The site at Nanatsujima formerly consisted of seven islands, but decades ago a large, flat platform was reclaimed from the sea for industrial use.

At the time of commissioning, it was the largest solar plant in Japan, and the first in the country with a capacity over 50 MW.

[2] The station also has a public tour facility called the Kagoshima Nanatsujima Solar Science Museum.

[2] The impact of volcanic ash, from nearby Sakurajima, on the plant's generating capacity has been a point of concern.

Five lorries with high-pressure cleaning equipment are kept at the power station so that volcanic ash can be washed off the solar panels.