Amazon’s latest fulfillment center in Nagoya, Japan, is designed to not only deliver customer orders efficiently but also operate with a focus on sustainability.
The facility incorporates the Earth’s underground temperature for heating and cooling through a geothermal system, while also featuring innovative vertical solar panels to support its carbon-free energy goals.
The center uses a geothermal system known as geo-exchange, which regulates indoor temperatures by tapping into the Earth's stable underground climate. Located in Nagoya, the building becomes the first Amazon facility globally to implement vertical wall-mounted solar panels and stands as the company’s largest onsite solar initiative outside the United States.
Using Earth’s carbon-free energy for heating and cooling
"Think of a wine cellar or a basement where the temperature is consistent year-round. The Earth works the same way with its own natural thermostat, but on a much larger scale."
A geothermal heat pump is installed at the center to circulate water through 200 bores drilled over 300 feet deep. In summer, the system draws on cooler underground temperatures to cool the building. During winter, it reverses to bring warmth indoors from the Earth’s relatively warmer subsurface.
"This natural heating and cooling system is not just smart - it's also efficient. Compared to regular air conditioning systems, it uses 30% less energy, which is better for the environment."
Installing solar panels on walls to maximize renewable energy generation
"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."
In addition to rooftop panels and parking lot installations, vertical solar panels are mounted on the building’s south-facing walls—the first such application in an Amazon facility. These panels maximize sunlight capture during early mornings and late afternoons, while also serving as heat shields during hotter months.
The combined solar installations generate 5.5MW, ranking this as one of the largest onsite solar systems for a logistics facility in Japan, and the biggest in Amazon’s global portfolio outside the U.S. The facility will also include a 2.9 MWh battery energy storage system to provide carbon-free electricity during low-sunlight periods.
Geothermal heating and cooling system will operate under the fulfillment center
Thanks to its integrated sustainable technologies, the facility aims to achieve “Zero Carbon Certification” from the Living Future Institute by 2026.
"Amazon is committed to powering our operations more sustainably and accelerating new forms of energy technology. That’s why we’ve invested billions in nuclear energy projects and technologies, as well as other carbon-free energy sources."