Started joint research on next-generation agricultural solar power generation with Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology - Introduced power generation equipment that automatically tracks sunlight. Evaluating growth and yield by reducing interference with sunlight irradiation on farmland below power generation equipment

In June of this year, we began testing a next-generation agricultural solar power generation system that balances agriculture and renewable energy generation in a field (paddy field) in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture.
In this demonstration, we introduced a mount that automatically tracks sunlight (hereinafter referred to as a solar tracking mount) and a double-sided solar panel (hereinafter referred to as a double-sided module). This solar tracking mount automatically adjusts the direction of the double-sided module during the farming season so that sunlight can be given priority to the crops grown under the panel. This helps maintain and improve the yield and quality of agricultural crops.
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, which has a proven track record in rice research, and our company will quantitatively evaluate the effects of the growing environment, such as solar radiation and temperature (integrated) during the growing season, on the growth and yield of the rice grown on this demonstration farmland. To do. In addition, after harvesting, we conduct a third-party evaluation of quality, taste, etc. We will also research ways to prevent high-temperature ripening failure*2 under the scorching sun due to global warming.

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology cultivates more than 200 varieties of rice at its 2-ha affiliated paddy farm in Fuchu City, Tokyo, and has developed rice varieties that are resistant to lodging even in large typhoons, as well as varieties that have good taste, high yield, and high biomass production. We have a track record of research on development and environmental stress resistance. By utilizing this research experience in this demonstration, we aim not only to achieve both rice cultivation and power generation under agricultural solar power generation systems, but also to cultivate rice with higher quality and higher yields.