Kyocera has supplied two more solar-powered recharging stations in Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan which began operation earlier this month. The stations power electric vehicles (EVs) as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs).

In addition, the stations become central hubs for back-up power during emergencies by switching to grid-independent operation, improving access for electric-powered transportation, as well as contributing to the community's overall disaster preparedness infrastructure.

More than 740,000 electric cars were on the road across the world by early 2015, with the U.S., Japan and China among the top markets - and the U.S. leading the world with more than 11,000 recharging stations.

In Japan, the government is aiming to increase the ratio of EVs and PHVs to 15-20% by 2020*4 and is promoting the expansion of charging facilities for next-generation vehicles.

In conjunction with this project, Kyotango City is adding recharging stations at multiple convenient public sites for tourists and residents who rent or own EVs and PHVs.

Kyocera's solar recharging stations provide an ideal configuration for independent power production to help with emergency situations as well as daily electric vehicle charging.

The two stations for this project, installed by Ostem Co., Ltd., each include a 3.2kW Kyocera solar power generating system, standard charger, 30kW Nichicon quick charger and 7.2kW Nichicon battery storage system.

In addition, the stations are equipped with LED lighting and disaster control boxes which include an emergency power strip, radio, flashlight and work gloves.

During normal operation, electricity generated by solar modules assists the commercial grid in powering the standard charger, and is also sent to the storage system for LED lighting at night.

In times of disaster, the solar-generated electricity saved in the storage system powers the disaster control box in addition to powering LEDs at night. By operating off-grid during disasters, the stations will enable the community to charge devices such as mobile phones during power outages.

Originally, Kyocera's solar recharging stations were developed in 2010 as an environmentally-friendly solar-powered station to power electric-assisted bicycles, using the company's high performance PV modules.

Based on this system, the company developed solar recharging stations to power EVs and PHVs in 2012. By making solar technology more ubiquitous in society, Kyocera hopes to contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient communities.