Kyocera modules power 24-kW solar canopy at Toyota's Mexican factory

Jun 24, 2013 - Kyocera Solar Inc, a US-based unit of Japan's Kyocera (TYO:6971), said on Friday that its solar modules were powering a 24-kW solar carport systems at the plant of Japanese carmaker Toyota (TYO:7203) in Tijuana, Mexico.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Baja California (TMMBC) dedicated the facility on Friday.

The carport photovoltaic (PV) canopy was installed on part of the factory's parking lot. The system, designed and built by Todo Solar MX, is estimated to generate up to 121 kWh of power daily. Its output is enough to supply about 15 local households a day and mitigate over 28 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually. In addition to the Kyocera modules, the PV facility also includes one inverter made by SMA.

Kyocera and Toyota have already partnered on the development of solar power projects. Back in 2008, Kyocera installed a 2-MW PV plant at the carmaker's Tsutsumi plant in Japan's Aichi prefecture. In addition, its solar cells are incorporated into a solar-powered ventilation device on some of Toyota's hybrid cars.

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