JTEKT Corporation, a global leader in automotive and industrial components and a core member of the Toyota Group, announced today the official commissioning of a 2 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar carport at its facility in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.
The project, delivered under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with renewable energy specialist Peak Energy, is set to cut the company’s electricity costs by nearly 40% compared to grid power procurement, while advancing its decarbonization and operational efficiency goals.
Under the terms of the long-term PPA, Peak Energy took full responsibility for the solar carport’s design, financing, and installation. The company will also provide comprehensive operations and maintenance (O&M) services throughout the 20-year contract period, ensuring the system operates at optimal efficiency. All electricity generated by the solar carport will be consumed on-site at JTEKT’s Kagawa facility, supporting the company’s broader objectives of enhancing energy cost visibility, boosting operational efficiency, and progressing toward long-term decarbonization targets.
Spanning 640 parking spaces, the solar carport was completed in just five months, demonstrating efficient project execution amid the operational demands of an active industrial site. The system is projected to generate approximately 2,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity annually, which will help avoid around 1,090 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions each year—equivalent to removing roughly 230 cars from the road annually.
The commissioning comes at a critical time for Japan’s export-oriented manufacturers, many of which are seeking renewable energy solutions that can be deployed within limited land availability and strict operational constraints. Solar carports, built above existing parking areas, offer a dual benefit: they enable on-site energy generation without the need to acquire additional land, while also providing shade and weather protection for vehicles, enhancing day-to-day operational functionality.
Unlike standard rooftop or ground-mounted solar installations, solar carport systems require a higher level of engineering and construction expertise. These projects closely resemble large-scale infrastructure upgrades, as they demand specialized structural design, advanced safety planning, and careful installation sequencing to avoid interruptions to ongoing industrial operations. The successful delivery of JTEKT’s Kagawa solar carport underscores Peak Energy’s deep technical experience and proven track record in industrial renewable energy deployments across the region.
Mr. Yoshioka, Plant Manager of JTEKT’s Kagawa Plant, emphasized the project’s alignment with the company’s broader sustainability commitments. “JTEKT has set a target to reduce CO₂ emissions by 60% by fiscal year 2030 compared to fiscal year 2013,” he noted. “Our Kagawa Plant has been advancing our ‘CO₂ Zero Challenge!’ initiative through measures such as introducing inverter controls for hydraulic pumps and compressors to optimize energy use on the production floor. We have also installed rooftop solar panels wherever possible, and our partnership with Peak Energy has allowed us to leverage our employee parking area to deploy this state-of-the-art solar carport. JTEKT remains committed to advancing our efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality.”
Gavin Adda, CEO of Peak Energy, highlighted the significance of the collaboration with JTEKT. “JTEKT’s decision to partner with Peak Energy reflects the confidence that major industrial players place in partners capable of delivering projects with strong technical performance and dependable execution,” he stated. “Solar carports require exceptionally high safety standards and precise engineering—there is no room for errors or interruptions to site activities. This commissioning marks the beginning of a promising collaboration in Japan and represents an important milestone in Peak Energy’s long-term commitment to supporting the country’s industrial sector in its decarbonization journey.”
About JTEKT Corporation: As a core member of the Toyota Group and a global producer of automotive and industrial components, JTEKT is committed to advancing sustainability through its “Environmental Challenge 2050” initiative, with a focus on carbon neutrality, circular economy, and nature positivity. The company has set a target to achieve carbon neutrality for its own production activities (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035 and continues to implement energy-saving measures and renewable energy projects across its facilities worldwide.
