STANDAGE Inc., a startup company headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo that develops and provides a digital trade platform, and GRITZ Inc., a startup company based in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo that develops non-FIT solar power plants and grid-connected storage batteries, are pleased to announce that they have entered into a business partnership to start a new business of exporting used solar panels to Nigeria.

 

<Service name>
Nigeria Solar Power Project

Nigeria solar power project

 

<Background>
In Japan, the number of solar power plants has increased rapidly since the Feed In Tariff (FIT) law came into effect in 2012. However, with the end of the FIT system and the replacement of solar panels due to repowering, the disposal of large amounts of panels has become a problem.

 

To achieve carbon neutrality, it is necessary to continue existing power plants after the end of FIT and to improve power generation efficiency through repowering. However, after the end of FIT in 2032, many power plants will be closed one after another, and repowering is expected to result in simultaneous replacement of panels, so measures are needed to deal with the problem of discarding large amounts of panels.

 

Meanwhile, in Africa, where the population is exploding, electricity demand is expected to increase fourfold by 2040. Amid concerns about energy shortages, attention is being focused on solar power plants, which are relatively easy to install and serve as a distributed energy source. It is said that the proportion of solar power generation in the total power supply mix will increase from the current level of around 1% to 17% by 2040.

 

STANDAGE, which has strengths in business in Africa, is already developing sales channels in Nigeria and has received inquiries from multiple companies.

 

<Partnership details>
We will combine the knowledge of solar power plant development provided by GRITZ Corporation with the sales channels, inventory facilities, and logistics operations provided by STANDAGE Corporation and KENAD & STANDAGE LTD. (a local subsidiary in Nigeria).

 

Through this partnership, we will contribute to achieving carbon neutrality not only in Japan but also around the world and solving energy problems in Africa through the business of exporting used solar panels generated when solar power plants are closed or repowered overseas for reuse.

 

The specific benefits expected from this partnership are as follows:

 

Reduced environmental impact:

By exporting used panels that would otherwise be disposed of as industrial waste even though they are not damaged or critically deteriorated, it is hoped that the environmental impact caused by disposal can be reduced.

 

Solving Africa's Energy Problems:

Energy shortages are serious all over Africa, and the demand for solar power generation is on the rise. Through this partnership, we will export used solar panels to Africa and improve the energy supply problem, thereby contributing to solving the region's energy problems.

 

Market expansion and synergy effects:

By leveraging the strengths of both companies, we will be able to expand sales channels in the African market. Combining STANDAGE's trade settlement system and GRITZ's knowledge of solar power plant development will create new business opportunities and generate synergy effects.

 

<Project Scheme>

 

<Start date>
From early November 2024

 

<Company Profile>

STANDAGE Co., Ltd.

■ Company name: STANDAGE Co., Ltd.

■ Address: 4F Sumitomo Shibadaimon Building 2, 1-12-16 Shibadaimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0012

■ Representative: Akinori Adachi

■ Main business:

・Development of a new trade settlement system using blockchain technology

・Development and provision of the digital trade platform "DigiTrad"

・Providing "Marunage Trading," a one-stop export support service for small and medium-sized enterprises

■ Homepage URL:https://standage.co.jp/

 

GRITZ Inc.

■ Company name: GRITZ Co., Ltd.

■ Address: 10th floor, Shinjuku Tatsumi Building, 6-16-6 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023

■ Representative: Hiroyuki Hamano

■ Main business:

・Solar power plant development business

・Solar power generation business

・Renewable energy consulting business

・Media management business (Asuguri – renewable energy related information site)

■ Media: Asgri (https://asuguri.jp/)

■ Homepage URL:https://gritz-holdings.jp/