Kyocera Starts Operation of 230kW Solar Power Generating System at its Manufacturing Plant in Fukushima

With power supply shortages expected during the summer months due to the effects of the March 11 earthquake, the Japanese government has placed restrictions on electricity use to require high-volume users in the Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. and Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. service areas to reduce electricity consumption by 15% compared to last year. In response, Kyocera revised its installation schedule to prioritize this facility in order to achieve concrete energy conservation goals. This further increase gives the plant a total of 230kW in total — which at peak performance, will cover 8.2% of the facilities energy use, allowing it to reduce its consumption of grid-provided electricity. In combination with the solar energy produced, the facility expects to be able to achieve its 15% energy-reduction target by undertaking various measures such as using power generators, setting air-conditioning to 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 F), turning off unnecessary lighting, and setting all office computers to low-power mode.

With this recent addition, 26 locations in the Kyocera Group’s global network are solar power-equipped with a total of over 2.2MW. Kyocera will continue to proactively introduce solar power at its Group facilities and strive to reduce energy consumption, as well as promote renewable energy use with the goal of contributing to environmental preservation.

Energy Conservation Efforts at Other Affected Group Locations

Including the Tanagura Plant, the Kyocera Group has a total of 8 facilities within the Tokyo Electric Power Company and Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. service areas which will be affected by the power consumption regulations. Recently, the company also installed a 130kW system at Kyocera Elco Corporation’s new headquarters and a 58kW solar power generating system at its Yokohama Sales Office, and plans to implement energy reduction targets of over 15% at all of the 8 locations by instituting energy conservation measures targeting air conditioner use, stand-by equipment, and lighting.