Solar street lights and other street light solutions using advanced solar technology

As the solar powered products are used more and more widely, the solar power industry began to attract great amount of investment. Sojitz Corporation and Sojitz Corporation of America have entered the US solar photovoltaic market with an investment in Solar Power Partners, Inc., which produce great amount of solar products, like solar street lights, solar water heater and so on.

In the United States, state Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) promote growth in the production of renewable energy such as solar and wind. The RPS mechanism generally places an obligation on utilities to produce a specified fraction of their electricity from renewable generation. RPS has been adopted in 29 states and Washington D.C. to date and will boost the demands of utilities for solar PV.

In collaboration with SPP, Sojitz plans to develop mid to large scale solar power IPP projects for utilities and also plan to bring strategic solar power IPP investment opportunities to Japanese utilities.

Sojitz has initiated its environmental and new energy efforts under a medium-term management plan called “Shine 2011.” In the solar PV area, Sojitz’ involvement spans the entire length of the value chain from material and module supply to the solar PV development business. In Asia, Sojitz has already invested in a Korean system integrator.

SPP owns, manages, and operates over 50 solar energy systems totaling approximately 23 MW. SPP performs site analysis, comprehensive system design, long-term operations and maintenance, and financing through solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).

In the US market, Sojitz is investing in solar PV projects through its strategic investment with SPP and aims to achieve a total of 100 MW solar PV projects investment by 2015. As the solar PV is one of the most important components in the solar street lights, these investments will greatly speed up the development of solar street lighting industry in the coming future.