Solar Frontier has begun construction of a megasolar plant that uses mountings made from lumber, an unusual occurrence in Japan. The plant is scheduled to begin generating power in May 2015.
The project in the Yatsushiro region of Kumamoto Prefecture is being undertaken by SF Solar Power. The plant will leverage knowhow about wooden mountings from Xyence. The wooden mountings, made of Japanese timber, will comprise about 20% of all the mountings at the power plant facility.
High resistance to salt air damage and low thermal conductivity were important factors in choosing wooden mountings for this project. These characteristics will result in less damage from salt air in coastal areas and the effects of snow melting agents. The wooden mountings also offer better resistance to the effects of heat under strong sun conditions. In addition, once the domestically sourced lumber has been dismantled at the end of its life, it can be used to power woody biomass power plants, thereby reducing the project’s environmental impact.
By leveraging its CIS thin-film solar modules and construction techniques, Solar Frontier will continue to build sustainable and environmentally friendly solar power plants.