OSAKA – Osaka Gas Co. said Thursday it will build three large-scale solar cell-based power plants, in Osaka, Wakayama and Okayama prefectures, with an eye to starting generation by next March.
The combined output capacity of the plants will come to 3.5 megawatts, which is equivalent to the combined consumption of 915 households, Osaka Gas said, adding all the power to be generated will be sold to electric utilities.
The company decided to embark on the solar project to take advantage of the system that comes into effect July 1 obliging electric utilities to purchase all electricity generated from renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, at a fixed price for a period set by the government.
Investments in the three plants will come to ¥1 billion.
Osaka Gas earlier said it is teaming up with Mitsubishi Corp. and Sharp Corp. to build solar power plants in Canada.