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First Heliatek OPV project in Japan - Ritsumeikan University bus stop

2nd of November 2020

Late 2019, Heliatek was announced as one of three winners of the “Japan Energy Challenge 2019”, a competition hosted by Japanese SMAP Energy who drives to identify key technologies for the energy transition of Japan. Now, one year later, Heliatek has realized its first project in Japan in cooperation with Looop Inc. and Ritsumeikan University. The installation was realized on a bus stop of the Biwako-Kusatsu Campus of the University in the Shiga Prefecture (near Kyōto). HeliaSol® (prototype) solar films were glued on flat and round shaped metal substructures, which were then mounted on the rooftop of the bus stop.

Takahito Nishimura, Assistant Professor of the Ritsumeikan-Global Innovation Research Organization: “Solar modules using thin-film are superior design to conventional solar panels based on silicon in terms of lightweight, flexibility and therefore can be installed on buildings with load limitations or walls with curved shape. This outdoor experiment will reveal how a curved installation of the flexible organic solar films will affect the amount of electricity generated and how to maximize it.”

Guido van Tartwijk, CEO of Heliatek: “We are very proud to finally realize first projects with our organic solar films in Japan. We see a huge potential for our innovative solar films in Japan. Due to land restrictions and the high degree of urbanization, Japan has to look for new ways to generate clean and sustainable energy. Our films are lightweight, flexible and truly green – making them a perfect fit for these challenges. The Japan Energy Challenge 2019 enabled us to get access to a network of valuable partners that now help us bringing our new technology to Japan. We are excited about the various opportunities in Japan and thank all our partners and supporters to help us on that way.”

 

About Looop Inc.: Looop Inc. is a Japanese company helping to drive renewable energies in Japan. The company operates a low-voltage power retail business ‘Looop Denki’ with about 250,000 users and is offering new services to attract smart energy consumers. 

Learn more here (in Japanese only): https://looop.co.jp/

About Ritsumeikan University: Ritsumeikan University, one of the leading universities in Japan, was founded in 1900 as a private academy on the site of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Today, Ritsumeikan University has more than 35,000 students and offers a wide range of courses in advanced studies at its three main campuses.

Learn more here: http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/