Solar Frontier and Chopro announced today that they have signed a letter of agreement with the Nagasaki Prefectural Government and the Land Development Public Corporation of Nagasaki Prefecture for a 29 MW PV power plant on land adjoining Nagasaki Airport, Japan. The agreement, regarding the construction and operation of the solar power plant, was signed on March 31, 2014. The upcoming PV project will be the largest in Nagasaki Prefecture and one of the largest in Japan.

“Our Nagasaki project integrates the economical advantages of Solar Frontier’s CIS solar energy system solutions, from supplying high-performance CIS modules through to Operation & Maintenance, with Chopro’s expertise as an energy supplier local to Nagasaki,” said Hiroto Tamai, President and Representative Director of Solar Frontier. “Together with leading regional companies like Chopro, we will continue to meet the high demand for solar projects that offer competitive and reliable returns on investment.”

After the Kansai International Airport Megasolar Power Plant, this will be the second large-scale installation at an airport that leverages Solar Frontier’s CIS thin-film technology. Compared to crystalline silicon modules, Solar Frontier’s CIS modules have a higher electricity yield (kWh/kWp) in real operating conditions, while their anti-glare properties ensure they don’t affect aircraft operations.

“Our joint project is built on a history of trust with Solar Frontier. We now look forward to working on one of the world’s largest installations at an airport – at home in Nagasaki – and to contributing to the region’s economic growth and renewable energy initiative,” said Kenji Araki, Representative Director of Chopro. Chopro is a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distributor and more recently a solar power producer headquartered in Nagasaki Prefecture.

The Nagasaki Prefectural Government announced its partner selection on December 27, 2013, as part of its solar and renewable energy initiative, the “Nagasaki Green New Deal.” In addition to working with local companies, a pre-determined percentage of proceeds from this project will also go to Nagasaki Prefecture to support its economic growth.

Solar Frontier continues to work with leading regional companies in Japan and around the world, harnessing the economic advantages of its CIS thin-film technology and comprehensive system services to provide and safeguard competitive returns on PV project investments.

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