Project Spotlight | Japan PV Practice: Grace Solar Supports Ibaraki's Green Upgrade

In Ibaraki Prefecture, on Japan's Kanto Plain, a ground-mounted PV plant using Grace Solar's aluminum alloy mounting system has been operating steadily. Since grid connection, it has continuously supplied clean electricity to the local grid, providing stable support for Ibaraki's low-carbon energy transition.

Lightweight Solution for Soft Ground

Ibaraki lies in the heart of the Kanto Plain—flat and open—yet some areas feature high groundwater levels and extensive soft soil layers. Grace Solar's aluminum mounts use an elevated foundation design with moisture-proof joint treatment, lifting critical connection points above the damp surface layer to prevent long-term moisture corrosion of metal components. Meanwhile, the lightweight aluminum structure reduces foundation load-bearing requirements and minimizes deep excavation and backfill, enabling rapid and stable installation on soft ground.

The Test of Sea Breeze and Salt Spray

Bordering the Pacific to the east, Ibaraki experiences frequent typhoons in summer and autumn, with coastal areas exposed year-round to sea breezes and salt spray. Grace Solar's aluminum mounts are made from high-weatherability aluminum materials with specialized anodized surface treatment, maintaining stable corrosion resistance in long-term salt-spray environments. Structural design is optimized through dynamic wind load simulations, with key connections featuring integrated anti-loosening and anti-rust processes, ensuring stable operation under strong winds and humid conditions.

From Pre-Assembly to Rapid Delivery

The rainy season on the plains arrives with intensity and persistence, leaving a very limited on-site construction window. Grace Solar adopted a modular pre-assembly approach, shifting much of the processing to the factory so that only sequential assembly is required on site. Meanwhile, the local Japanese engineering team was involved throughout—from preliminary geological surveys to final mount installation—all executed in accordance with local building codes, keeping the entire delivery process orderly and controllable within the planned timeframe.

From material selection to structural adaptation, Grace Solar's aluminum mounts have proven their "light yet stable" reliability under the Kanto Plain's hydrological and climatic conditions. The value of this solution extends beyond Ibaraki—many plains and coastal regions across Japan face similar climates, and aluminum's characteristics align with local requirements for land restoration and a circular society. Beyond a steadily operating PV plant, what's more valuable is this replicable, scalable practical experience.