Kyocera Solar Corporation and The Trans Value Trust Company, Ltd., are teaming up with researchers from Ryukoku University to overlook a massive solar plant project in Japan.

According to one of the latest press releases about the project, “the 1.85-megawatt solar project will sell the electricity generated under Japan's generous feed-in tariff (FIT) and donate the profits to local communities, creating a model that provides funds to solve social problems while promoting the spread of renewable energy.”

Ryukoku University was chosen because the college had already begun to research in the area of solar power, and “developed the socially responsible investment (SRI (News - Alert)) project to create the first-ever model of its kind in Japan by combining the resources and know-how of the parties involved.”

 Ever since the Great East Earthquake, Japan has been looking more and more toward renewable energy sources to fuel its needs. Kyocera (News - Alert) answered the call to supply the solar modules and services for the project.

The breakdown the project is outlined as follows: “funds invested by Ryukoku University and Trans Value will operate the mega-solar power generation project (combined total of 1.85MW) at the Ryukoku University Fukakusa Campus (Kyoto City) and on land owned by the municipality in Inami Town, with the power generated to be sold to the regional utility company under the terms of the FIT program. The solar power installation will use 7,500 of Kyocera's high output multicrystalline silicon solar modules.”

If the project succeeds, Japan will enjoy a massive solar energy farm that can help the country avoid having to import expensive oils and other non-renewable resources. Indeed, this is exactly what the small island nation needs as it is surrounded by water and will be one of the first places to be adversely affected by a rapidly warming global climate.