Key Facts:
- New 50,000 square metre renewable energy manufacturing facility to be established by GBP in Yamaguchi City, Japan
- Facility will focus on solar components, battery storage systems and electrical interconnection products, with operations starting May 2026
- Development responds to increasing demand for replacement components in solar repowering projects across Japan, Europe and Australia
- Site will support compliance with JC-STAR cybersecurity certification requirements becoming mandatory from 2027
- Facility aims to serve both domestic and international customers with shorter lead times and standardised certification
GBP announced the establishment of a domestic manufacturing and product development facility in Yamaguchi City, Japan, aimed at strengthening its production capacity for solar and energy infrastructure components and preparing for emerging cybersecurity certification requirements.
The facility, located on a site of approximately 50,000 square meters, will integrate product development, manufacturing, quality assurance, and certification support functions. GBP stated that the new site is intended to enhance its domestic supply chain capabilities while supporting increasing demand for replacement and upgrade components in repowering solar projects.
Response to Repowering Demand and Regulatory Change
As solar installations across Japan, Europe, and Australia enter repowering cycles, demand for compatible replacement equipment such as solar components, power conditioning equipment, and interconnection hardware is increasing. At the same time, cybersecurity requirements for IoT-enabled renewable energy equipment are being strengthened in key markets.
In Japan, the JC-STAR cybersecurity labelling scheme, introduced in 2025, is expected to become a requirement for grid connection eligibility for certain solar and battery storage systems from 2027 onward, beginning with high- and medium-voltage projects and later extending to low-voltage systems. Similar regulatory developments are being observed in Europe and Australia.
Facility Overview
The Yamaguchi facility will focus on the production and development of solar generation components, battery storage system equipment, and electrical interconnection products, including compatibility solutions for existing installed solar infrastructure. According to GBP, the facility is designed to support the full product lifecycle, including development, manufacturing, quality assurance, and preparation for third-party certification requirements.
The company also plans to incorporate processes related to JC-STAR conformity assessment, documentation management, and compliance tracking into its operations.
Certification Capability and Production Timeline
GBP noted that it has prior experience in third-party certification processes, including obtaining JET certification for high-voltage aluminium cables in 2025. Production at the Yamaguchi facility is scheduled to begin in phases starting May 2026. Major product lines are expected to be operational during 2026, with full-scale operations targeted for 2027.
Market Implications
The company stated that the facility is intended to support both domestic and international customers, including EPC contractors, independent power producers, and asset owners, by providing domestically produced components with standardized certification documentation and shorter lead times.
The site will also support technical collaboration and potential contract manufacturing arrangements with external partners.
About us:
Based in Japan, GBP K.K. offers end-to-end renewable energy solutions — from solar system design and construction to O&M and cutting-edge AI/IoT integration. Feel free to reach out to us for anything renewable energy related!
