In many respects, Takeshi Magami’s farm is like any other in Japan, growing everything from potatoes to ginger and eggplants. But one major difference sets it apart from its neighbors: the 2,826 solar panels perched above the crops.
The panels, covering much of the one hectare (2.5 acres) of land in the tranquil countryside in Chiba Prefecture, serve a dual purpose. They supply nearly all the power needed to run the farm, and are a source of extra income by selling surplus renewable energy to the grid.
For Magami that can mean ¥24 million ($187,000) of additional revenue a year, eight times more than the maximum ¥3 million generated from his produce. While he benefits from generous tariffs that have since been reduced, it's an indication of the added value available to farms in Japan and globally.
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