Tochigi Plant and Toyohashi Plant have started Photovoltaic power generation

The Tochigi plant and Toyohashi Plant of the Kao group have started Photovoltaic power generation on 1st February, 2019. Solar panels with a power generation capacity of 1500 kW, which will be the highest capacity in the Kao group, have been installed on the roof of two production buildings in Kao's Tochigi plant (Fig.1). Solar panels with 336 kW capacity have been installed on the roof of the administration building and production building in Kao's Toyohashi plant (Fig.2). The total panels of the two plants are expected to generate 1900 MWh/year, which will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 1100 metric tons.

The system received subsidies from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment under a 2018 program to subsidize expenses for companies that take measures to control carbon dioxide emissions. Kao's initiative was selected for the way it makes use of local characteristics to expand the use of renewable energy and for Kao's policy to promote the introduction of renewable energy.

Kao will continuously promote renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout its business activities.