In July 2016 the project finally obtained Grid Connection Application approval from Kyushu Electric Power for a direct current, high voltage submarine transmission system based on VSC technology from Siemens.
The connection to the grid network of Kyushu Electric Power is at Ainoura substation located in Sasebo-city, Nagasaki Prefecture through the 64 km HVDC submarine cable.
However, due to the application status and ongoing grid connection study by Kyushu Electric it was decided to continue with VSC technology, despite higher construction cost.
As parts of the construction sites are located on agricultural land, PVDP has asked the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg /Southern Germany to simulate the effects of shadowing on growth of biomass and to design an Agri-Photovoltaic system that would both satisfy the requirements of METI for the use of such land and local farmers’ needs.
To cope with challenging topography, proximity to sea and high wind speeds PVDP undertook various simulations to propose a workable design for the solar installations and adjacent high voltage equipment, that were forming the basis for approvals obtained by Kyudenko as designated engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company for the construction of the project.
The project shows the flexibility of photovoltaic installations to adapt to challenging conditions and is an convincing example of the ability to overcome any obstacles if in the interest of all stakeholders.