Kaneka Signs On-site PPA with Numata Town, Hokkaido to Deploy Vertical Bifacial Solar Panels
November 18, 2025
On November 6, Kaneka announced that it had signed an on-site power purchase agreement (PPA) with Numata Town in Hokkaido in October to install a vertically mounted bifacial solar power system in a snowy region. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026.
The project involves installing solar power generation equipment and battery storage systems at the town-owned Horoshin Onsen facility. The electricity generated will be consumed entirely by Horoshin Onsen. The solar installation will have a capacity of 280 kW, with an expected annual output of 305 MWh. Two storage batteries—each with 5 kW of output and 15 kWh of capacity—will be installed, bringing the total to 10 kW of output and 30 kWh of storage capacity.
The vertical installation of solar panels ensures stable energy production by minimizing output degradation and reducing the risk of equipment damage from snowfall. The bifacial panels, procured by Kaneka after technical verification, will be installed facing east-west. Kaneka also stated that, upon request from Numata Town, the possibility of agricultural solar sharing could be considered.
The system will serve as a microgrid in emergencies—such as power outages caused by natural disasters—and will function as an evacuation site for local residents. It is expected to provide power for lighting at Horoshin Onsen, operate office equipment, and charge mobile phones, with the ability to supply continuous electricity as long as weather permits.
The project will utilize the “Subsidy Program for Supporting the Introduction of New Energy Equipment” from the Hokkaido Prefectural Government. Through this initiative, Kaneka aims to establish an on-site PPA model suitable for snowy regions and, by scaling this model, contribute to decarbonization and disaster preparedness across such areas.
