Japan Solar Update: No.213 (Aug 10 ~ 14, 2026)
Shimizu Corporation has launched a 138kW floating PV system utilizing a stormwater retention basin in Yokohama City, Japan, under an off-site PPA scheme. The project demonstrates a new approach to renewable energy deployment by transforming flood control infrastructure into a local clean energy source.
A short video introduction is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vBIAfCCCSXI
<Location> Sakae-ku, Yokohama-City, Japan
<PV System> Capacity : 138kW Power Output : 49.5 kW
<Start Operation> Nov, 2025
<Overview>
Shimizu Corporation commenced operation of a 138kW floating PV (FPV) system utilizing a stormwater retention basin in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, in November 2025. The project was selected though the public offering for the “Off-site PPA project utilizing stormwater retention basins” by Yokohama City, which is designed to promote the expanded deployment of renewable energy and local production for local consumption of electricity. The FPV system, with a total PV module area of 1,197 m², was installed over the Shonan Katsuradai No. 2 Stormwater Retention Basin, which is managed by the City. The system is expected to generate approx. 134,000 kWh of electricity annually and supply it to Yokohama i-Mark Place building in the Minato Mirai 21 district of the City. Electricity retail services for the consumer are provided by Smart Eco Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shimizu Corporation, under a 20year project term.
The system employs a floating mounting structure in which the floats are anchored to the bottom of the retention basin with wire cables to suppress horizontal movement of the PV modules as the water level fluctuates. By selecting a retention basin that normally remains dry except during heavy rainfall, rather than one that is permanently filled with water, installation efficiency was improved, resulting in an approx. 5% reduction in installation costs.
