Soden to Gradually Introduce Solar Power Generation Equipment and Storage Batteries at Katsumata Jidosha Group Toyota Dealerships
VPP startup Soden Inc. and Katsumata Jidosha Co., Ltd. are partnering to sequentially install solar power generation equipment and storage batteries at Toyota dealerships within the Katsumata group. This aims to reduce electricity costs, lower CO2 emissions, and enhance business continuity (BCP) during disasters. Installation and operation are planned for within fiscal year 2026.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 16:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 07:31
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VPP startup Soden Inc. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Rui Iino; hereinafter “Soden”) has partnered with Katsumata Jidosha Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture; President and Representative Director: Ryuichi Katsumata; hereinafter “Katsumata Jidosha”) to sequentially begin introducing solar power generation equipment and storage batteries at Toyota dealerships within the Katsumata Group. This initiative will start with some locations and will be gradually expanded according to the situation at each site.
Background and Purpose
This project aims to simultaneously achieve a reduction in electricity costs through self-consumption and a reduction in CO2 emissions by introducing solar power generation equipment at Toyota dealerships within the group. Furthermore, at locations with large generation capacities and high power loads, the efficient use of energy will be pursued by combining solar power generation equipment with storage batteries. This will contribute to improving Business Continuity (BCP) and strengthening regional disaster prevention functions, as it can be utilized for power optimization during normal times and as a backup power source during disasters.
Soden will provide end-to-end support, from equipment selection to design and construction management, for optimal and rapid equipment introduction tailored to the installation conditions of each Toyota dealership. Preparation for installation is currently being jointly advanced, with installation and operation planned for within fiscal year 2026.
Comments from Each Company
Comment from Mr. Ryuichi Katsumata, President and Representative Director of Katsumata Jidosha Co., Ltd.
“Soden has a system that consistently handles everything from simulation to construction, making them a highly reliable partner for us. While addressing the recent rise in electricity costs is certainly important, we view this initiative not merely as a cost-saving measure, but as an opportunity to rethink our energy usage itself. Through the introduction of solar power generation and storage batteries, each location will evolve from being merely a place that 'uses energy' to a 'hub that generates and optimally utilizes energy.' We believe that this accumulation will lead to the realization of a new society where mobility and energy are integrated, and ultimately contribute to the foundation of the hydrogen society promoted by Toyota. Moving forward, our company and group companies will continue to strive for both the realization of a sustainable society and business development as a community-rooted mobility provider.”
Comment from Mr. Rui Iino, Representative Director of Soden Inc.
“We believe that the future introduction of solar power generation equipment and storage batteries at Toyota dealerships within the Katsumata Jidosha Group is a highly significant initiative that will transform the way energy is utilized while leveraging existing business locations. In recent years, against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical risks, fluctuations in energy prices, and changes in the electricity supply and demand environment, including the tense situation in the Middle East with the Iran situation, the importance for companies to create, store, and optimally utilize energy themselves has increased even further. Our company will utilize VPP (Virtual Power Plant) software to bundle and integrally control distributed energy resources, thereby supporting the optimization of energy costs. By collaborating with community-rooted mobility providers like Katsumata Jidosha, we aim to create new value where energy and mobility are integrated.”
Soden Inc. Company Profile
Soden is a VPP startup with the mission of “realizing an open world where anyone can freely control electricity.” We provide one-stop solutions for the development, installation, and operation of diverse energy sources, including distributed storage batteries (VPP), grid-scale storage power plants, asset management, and solar power generation.
Company Name: Soden Inc.
Representative Director: Rui Iino
Founded: June 30, 2022
Tokyo Office: Ginza PREX East 6F, 2-1-4 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045
Chiba Office: 1-7-21 Futamata, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture 272-0001
URL: https://soden-inc.jp/
Background and Purpose
This project aims to simultaneously achieve a reduction in electricity costs through self-consumption and a reduction in CO2 emissions by introducing solar power generation equipment at Toyota dealerships within the group. Furthermore, at locations with large generation capacities and high power loads, the efficient use of energy will be pursued by combining solar power generation equipment with storage batteries. This will contribute to improving Business Continuity (BCP) and strengthening regional disaster prevention functions, as it can be utilized for power optimization during normal times and as a backup power source during disasters.
Soden will provide end-to-end support, from equipment selection to design and construction management, for optimal and rapid equipment introduction tailored to the installation conditions of each Toyota dealership. Preparation for installation is currently being jointly advanced, with installation and operation planned for within fiscal year 2026.
Comments from Each Company
Comment from Mr. Ryuichi Katsumata, President and Representative Director of Katsumata Jidosha Co., Ltd.
“Soden has a system that consistently handles everything from simulation to construction, making them a highly reliable partner for us. While addressing the recent rise in electricity costs is certainly important, we view this initiative not merely as a cost-saving measure, but as an opportunity to rethink our energy usage itself. Through the introduction of solar power generation and storage batteries, each location will evolve from being merely a place that 'uses energy' to a 'hub that generates and optimally utilizes energy.' We believe that this accumulation will lead to the realization of a new society where mobility and energy are integrated, and ultimately contribute to the foundation of the hydrogen society promoted by Toyota. Moving forward, our company and group companies will continue to strive for both the realization of a sustainable society and business development as a community-rooted mobility provider.”
Comment from Mr. Rui Iino, Representative Director of Soden Inc.
“We believe that the future introduction of solar power generation equipment and storage batteries at Toyota dealerships within the Katsumata Jidosha Group is a highly significant initiative that will transform the way energy is utilized while leveraging existing business locations. In recent years, against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical risks, fluctuations in energy prices, and changes in the electricity supply and demand environment, including the tense situation in the Middle East with the Iran situation, the importance for companies to create, store, and optimally utilize energy themselves has increased even further. Our company will utilize VPP (Virtual Power Plant) software to bundle and integrally control distributed energy resources, thereby supporting the optimization of energy costs. By collaborating with community-rooted mobility providers like Katsumata Jidosha, we aim to create new value where energy and mobility are integrated.”
Soden Inc. Company Profile
Soden is a VPP startup with the mission of “realizing an open world where anyone can freely control electricity.” We provide one-stop solutions for the development, installation, and operation of diverse energy sources, including distributed storage batteries (VPP), grid-scale storage power plants, asset management, and solar power generation.
Company Name: Soden Inc.
Representative Director: Rui Iino
Founded: June 30, 2022
Tokyo Office: Ginza PREX East 6F, 2-1-4 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045
Chiba Office: 1-7-21 Futamata, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture 272-0001
URL: https://soden-inc.jp/