Tokyu Land Corporation and Shizen Energy Inc. have launched a new joint venture,ReENE Shizen Farm LLC, to promote agrivoltaic solar power projects that integrate renewable energy generation with agricultural land use. The initiative aims to tackle pressing issues in Japan’s farming sector—such as an aging workforce and rising operational costs—while contributing to carbon neutrality through a locally sourced energy model. Over the next two years, the new company targets the development of 10 megawatts of solar capacity.

The first project under this initiative will be implemented at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in Hokkaido. A 708.48 kW vertical solar power plant—Japan’s largest of its kind—is being installed on university land as part of a joint research effort. Designed in collaboration with JA Obihiro Kawanishi, the system allows for both farming and solar energy production to take place on the same site with minimal interference.

Vertical solar panels, installed upright rather than tilted, offer unique benefits for agricultural environments. They take up less ground space, preserve access for farm machinery, and allow crops to receive adequate sunlight and airflow. Additionally, east-west panel orientation enables power generation to peak during morning and evening hours, aligning more closely with typical energy usage. In snowy regions like Hokkaido, vertical setups also benefit from increased energy capture through ground-level reflection.

This agrivoltaic model supports more than just sustainable power—it fosters a system of local energy production and consumption that strengthens regional resilience. Electricity generated from the farmland will be supplied directly to local users, reducing reliance on external grids and reinforcing energy self-sufficiency. Through this new company, Tokyu Land and Shizen Energy plan to expand agrivoltaic adoption as a scalable solution for regional revitalization, low-carbon development, and sustainable agriculture in Japan.