MOAI Launches Demonstration of Semi-Reflective Vertical Solar Farm in Shiga’s Tea Fields

MOAI, a company specializing in agricultural solar power generation (solar sharing), announced the launch of a demonstration project for a semi-reflective vertical solar farm within a tea plantation in Kōka City, Shiga Prefecture. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Green Tea Tsuchiyama Agricultural Cooperative.

The initiative integrates vertically installed bifacial solar panels with proprietary semi-reflective films. These films are designed to regulate the amount of sunlight reaching the farmland while maximizing power generation from reflected light. This setup achieves an ideal balance of “moderate light exposure and shading,” which is essential for cultivating high-quality tea.

The demonstration site covers an area of 1,300 square meters, with 400 square meters equipped with eight solar panels, each with an output of 720W, for a total capacity of 5.76kW. The panels are installed in an east-west orientation. The semi-reflective film allows approximately 20% of visible light to pass through while reflecting around 80% of green and yellow light. Initial results indicate that the new system increases power generation by approximately 20% compared to previous setups.

Beyond monitoring harvest yields, the demonstration will also evaluate the performance of different film types and their effects on tea quality. The trial period is set for one year.

MOAI has already decided to commercialize the system and plans to introduce it to a 2-hectare tea plantation. The company is also in discussions with Daiwa Lease Co., Ltd. for a potential joint development of solar sharing projects. Looking ahead, MOAI intends to incorporate sensor technology, meteorological data, and AI-driven cultivation support to enhance operational efficiency and optimize production outcomes.