Looop Inc. and Bboxx Kenya Ltd Sign Agreement for Solar Panel Reuse Demonstration
Looop Inc. and Bboxx Kenya Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a demonstration project to reuse solar panels in un-electrified regions of Kenya. This international initiative aims to address Japan's '2030 problem' of increasing solar panel waste and provide clean energy to Kenya.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 20:00
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Looop Inc. (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Soichiro Nakamura; hereinafter "Looop"), which pursues new ways of energy and life with the vision of "realizing an energy-free society," has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bboxx Kenya Ltd (Headquarters: Kenya; hereinafter "Bboxx Kenya"), which operates energy businesses in Africa, for a demonstration experiment on solar panel reuse in un-electrified regions of Kenya. This initiative not only provides an effective solution to the "2030 problem," where the number of solar panels that have served their purpose in Japan is rapidly increasing, but also represents a challenge to convert discarded resources into new value and spread clean energy to un-electrified regions.
From left: Soichiro Nakamura, Representative Director and CEO of Looop; Mr. Anthony Mabonga, Managing Director of Bboxx Kenya; Naoki Taki, Manager of SCM Promotion Department, Looop.
Background of the MOU Signing
Currently, the introduction of solar panels in Japan is rapidly increasing towards a decarbonized society, but around 2030, a "2030 problem" is predicted to materialize, where a large number of solar panels that have passed their service life will be discharged. Due to Japan's system, these are likely to be treated as "panels that have served their purpose," but in reality, some maintain sufficient power generation capacity and retain value as valuable energy resources. However, the system for reuse and recycling in Japan is still undeveloped, and a path for effective utilization has not been established. On the other hand, in emerging countries like Kenya, infrastructure development such as power lines has not kept pace, and many "un-electrified regions" still exist where daily necessary electricity is not available. To solve these issues in both Japan and Kenya simultaneously, Looop has partnered with Bboxx Kenya, which operates energy businesses in Africa, and agreed to start a demonstration experiment to maximize the asset value of solar panels in un-electrified regions of Kenya while curbing Japan's "2030 problem."
Furthermore, regarding this initiative, a courtesy visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Japan by both Looop's Representative Director and CEO and Bboxx Kenya's Managing Director was realized, and high interest and expectations were expressed for this cooperation towards the promotion of renewable energy in the country.
From left: Soichiro Nakamura, Representative Director and CEO of Looop; Mr. Moi Lemoshira, Ambassador of Kenya to Japan; Mr. Anthony Mabonga, Managing Director of Bboxx Kenya.
Content of the Demonstration Experiment
The main objective of this demonstration is to utilize solar panels that have reached their replacement period by Japanese commercial standards but still possess power generation capacity, as a valuable power source in Kenyan homes, schools, clinics, and water supply points. As a preliminary step towards future commercialization, Looop will first provide solar panels (up to 500 units, equivalent to 0.3MW of power generation) to Kenya.
For export, Looop will conduct a performance inspection in advance and carefully select only solar panels confirmed to be without quality issues. Bboxx Kenya will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of solar power generation facilities on site, and both companies will bear the costs and donate them, providing carbon-free electricity derived from solar power to people in un-electrified regions.
Future Vision
Through this demonstration, Looop aims not merely to reuse solar panels but to establish a "solar panel life extension and circular model" that includes collection and recycling after use. This is a system that maximizes the lifespan of solar panels to curb Japan's "2030 problem" and ultimately returns products to resources, moving away from a disposable culture.
Conceptual diagram of the "solar panel life extension and circular model."
Steps to Establish the "Solar Panel Life Extension and Circular Model"
STEP 1 (Inspection and Reuse in Japan): Looop rigorously inspects solar panels that have completed their role under Japan's strict standards and selects them as high-quality "reusable resources."
STEP 2 (Effective Utilization in Kenya): Installed in households and public facilities in un-electrified regions through Bboxx Kenya's network. Contributing to improving access to clean water and medical care in Kenya, while maximizing the lifespan of solar panels.
STEP 3 (Verification of Business Feasibility and Future Collection/Recycling): With an eye towards full-scale commercialization from FY2027, a sustainable business model will be established in Kenya by combining revenue from off-grid electricity sales and utilizing subsidies, and in Japan, by using collection fees for unwanted solar panels as the main revenue source. The goal is to continue using them for a long time through inspections, and ultimately, to recycle the solar panels.
From left: Soichiro Nakamura, Representative Director and CEO of Looop; Mr. Anthony Mabonga, Managing Director of Bboxx Kenya; Naoki Taki, Manager of SCM Promotion Department, Looop.
Background of the MOU Signing
Currently, the introduction of solar panels in Japan is rapidly increasing towards a decarbonized society, but around 2030, a "2030 problem" is predicted to materialize, where a large number of solar panels that have passed their service life will be discharged. Due to Japan's system, these are likely to be treated as "panels that have served their purpose," but in reality, some maintain sufficient power generation capacity and retain value as valuable energy resources. However, the system for reuse and recycling in Japan is still undeveloped, and a path for effective utilization has not been established. On the other hand, in emerging countries like Kenya, infrastructure development such as power lines has not kept pace, and many "un-electrified regions" still exist where daily necessary electricity is not available. To solve these issues in both Japan and Kenya simultaneously, Looop has partnered with Bboxx Kenya, which operates energy businesses in Africa, and agreed to start a demonstration experiment to maximize the asset value of solar panels in un-electrified regions of Kenya while curbing Japan's "2030 problem."
Furthermore, regarding this initiative, a courtesy visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Japan by both Looop's Representative Director and CEO and Bboxx Kenya's Managing Director was realized, and high interest and expectations were expressed for this cooperation towards the promotion of renewable energy in the country.
From left: Soichiro Nakamura, Representative Director and CEO of Looop; Mr. Moi Lemoshira, Ambassador of Kenya to Japan; Mr. Anthony Mabonga, Managing Director of Bboxx Kenya.
Content of the Demonstration Experiment
The main objective of this demonstration is to utilize solar panels that have reached their replacement period by Japanese commercial standards but still possess power generation capacity, as a valuable power source in Kenyan homes, schools, clinics, and water supply points. As a preliminary step towards future commercialization, Looop will first provide solar panels (up to 500 units, equivalent to 0.3MW of power generation) to Kenya.
For export, Looop will conduct a performance inspection in advance and carefully select only solar panels confirmed to be without quality issues. Bboxx Kenya will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of solar power generation facilities on site, and both companies will bear the costs and donate them, providing carbon-free electricity derived from solar power to people in un-electrified regions.
Future Vision
Through this demonstration, Looop aims not merely to reuse solar panels but to establish a "solar panel life extension and circular model" that includes collection and recycling after use. This is a system that maximizes the lifespan of solar panels to curb Japan's "2030 problem" and ultimately returns products to resources, moving away from a disposable culture.
Conceptual diagram of the "solar panel life extension and circular model."
Steps to Establish the "Solar Panel Life Extension and Circular Model"
STEP 1 (Inspection and Reuse in Japan): Looop rigorously inspects solar panels that have completed their role under Japan's strict standards and selects them as high-quality "reusable resources."
STEP 2 (Effective Utilization in Kenya): Installed in households and public facilities in un-electrified regions through Bboxx Kenya's network. Contributing to improving access to clean water and medical care in Kenya, while maximizing the lifespan of solar panels.
STEP 3 (Verification of Business Feasibility and Future Collection/Recycling): With an eye towards full-scale commercialization from FY2027, a sustainable business model will be established in Kenya by combining revenue from off-grid electricity sales and utilizing subsidies, and in Japan, by using collection fees for unwanted solar panels as the main revenue source. The goal is to continue using them for a long time through inspections, and ultimately, to recycle the solar panels.