History and Current Status of Hachinohe Mega Solar Power Facilities (2011-2024)

History and Current Status of Hachinohe Mega Solar Power Facilities (2011-2024)

The mega solar power generation facility located in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, was put into operation in December 2011 by Tohoku Electric Power Co. The facility was built on the site of a thermal power plant in Hachinohe and started with an output of 150 kilowatts. Initially, the 10,000 solar panels used a combination of three types of modules, mainly polycrystalline silicon, thin-film silicon, and compound, to generate approximately 10,000 kilowatt-hours per year. This power was enough to meet the consumption needs of approximately 300 households, while at the same time reducing 180 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.

Subsequently, the facility was upgraded to meet the growing demand for renewable energy and technological advances. 2020s saw the introduction of the latest high-efficiency solar modules, using thin-film compounds and new silicon-based materials in addition to polycrystalline silicon. This improved power generation efficiency and increased annual power production to approximately 2,000,000 kilowatt-hours. This power supply is equivalent to that of approximately 600 households.

In addition, Tohoku Electric Power is constructing two more new mega-solar power generation facilities in order to stabilize the energy supply for the entire region, including Hachinohe City. As a result, the total output of mega solar power generation in the city is planned to increase to more than 10,000 kilowatts.

In addition, the city is also focusing on biomass power generation using local resources, and is currently studying the feasibility of biofuel power generation using local agricultural waste and forestry residues. Furthermore, in cooperation with neighboring municipalities, Hachinohe is also promoting the installation of wind power generation facilities. These efforts are playing an important role in establishing a sustainable energy supply model for Hachinohe City.

In addition to Tohoku Electric Power, local companies and municipalities are involved in this project in Hachinohe, as well as major companies such as Asahi Kasei and Sumitomo Chemical, which supply materials. In this way, Hachinohe is strengthening its position as an advanced renewable energy region that is attracting attention from within and outside the region. Hachinohe's efforts to build a model for a sustainable energy society through technological innovation and regional cooperation are expected to develop further in the future.