December 16, 2025
DOWA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
DOWA ECO-SYSTEM CO., LTD. (14-1, Sotokanda 4-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Capital: 1 billion yen; President: YANAI Yasuharu; hereinafter "DOWA ECO-SYSTEM"), a subsidiary of DOWA HOLDINGS CO., LTD. (same location; Capital: 36.4 billion yen; President: SEKIGUCHI Akira), has commenced a demonstration test for a power generation business utilizing reused PV*¹ panels, including panels used at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, at its subsidiary, Soso Smart Eco-Company Co., Ltd. (123, Choujahara, Ottozawa, Okuma-machi, Futaba, Fukushima; Capital: 50 million yen; Representative Director: OKUNISHI Kazunori; hereinafter "Soso-SEC"). In addition to recycling, this marks the first expansion into the reuse field for the DOWA ECO-SYSTEM Group, establishing a one-stop service from removal to reuse and recycling. This aims to reduce the environmental impact throughout the entire lifecycle of PV panels and promote the effective utilization of resources.
Since the establishment of the FIT program in 2012, the spread of renewable energy such as solar power generation has progressed in Japan. Additionally, the introduction of solar power generation is accelerating further towards realizing a decarbonized society. The disposal of end-of-life PV panels is expected to become full-scale in the 2030s when they reach the end of their lifespan, but currently, most are likely exported overseas. Therefore, from the perspective of effectively utilizing valuable metals such as silver and copper contained in the panels domestically and appropriately handling hazardous substances, the integrated promotion of reuse, recycling, and appropriate disposal has become a social issue. Particularly, the rapid establishment of a domestic reuse system is required.
Fukushima Prefecture is focusing on establishing advanced recycling technologies and fostering related industries through the "Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework*²" which aims to build a new industrial foundation as part of the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear disaster. Soso-SEC was established with investments from eight companies, including DOWA ECO-SYSTEM, as part of this project, and develops recycling businesses such as recycling non-combustible waste generated from reconstruction projects and recycling PV panels. To further expand the advanced recycling system in Fukushima, Soso-SEC began a power generation test utilizing reused PV panels in November 2025.
[Details and Business Model of the Power Generation Test Utilizing Reused PV Panels]
1) GEOTECHNOS CO., LTD. (14F, Tokyo Sky Tree East Tower, 1-1-2, Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo; Capital: 100 million yen; President: KAMADA Masami; hereinafter "GEOTECHNOS"), a subsidiary of DOWA ECO-SYSTEM, removes, collects, and transports used PV panels.
2) Soso-SEC accepts used PV panels from multiple procurement routes and evaluates their reusability through inspection.
3) PV panels that pass the inspection are installed within the Soso-SEC factory premises for power generation testing. The generated electricity is used for self-consumption and selling surplus power; future utilization by group companies is also being considered.
4) PV panels that cannot be reused are recycled at Soso-SEC to recover valuable metals.
In this power generation test, panels used at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan are also utilized. GEOTECHNOS removed and transported the PV panels actually used at the shuttle bus terminal of the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which were provided and sponsored by Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. (3-3-5 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka; Capital: 162.6 billion yen; President: OTOMO Hirotsugu) to Soso-SEC. Additionally, with the cooperation in development planning and construction management from UPDATER, Inc. (Santa Towers Center Building 8F, 2-11-22 Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Capital: 100 million yen; President: OISHI Eiji), and in collaboration with Fukushima Prefecture and companies within the Fukushima Prefecture, PV panels were procured from multiple routes for the test. DOWA ECO-SYSTEM plans to further expand procurement and collaboration partners to strengthen this business.
Furthermore, in this test, by comparing data such as the power generation performance with that of new PV panels, DOWA ECO-SYSTEM aims to verify the practicality of reused PV panels and understand differences by manufacturing year and model, aiming to achieve more efficient reuse.
- 拡大
- Reused PV Panels
DOWA ECO-SYSTEM will continue to pursue the quality in circularity and contribute to building a sustainable world by promoting integrated reuse, recycling, and proper disposal to reduce the environmental impact throughout the entire lifecycle of PV panels and promote the effective utilization of resources.
*１ Photovoltaic
*２ "Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework”
（https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/portal-english/en-7-4-1.html）
[Overview of DOWA ECO-SYSTEM CO., LTD.]
1. Head Office: 14-1 Sotokanda 4-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
2. Established: October 2006
3. Capital: 1 billion yen
4. Representative Director: YANAI Yasuharu
5. Employees: Approx. 2,900
(DOWA ECO-SYSTEM consolidated, as of the end of March 2025)
6. Shareholders: DOWA HOLDINGS CO., LTD. 100%
7. Business: Environmental Management and Recycling
(Resource recycling, Waste treatment, Soil remediation, Logistics, Consulting)
[Overview of Soso Smart Eco-Company Co., Ltd.]
1. Head Office: 123, Choujahara, Ottozawa, Okuma-machi, Futaba, Fukushima
2. Established: October 2018
3. Capital: 50 million yen
4. Representative: OKUNISHI Kazunori
5. Employees: 47 (as of the end of March 2025)
6. Shareholders: DOWA ECO-SYSTEM CO., LTD. 60%, TAIHEIYO CEMENT CORPORATION 10％, Kureha Ecology Management Co., Ltd. 10％, Arakawa Sangyo Co., Ltd. 4％, Keiwa kogyo Co., Ltd. 4％, Takaryo corporation 4%, Tokyo Power Technology Ltd. 4%, MELTEC IWAKI Co., Ltd. 4%
7. Business: Waste treatment (Shredding, Sorting) and recycling of non-combustible waste
[Overview of GEOTECHNOS CO., LTD.]
1. Head Office: 14F, Tokyo Sky Tree East Tower, 1-1-2, Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
2. Established: April 2003
3. Capital: 100 million yen
4. Representative Director: KAMADA Masami
5. Employees: 75 (as of the end of March 2025)
6. Shareholders: DOWA ECO-SYSTEM CO., LTD. 100%
7. Business: Soil remediation, Geological and rock consulting
