AEE member company First Solar, America’s largest solar power project developer, announced plans to expand into Japan. First Solar’s move comes as Japan pivots away from nuclear power. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the Japanese solar market is booming. The country is projected to add more solar capacity than any other country this year.

First Solar’s first Japan project, a 1.4 MW (DC) plant in Kitakyushu-shi, follows the precedent of the company’s major American plants, such as the enormous 550 MW Topaz Solar Farm in northern California.

“This project illustrates First Solar’s capability to develop and build solar power plants in Japan,” said Joseph Kishkill, First Solar’s Chief Commercial Officer. "We are honored to begin our long-term strategic investment in Japan with the Kitakyushu-shi project.”