A Japanese solar firm is transforming the country’s abandoned golf courses into solar power plants.

Kyocera TCL Solar has began construction on a 23MW farm on unused greens in Kyoto Prefecture.

The firm expects it to generate 26,312MWh per year — enough electricity to power around 8,100 homes.

It is also developing a 92MW plant on another course, which has been deserted for 30 years, in Kagoshima Prefecture.

The firm said in several states in the US such as Florida, Utah, Kansas and Minnesota, they are considering proposals on how to repurpose their golf courses.

Overdevelopment of golf properties during the real estate boom of the 1990s and 2000s has led to hundreds of idle courses today which are now under analysis for repurposing or redevelopment, the company said.

Kyocera added: “Solar can provide a particularly productive and environmentally friendly use for defunct golf courses, which are characterised by expansive land mass, high sun exposure and a low concentration of shade trees.”