Aizu Electric Power Company (AEPC), a renewable energy company based in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, has completed the construction of nine agrovoltaic (also called ‘solar sharing’ in Japan) plants across the city. These installations were developed by AEPC, which was founded in 2013 by local citizens in response to the nuclear accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. The company was established with the goal of building a safe and sustainable society independent of nuclear power, and this is the first time in ten years it has undertaken an agrivoltaic project.

Agrovoltaic systems require balancing energy production with farming. To allow for agricultural work beneath the panels, the supporting structures are installed higher than usual, and the spacing between them is wide enough to accommodate farming vehicles. Compared to conventional ground-mounted solar panels, this setup increases costs and has historically made it difficult to achieve profitability.

Meanwhile, Kitakata City has set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and has introduced a subsidy program to promote the use of renewable energy. AEPC applied for and was selected to participate in this program, seeing a viable business opportunity under these conditions.

The support structures are spaced 4.5 meters apart, but the panels block some sunlight, reducing the amount reaching the crops by about 30%, despite the higher installation costs. While AEPC reached out to dozens of farmers for collaboration, many were initially hesitant to install the panels. Despite the challenges, the project successfully installed a total of 2,490 solar panels across approximately 2.9 hectares (29,000 square meters) of farmland and unused agricultural land. The variety of crops grown beneath the panels includes autumn buckwheat, rice, rice seedlings, asparagus, potatoes, and edamame beans.

These nine solar power plants are expected to generate enough electricity to cover the annual consumption of about 480 average households, and reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 728 tons per year. In addition, AEPC continues to operate a solar power system on the roof of the Shiokawa Gymnasium in Kitakata. Combined, these sources provide electricity to 53 public facilities across the city, including elementary schools and gymnasiums—meeting about 26% of their total energy needs through renewable power.

The project operates under the “PPA model,” in which power purchase agreements are signed directly between users and the energy provider. Electricity is delivered through Aizu Energy, a related company. This initiative simultaneously promotes effective land use and renewable energy adoption. In addition to income from crop sales, participating farmers receive land rent and maintenance fees from AEPC, contributing to the stability of their farm operations. Looking ahead, there is potential for farmers to independently introduce solar equipment, further advancing sustainable agricultural practices.

Agrovoltaic solar power that harmonizes environmental responsibility with local agriculture—Aizu Electric’s challenge marks a significant step toward building a sustainable regional society.