Creating a Decarbonized
Society with Renewable Energy

―　Tell us a little about your current work.

I design new production lines for solar cells*1 and modules*2 and manage existing production lines. I pursue efficient, highly productive manufacturing lines by analyzing manufacturing processes and work content to refine and improve problems. I’m currently involved in optimizing personnel and material flow lines by checking equipment positions and passages to revise production spaces and rebuild production lines.

I also participate in the IT Promotion Committee composed of members from all sections of the Smart Energy Production Division (“SE Production Division”) and work to solve problems using digital technologies, such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to improve operating efficiency and implement automation solutions for routine work. For example, tasks that had to be handled by going to the manufacturing site, such as repairing the production line program, can now be managed remotely quickly and efficiently by connecting production equipment to a network. We can also monitor the equipment’s operating rate and the number of goods produced.

*1: The smallest unit size for a solar panel
*2: Single-panel units combining cells

― What are some of the sustainability goals the SE Production Division is working toward?

Kyocera is working to realize a decarbonized society using technical know-how developed over our approximately 50 year-long history in the solar business.

More recently, in July 2020, Kyocera began a proof-of-concept test for a renewable energy self-wheeling*3 system using storage batteries. This test supplies renewable energy generated by a Kyocera-produced solar power system installed on city land (2,000 m2) in Yasu, Shiga, to Kyocera’s own Shiga Yasu Plant about 2 km away via the Kansai Electric Power Company’s distribution network.

Society uses various sources to generate electric power, like thermal and nuclear power. However, currently, Japan is carrying forward with a policy to make renewable energy the country’s primary power source. Through this test, Kyocera is contributing to building a stable, suitable structure for energy supply and demand and making efforts toward developing a stable, sustainable smart city and microgrid in cooperation with local communities.

*3: A system in which electric power generated by a company at its own premises is supplied to its other premises using a power grid operated by a public utility

― What made you interested in sustainability and the global environment?

I started camping at the suggestion of my senior at work. However, while camping, I frequently see trash that has been left behind or that has floated ashore the rocky embankments and beaches along Lake Biwa in Siga Prefecture, Japan, where I often visit. In recent years, I’ve learned through the news about the effects of ocean waste, particularly microplastics, on sea creatures and the environment, and I started thinking about whether we can create a win-win relationship between marine life, humans, and the Earth.

This sort of thing inspired me not just to pick up trash I see on the lakeshore but also to learn as much as possible about how not to create garbage, such as by bringing reusable chopsticks or cutting ingredients at home when I go camping.

In everyday life, I also bring a water bottle to work to try not to create plastic bottle trash. I also deliberately began carrying a reusable shopping bag. Choosing a handmade or stylish bag for its design or function is fun, too. Of course, these are all small steps, but I feel anyone can contribute to sustainability if they try.

― Please tell us about your goals and dreams regarding the SE Production Division’s and your own subsequent sustainability activities.

Many people understand that realizing a decarbonized society is necessary to protect the global environment. However, looking at the current adoption rate of solar panels to residences, I think people are still hesitant to take action themselves. Kyocera’s product are highly reliability and offer long service life, but even if the products are good, it isn’t very meaningful if people won’t use them. I can help resolve this issue by reducing production costs with labor-saving and efficient production lines. My goal is to create a society where people around the world can have access to safe, stable, and cheap renewable energy.