Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic module maker First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA has started construction of a solar project in Kitakyushu-shi, Japan. Generation capacity will be 1.4MWDC, and operation will start in first-quarter 2014. The project is described as providing clean and safe solar power to Japan, mitigating idle nuclear energy.

“This project illustrates First Solar’s capability to develop and build solar power plants in Japan,” says chief commercial officer Joseph Kishkill, adding that it marks the beginning of the firm’s long-term strategic investment in Japan.

First Solar notes that more than 100 million of its modules (which integrate Japanese technology) have been installed worldwide. Tokyo-based Nippon Sheet Glass Co Ltd (NSG Group) supplies the glass with a proprietary electrical film tuned to First Solar’s CdTe thin-film modules.

First Solar holds 100% equity in the project. Global construction contractors Obayashi Corp (based in Tokyo) and Yaskawa Electric Corp (based in Kitakyushu) will construct the project.