fronius IG and IG+ inverters.

Electricity generated by the solar electric systems will be used to offset utility power, thereby reducing the cost of electricity for the new homeowners. The systems are forecasted to produce between 4,700 and 5,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity in their first year of production.

“Even as our local economy has slowed, the local solar industry has continued to boom,” said Sean Seitz, president of American Solar Electric. “Thanks to our continued success and the contributions made by our employees and industry partners, we’ve been able to increase the number of solar projects we donate to Habitat for Humanity from two in 2008 to five in 2009.”

“Solar systems are not only a great source of clean energy but they significantly lower monthly electricity bills as well,” said U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell. “At a time when many people are struggling economically, Habitat for Humanity’s energy efficient homes will help insulate these families from rising energy costs.”

In addition to American Solar Electric’s donation of system components, employees of American Solar Electric and Kyocera are donating their time and expertise to install the systems. Additionally, Fronius has agreed to supply high-efficiency inverters for the projects at discounted prices.

“The partnership with American Solar Electric has a significant impact on Habitat’s ability to build affordable homes,” said Roger Schwierjohn, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona. “We appreciate American Solar’s commitment to renewable energy and to the families we serve.”

“We, at Kyocera, are pleased that our employees are volunteering their time to help Habitat for Humanity improve the human condition and the environment by installing pollution-free solar energy on homes,” stated Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc.

“Fronius is excited to be a part of Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to create sustainable affordable housing,” said Gord Petroski, director, Fronius USA, Solar Division. “Long-term planning is a core value at Fronius, and we are proud our inverters will be a part of the systems that will help keep these homes affordable into the future.”

It is the goal of Habitat for Humanity to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification on all five homes. One of the homes will be featured as part of the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo coming to Phoenix on November 11-13. This featured home has been designed to be a ‘net zero energy’ home; meaning the energy generated with renewable resources is as much energy as the homeowners would use on a net annual basis. Three homes are expected to be completed in the spring with two more this fall.