I started working with photovoltaic power generation close to 40 years ago, in 1980. I had started to work for Kyocera (previously Kyoto Ceramic), and the president at the time, Kazuo Inamori told me to become a “missionary of solar energy”, starting the ball rolling. Since then, I have been working on the technological and usage development of photovoltaic power generation. And in 2007, I established Smart Solar. Several hundred systems have been developed/installed, including the research and development of raw materials for solar cells to photovoltaic power generation systems, nationwide battery systems for schools, residential battery systems, development of solar battery panels integrated into sound insulating walls as well as the development of systems integrated into residential roofs.
At this time, with the large earthquake and the accident at the nuclear power plant in north-eastern Japan as a catalyst, I envisioned “The stable supply of electricity through photovoltaic power generation”. Building mega solar power plants across the nation and from this development, promoted EPC businesses, O&M businesses and electrical power sales businesses. The biggest weakness of photovoltaic power generation is “variations in solar insolation due to cloud cover” and the “inability to generate electricity at night”. However, these problems can be overcome. Our company has developed a low-cost battery equipped photovoltaic power generation system which has been installed in private residences, public industrial use facilities as well as battery systems for mega solar power generation.
Henceforth, through cost reduction as well as system research and development, we will strive to disseminate and expand photovoltaic power generation as the core electrical power. Houses becoming net zero energy and new homes being built as ZEHs (zero energy houses) will probably become the standard.
Specifically, the residential field. Already, 2.3 million homes throughout the country have photovoltaic power generation systems installed with 100 to 150 thousand homes installing photovoltaic power generators annually. For this, we will develop low cost battery systems and provide innovative systems such as HEMSs, optimal electrical supply administration, disaster resistant uninterruptable power system, electrical power platform service, and block chain technology.
Next is the public and industrial use field. As a solution to global warming, the reduction of CO2 and moving away from fossil fuels is an urgent issue for mankind. Self-consumption model rooftop photovoltaic power generation systems on public and industrial use facilities are spreading rapidly. We have already cut costs for electricity at facilities by developing mid-level battery equipped photovoltaic power generation systems as well as demand control for peak electrical consumption reduction and independent operating systems for use during disasters.
Every facility with battery equipped photovoltaic power generation systems will evolve into “smart cities” with energy which is locally produced for local consumption, where surplus energy can be shared among each facility.
We will promote this and contribute to the creation of a new way of living.