Monuments” that generate clean energy

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation

(Tokyo headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Hidefumi Araki), a “membrane manufacturer” that develops large tents, TM trusses, solar power generation systems, and other products, has realized a “monument” that generates clean energy by using special processing technology to depict realistic photo images on see-through solar cells. (Tokyo Head Office: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka Head Office: Yodogo-ku, Osaka; President: Hidefumi Araki) has realized a “monument” that generates clean energy by depicting realistic photographic images on see-through solar cells using special processing technology.

The “Monument” completed at the end of March this year in the Kanagawa Prefectural Government Building (Energy Center Building) is a “monument” that generates clean energy by depicting famous landmarks around the Kanagawa Prefectural Government Building on thin-film solar panels (see-through solar panels) that allow light to pass through.
See-through solar panels maintain transparency by irradiating a laser beam onto thin-film solar cells, which do not transmit light, and partially removing the thin-film solar cells.　The laser beam irradiated during processing can be freely controlled with our proprietary technology, enabling the depiction of designs as desired within the see-through solar cell panel, including not only patterns and illustrations, but also complex shading of photographs and other images.
The newly completed “monument” is a steel-framed structure measuring 5m x 5.1m in length and width and 3.76m in height, with a total of 16 see-through solar panels (length and width: 1200mm x 998mm), four each on the four sides (east, west, south, and north), for a maximum output of approximately 1.36kW.　The design of the panels on the east-west, north-south, and south-east sides of the building is based on a black-and-white photographic reproduction of scenes of famous landmarks in each direction, with the Kanagawa Prefectural Government at the center.　In addition, while the past achievements have mainly been based on illustrations with drawing processing, this is a unique and advanced achievement based on a photograph with realistic depiction processing.　The completed “monument” appeals to the landscape of Yokohama and impresses upon the visitors the stance of Kanagawa Prefecture in its efforts to generate electricity and accelerate the introduction of renewable energy.

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation was the first in the world to commercialize see-through solar panels, and began selling them in 1996. In addition to the power generation function of conventional solar panels, the see-through solar panels transmit high-quality light and have been used in approximately 200 projects, mainly in various public facilities and large commercial facilities.
With the addition of the ability to depict designs and photographs, we expect to see greater expectations for the transmission of information that takes advantage of design features. By giving shape to these needs, we hope to contribute to the enrichment of people’s lives.

• Construction name: Installation of thin-film photovoltaic power generation equipment in new government building
• Location: 3F, Energy Center Building, New City Hall
• Application: Monument
• Design: Facility Development Division, Property Management Department, Kanagawa Prefectural Bureau of General Affairs
• Construction: TS Corporation
• Completion: End of March 2018

• Category: Thin-film multi-junction silicon solar cells
• Size: 1200 mm x 998 mm (thickness: 10.5 mm)
• Weight: 30 kg
• Nominal maximum output: 85W