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Amazon has launched a new state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Nagoya, Japan, integrating advanced geothermal and solar technologies to significantly reduce its environmental footprint and support its global decarbonization efforts.
The facility features Amazon’s first-ever use of vertical solar panels, mounted on the exterior south-facing walls to maximize solar energy capture throughout the day. These panels complement rooftop and parking lot installations to form a 5.5-megawatt (MW) solar system—the largest on-site solar array by capacity in Amazon’s portfolio outside the United States. A 2.9 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage system ensures uninterrupted access to clean energy during periods of low sunlight.
“In places like Japan where available land can be scarce, building new carbon-free energy sources is increasingly challenging. That’s why Amazon is getting creative to capture more solar energy,” the company stated.
The vertical panels also serve a dual function, reducing heat gain within the building during summer months and improving overall energy efficiency.
Innovative Geothermal System Cuts Energy Use
Inside the facility, Amazon has installed a geo-exchange system that uses the Earth’s stable underground temperature for heating and cooling. The system circulates water through 200 geothermal bores, each drilled over 300 feet deep, reducing HVAC energy consumption by up to 30% compared to conventional systems.
“In the summer, the geothermal heat pump absorbs the Earth’s coolness and circulates it throughout the building. In the winter, it reverses the process to draw warmth from the ground,” Amazon explained.
Certification and Broader Impact
The Nagoya center is expected to achieve Zero Carbon Certification from the Living Future Institute by the end of 2026, reflecting its comprehensive sustainability design and energy-efficient technologies.
This facility is part of Amazon’s broader commitment to sustainability, which includes multi-billion-dollar investments in carbon-free energy sources, including nuclear power, and a goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 under The Climate Pledge.
“Amazon is committed to powering our operations more sustainably and accelerating new forms of energy technology,” the company emphasized.
The new Nagoya center stands as a model for how large-scale logistics infrastructure can evolve to support both operational needs and global climate goals.
Amazon Campus Seattle, Washington Picture by Steven Vance
