GBP Establishes Domestic Production and Product Development Base in Yamaguchi City - Strengthening Domestic Supply System for Future Institutional Responses Including JC-STAR
GBP Co., Ltd., a comprehensive renewable energy solution developer, will establish a 50,000 sqm domestic production and product development base ('Yamaguchi Factory') for renewable energy-related products in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The facility aims to strengthen the supply system for solar power equipment to meet growing repowering demands and to build a development and production structure anticipating future regulatory responses, such as the JC-STAR cybersecurity requirements. Operations are scheduled to begin in May 2026.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 17:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 08:31
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GBP Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, hereafter "GBP"), a comprehensive solution development company for renewable energy, will develop its own facility in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (site area of approximately 50,000 square meters, hereafter "Yamaguchi Factory") as a domestic production and product development base for renewable energy-related products. At the Yamaguchi Factory, we will promote the strengthening of the supply system for solar power generation-related equipment, electric wires, cables, etc., while also building a product development and production system in anticipation of future institutional responses, including JC-STAR.
Yamaguchi Factory under construction (Completion Image)
■ Background of Factory Establishment
① Responding to expanding domestic demand and strengthening supply capacity
More than 10 years have passed since the introduction of the FIT (Feed-in Tariff) system, and in the domestic solar power generation sector, in addition to new installations, the demand for facility renewal (repowering) is expanding. GBP has expanded its business by offering compatible products for old-model solar panels, transformers, junction boxes/collector boxes, cables, etc., with short delivery times and customization support as its strengths.
In response to this expanding demand, GBP is already proceeding with the development of a base in Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, to establish a system capable of supplying more stably and flexibly. The Yamaguchi Factory is positioned as a second domestic base responsible for expanding the product lineup and strengthening production capacity. Through the collaboration of both bases, we aim to strengthen the nationwide supply system and shorten lead times.
② Responding to the sophistication of cybersecurity requirements
In the field of renewable energy, the importance of ensuring cybersecurity for devices connected to distributed power sources is increasing. In March 2025, the operation of the security requirement conformity assessment and labeling system for IoT products, "JC-STAR", began.
Furthermore, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy has announced a policy regarding solar power generation and storage batteries, stating that the use of devices that have acquired JC-STAR★1 for subject devices with communication functions will become a requirement for grid connection in special high-voltage and high-voltage projects applying for contracts from April 2027 onwards, and low-voltage projects (under 50kW) applying from October 2027 onwards.
Anticipating these institutional trends, GBP plans to proceed within FY2026 with system development at the Yamaguchi Factory, with an eye on development, evaluation, application preparation, and production for subject devices that will be required to acquire JC-STAR★1 in the future. We will build a system supporting both development and production to make it easier for power generation operators, EPCs, local governments, etc., to consider products in anticipation of future regulatory compliance.
Location and Scale
Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Site area approximately 50,000 square meters.
Operation Schedule
From May 2026, we plan to sequentially proceed with equipment introduction, personnel placement, and the establishment of a quality control system, aiming to begin production of major product lines in stages during FY2026.
Main Production Items (Planned)
Solar power generation-related equipment, energy storage system-related equipment
Role of the Factory
In addition to its function as a production base, it will be developed as a base responsible for product development, quality evaluation, and third-party certification response. For products anticipating JC-STAR acquisition, we will proceed with building an operational system encompassing conformity assessment, evidence management, and renewal responses.
Estimated Number of Employees
Around 100 people (initial plan)
■ Development and Supply Policy for Subject Devices Requiring Future JC-STAR Acquisition
At the Yamaguchi Factory, we will sequentially develop the development and production systems for renewable energy-oriented IoT-related devices that will require JC-STAR★1 acquisition in the future. GBP will proceed with development, evaluation, and application preparation based on JC-STAR conformity criteria, aiming to build an operational system that envisions evidence management and renewal responses after acquisition.
Additionally, GBP has practical experience in the application process and conformity assessment for third-party certification systems, such as acquiring JET certification for high-voltage aluminum cables in April 2025. Moving forward, while monitoring the progress of institutional improvements for each product category, we will carry out product development in conjunction with certification responses.
■ Expected Value Proposition
For Power Plant Owners and Renewable Energy Developers
In addition to expected improvements in the ease of product selection anticipating future regulatory compliance, it will become easier to consider procurement sources assuming long-term operation under a development, production, and quality control system based in a domestic facility.
For Local Governments and Public Agencies
It will be easier to utilize as an option when considering product selection emphasizing security requirements and supply systems for the introduction of renewable energy facilities to public facilities.
For EPCs (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contractors)
It will become easier to proceed with considering procurement plans that include equipment groups requiring regulatory compliance, which will also lead to a reduction in the burden of product selection and confirmation.
■ Representative's Comment
The launch of the Yamaguchi Factory is a major step for GBP in strengthening our domestic product development, manufacturing, and quality control systems. We will steadily respond from the manufacturing frontline to the growing demands for quality, supply, and security in the renewable energy sector. While keeping an eye on future institutional trends, we will...
Yamaguchi Factory under construction (Completion Image)
■ Background of Factory Establishment
① Responding to expanding domestic demand and strengthening supply capacity
More than 10 years have passed since the introduction of the FIT (Feed-in Tariff) system, and in the domestic solar power generation sector, in addition to new installations, the demand for facility renewal (repowering) is expanding. GBP has expanded its business by offering compatible products for old-model solar panels, transformers, junction boxes/collector boxes, cables, etc., with short delivery times and customization support as its strengths.
In response to this expanding demand, GBP is already proceeding with the development of a base in Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, to establish a system capable of supplying more stably and flexibly. The Yamaguchi Factory is positioned as a second domestic base responsible for expanding the product lineup and strengthening production capacity. Through the collaboration of both bases, we aim to strengthen the nationwide supply system and shorten lead times.
② Responding to the sophistication of cybersecurity requirements
In the field of renewable energy, the importance of ensuring cybersecurity for devices connected to distributed power sources is increasing. In March 2025, the operation of the security requirement conformity assessment and labeling system for IoT products, "JC-STAR", began.
Furthermore, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy has announced a policy regarding solar power generation and storage batteries, stating that the use of devices that have acquired JC-STAR★1 for subject devices with communication functions will become a requirement for grid connection in special high-voltage and high-voltage projects applying for contracts from April 2027 onwards, and low-voltage projects (under 50kW) applying from October 2027 onwards.
Anticipating these institutional trends, GBP plans to proceed within FY2026 with system development at the Yamaguchi Factory, with an eye on development, evaluation, application preparation, and production for subject devices that will be required to acquire JC-STAR★1 in the future. We will build a system supporting both development and production to make it easier for power generation operators, EPCs, local governments, etc., to consider products in anticipation of future regulatory compliance.
Location and Scale
Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Site area approximately 50,000 square meters.
Operation Schedule
From May 2026, we plan to sequentially proceed with equipment introduction, personnel placement, and the establishment of a quality control system, aiming to begin production of major product lines in stages during FY2026.
Main Production Items (Planned)
Solar power generation-related equipment, energy storage system-related equipment
Role of the Factory
In addition to its function as a production base, it will be developed as a base responsible for product development, quality evaluation, and third-party certification response. For products anticipating JC-STAR acquisition, we will proceed with building an operational system encompassing conformity assessment, evidence management, and renewal responses.
Estimated Number of Employees
Around 100 people (initial plan)
■ Development and Supply Policy for Subject Devices Requiring Future JC-STAR Acquisition
At the Yamaguchi Factory, we will sequentially develop the development and production systems for renewable energy-oriented IoT-related devices that will require JC-STAR★1 acquisition in the future. GBP will proceed with development, evaluation, and application preparation based on JC-STAR conformity criteria, aiming to build an operational system that envisions evidence management and renewal responses after acquisition.
Additionally, GBP has practical experience in the application process and conformity assessment for third-party certification systems, such as acquiring JET certification for high-voltage aluminum cables in April 2025. Moving forward, while monitoring the progress of institutional improvements for each product category, we will carry out product development in conjunction with certification responses.
■ Expected Value Proposition
For Power Plant Owners and Renewable Energy Developers
In addition to expected improvements in the ease of product selection anticipating future regulatory compliance, it will become easier to consider procurement sources assuming long-term operation under a development, production, and quality control system based in a domestic facility.
For Local Governments and Public Agencies
It will be easier to utilize as an option when considering product selection emphasizing security requirements and supply systems for the introduction of renewable energy facilities to public facilities.
For EPCs (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contractors)
It will become easier to proceed with considering procurement plans that include equipment groups requiring regulatory compliance, which will also lead to a reduction in the burden of product selection and confirmation.
■ Representative's Comment
The launch of the Yamaguchi Factory is a major step for GBP in strengthening our domestic product development, manufacturing, and quality control systems. We will steadily respond from the manufacturing frontline to the growing demands for quality, supply, and security in the renewable energy sector. While keeping an eye on future institutional trends, we will...