Fuji Electric Tests Light-Weight PV System for Plastic Greenhouses

Fuji Electric Co., a major Japanese electronics manufacturer, announced on August 23, 2011, that it started field-testing a photovoltaic (PV) system for plastic greenhouses. The tests, jointly conducted with Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA Zen-Noh), will aim to examine the system's power output, effects on crop growth, and weather resistance.

The PV system features lightweight, flexible film solar cells, which can be installed on non-reinforced structures. When affixed to the sloping sections of plastic greenhouse roofs, they can help power air circulation fans and other devices.

The field tests will be carried out at three locations. In Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, crop growth and power generation will be the main focus of the test. In Kumamoto City and Uki City in Kumamoto Prefecture, the company will run simulations on PV power sell-back to the power company and test operate environmental devices, in addition to tracking crop growth and power generation.

Fuji Electric's PV system for plastic greenhouses was selected by Kumamoto Prefecture for its fiscal 2011 pilot project to promote solar power applications in agriculture. Following the field tests, Fuji Electric plans to market the system in 2012.

Fuel Cell Being Tested for World's First Application in Agriculture (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/025988.html

Posted: 2012/01/06 06:00:15 AM