Fukushima City officials found that reflected light from the Sendatsuyama solar power plant lasts more than 10 times longer than operators predicted [4].

The findings highlight a significant gap between corporate environmental simulations and the actual impact on residents, potentially forcing the operator to implement new mitigation measures.

City officials conducted the field survey from February to April 2026 [6] after residents repeatedly reported light pollution. The results, announced on May 29 [7], showed that reflected light at certain points lasted up to 53 minutes per day [4]. This far exceeds the operator's initial simulation, which estimated a maximum reflection time of about five minutes per day [3].

The solar facility, which began commercial operations in September 2025 [1], required the clearing of forest land equivalent to approximately 20 Tokyo Domes [2].

Shishido Ikuo, head of the Fukushima City Environmental Policy Division, described the intensity of the glare during the investigation. "It is blinding. It is almost the same as looking directly at the sun. It is a brightness that cannot be looked at directly," Shishido said.

Shishido said that the operator previously stated the facility would not produce light pollution or reflect light toward urban areas. He said the operator has now confirmed the actual presence of the glare, which he described as a step forward in addressing the issue.

Fukushima City plans to continue recording the light reflections until mid-July [8].

“It is almost the same as looking directly at the sun.”

This discrepancy between simulated impact and real-world outcomes underscores the risks of large-scale land clearing for renewable energy. By documenting a 10-fold increase in light pollution, the city has established a factual basis to demand corrective action from the operator, shifting the burden of proof from the affected residents to the energy company.