The embassy will use installer ABC Solar and modules from Suniva – both American-headquartered suppliers – on the project, which is expected to begin operating in March next year under Japan’s solar FIT regime.

ABC Solar Japan  has approval to site 338kW at the embassy compound, although the final system could be up to 20% larger under local regulations.

A US Embassy official said: “Since the devastating triple disaster of March 11, 2011, we’ve been trying to find ways to cut our peak energy consumption.”