#Japan #AEON Mall #Solar Carport #Yamato-Koriyama #Sun Trinity

Major Solar Power Development at Aeon Mall Yamato-Koriyama

On October 17, 2025, Sun Trinity Co., Ltd. marked a significant milestone in Japan's renewable energy landscape by commencing operations at the largest solar carport in the country, located at Aeon Mall Yamato-Koriyama in Nara Prefecture. This groundbreaking project boasts a capacity of approximately 3.1MW and is designed to cover about 20% of the mall's annual energy consumption with CO2-free renewable energy.

Sun Trinity, established with investments from Sumitomo Corporation and Shikoku Electric Power Company, focuses on developing and managing solar energy projects across Japan. This initiative aligns with the agreement announced in January 2024 between Sun Trinity and Aeon Mall Co., Ltd., aiming for a comprehensive solar carport and on-site solar PPA (Power Purchase Agreement).

Understanding On-site PPA

An on-site power purchase agreement enables energy consumers, like Aeon Mall Yamato-Koriyama, to source electricity from generation facilities installed on their property without incurring capital investment. This unique arrangement facilitates the use of renewable energy while minimizing environmental impacts and stabilizing electricity costs.

The solar carport represents an innovative solution for Japan, where land for deploying renewable energy solutions is limited. This project serves as a leading example of the effectiveness of solar carports, providing dual benefits: the utilization of otherwise underused land while reinforcing sustainability.

Expansion of Solar Installations

Following the activation of the solar carport at Aeon Mall Yamato-Koriyama, another solar carport of approximately 1.9MW went live at Aeon Mall Toki in Gifu Prefecture in August 2025. Together with the existing rooftop solar installations totaling about 2.8MW, this facility offers a cumulative capacity close to 4.7MW, making it one of the largest in Japan and supplying about 40% of its annual energy needs with renewable sources.

Additional installations at various Aeon Mall locations are also on the horizon. By January 2025, solar carports of 0.3MW at Aeon Mall Kobe Kita and 1.1MW at Aeon Mall Wakayama will be introduced. The anticipated total capacity across seven stores for the year is approximately 10MW, with plans for over 50MW soon, making it a globally unparalleled project in terms of scale.

Innovative Design and Safety Features

The solar carport has been designed to meet stringent building code requirements while ensuring safety and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. By strategically reducing the number of columns through innovative structural calculations, the design minimizes interference for parking vehicles. Furthermore, this carport has achieved fire safety certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, enabling it to facilitate the installation of dual-panel solar power systems even in areas with strict fire safety regulations.

Custom-designed features also distinguish this solar carport from others; unlike most structures that risk leaks, this carport integrates a patented rainwater drainage system, preventing leaks during rain while also hiding unsightly wiring for a neater aesthetic.

Commitment to Sustainability

In a statement, Shunki Kashihara, president of Sun Trinity, expressed pride in launching this significant project: "We are thrilled to put into operation Japan’s largest solar carport. This initiative makes effective use of land traditionally not utilized for solar energy, enhancing sustainability for our clients and creating a model for consumer convenience. As land for renewable energy development is scarce in Japan, we are accelerating efforts to expand these projects to more regions and facilities."

About Sun Trinity

Sun Trinity aims to deliver optimal renewable energy solutions and environmental benefits to consumers, leveraging extensive expertise in power systems from its parent companies, Sumitomo Corporation and Shikoku Electric Power Company. The company aspires to achieve over 1 gigawatt of capacity development by 2030 through its ongoing solar energy initiatives.

For further inquiries, please contact:
Sun Trinity Co., Ltd. Public Relations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03-6824-4938