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Delivering Clean and Affordable Electricity Across Japan: Transforming the Rooftop Solar Installation Process with Satellite Data【2025 ICT Startup League Member Interview: Bilopt Inc.】
Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is an urgent matter, with the decarbonization of electricity being a core theme. Especially in Japan, a country with limited flat land, the proliferation of **rooftop solar** panel installation on buildings is highly emphasized.
A significant hurdle hindering this spread has traditionally been the design process for panel layouts, which must be tailored to the unique roof shape of each building. One startup is drastically streamlining this process using the power of software, accelerating the adoption of rooftop solar. We spoke with Mitsuo Usui, CEO of Bilopt Inc., about his business vision and his challenges in the ICT Startup League.
“Making a big impact on society.” The path to decarbonization chosen by an engineer who aspired to start a business.
First, could you tell us about your career path up to now?
Usui: I majored in Biological Information Science at the Faculty of Science, the University of Tokyo, where I first encountered programming. After graduation, I worked on back-end development for the job search site **Indeed**, and since 2022, I have been working as a freelancer, involved in SaaS (Software as a Cloud Service) development for startup companies, among other things.
What kind of work were you doing at Indeed?
Usui: I was responsible for developing the data infrastructure that analyzes users' on-site behavior and improves search results in real-time. Unlike my time in university where I was writing code alone, the experience of developing in a large team was extremely valuable.
What were you doing during your time as a freelancer involved in SaaS development?
Usui: Conversely to my time at Indeed, I worked in an environment where a very small team built a product from scratch. There was an engineer among the founding members, and I was brought in as support to follow their lead. Their example was a huge inspiration, showing me that one person, with resolve and execution, could build a product on their own.
After gaining engineering experience in these various environments, you established Bilopt Inc. in 2024. Could you tell us what motivated you to found the company?
Usui: As an engineer, I felt a strong desire to create new value and deliver it to the world, rather than just improving and operating already completed systems. Although there wasn't one distinct foundational experience, I was driven by the aspiration to do work that would **"make a big impact on society."**
In the process of wanting to pursue a business with social impact as a manager, why did you focus on **decarbonization**?
Usui: While exploring new services, I realized the importance of centering the decision not only on the external perspective of **"service needs"** but also on **"myself."** When considering what our generation should be doing, achieving carbon neutrality seemed like a major challenge that we must commit to addressing.
And why did you choose the field of **solar power generation** within that context?
Usui: In the context of **"decarbonizing electricity,"** which is central to carbon neutrality, solar power generation is an extremely vital technology. However, the current adoption process has various inefficiencies. I saw an opportunity to utilize my experience and skills as a software engineer to resolve these bottlenecks.
"Bilopt," a SaaS that streamlines the sales process for rooftop solar
Could you elaborate on the service's features?
Usui: Bilopt is a **business support SaaS that streamlines the sales process for rooftop solar.** It is characterized by its features for design assistance for panel layouts using satellite data, and its proposal support features for customers.
What are the advantages compared to the conventional sales approach?
Usui: There are two main advantages. The first is the **significant efficiency improvement in the design process.** Traditionally, customers (homeowners) had to provide the architectural drawings of their homes, and panel placement was designed using manufacturer-specific CAD software (Computer-Aided Design software for digital design and drafting). If drawings weren't available, an on-site survey was needed to measure the roof dimensions, which added more cost. Bilopt utilizes **high-resolution satellite data** to accurately create a **3D model** of the target residence using only its address information. This eliminates the need for on-site surveys or architectural drawings, allowing us to **shorten the design process, which could previously take several weeks, to about 3 minutes.**
Accurate 3D modeling of the target residence
3D display of panel placementWhat is the second advantage?
Usui: It’s the **improvement in the project closing rate.** With Bilopt, we can convey the installation image quickly and clearly to customers considering a purchase. This allows them to move to concrete consideration before their interest wanes, thereby encouraging the purchase decision.
Does it also streamline the simulation of installation benefits, in addition to panel design?
Usui: Yes. Conventionally, it was common to roughly calculate the electricity bill reduction amount from the annual total power generation. In contrast, Bilopt can perform a **more concrete simulation based on the customer's current electricity plan and past power consumption records.** By accurately communicating the benefits to the customer, we contribute to a higher closing rate.
Power generation forecast simulationAre there any technological areas you aim to further advance?
Usui: Currently, Bilopt mainly serves **existing homes** where satellite data is available, but we intend to focus on the **new construction** sector moving forward. We are currently working on developing technology to automatically generate 3D models by reading architectural drawings with AI, aiming for a future where the process from drawing to design can be fully completed within our system.
What is your outlook on the future market? In Tokyo, the installation of solar power generation equipment on new homes has been mandated since April 2025.
Usui: Installing solar panels on building roofs is extremely important in Japan, a country with limited flat land, and further expansion is expected. We hope that Bilopt, by significantly improving the traditional adoption process, can revitalize the market and contribute to achieving the goals set by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the national government.
Accurately modeling the target residence by utilizing high-resolution satellite photos and 3D dataA venue for sharing similar aspirations and challenges: The growth and connections fostered by the "ICT Startup League"
What was your goal in participating in the ICT Startup League?
Usui: Given the name "ICT Startup League," I decided to participate believing that working alongside entrepreneurs specializing in software and hardware would significantly contribute to the growth of our own business.
What has your experience been like since joining?
Usui: Although I'm eager to participate more in the activities, the interaction with people operating businesses in various fields is very stimulating and motivates us to work harder. The challenges faced by startup managers—regarding funding and networking—are often similar despite differing business content, so I hope to build more connections where we can discuss these topics in the future.
"Clean and Affordable Electricity Across Japan." Making solar power more accessible by reducing adoption costs.
Could you share your future outlook?
Usui: Our goal is to **"deliver clean and affordable electricity across Japan."** Even if electricity is environmentally friendly, it won't proliferate if it is expensive. We aim to contribute to the spread of electricity that is kind to both household budgets and the planet by resolving various bottlenecks that drive up costs, starting with reducing sales operations expenses, to lower the price offered to customers.
Editor's Note
Mr. Usui's initiative with "Bilopt" is highly compatible with the ICT Startup League. It not only promotes the decarbonization of Japan's energy sector but also strongly advances construction DX, opening up possibilities in various fields.
He envisions expanding their coverage in the future, first by establishing a service for "new construction," and then extending it to industrial facilities and ground-mounted (large-scale panel installation on flat land) solar projects, which promise greater power generation. We look forward to the significant impact that Mr. Usui's challenge will have on the society we live in, as he spearheads the further adoption of solar power in Japan by providing cleaner energy at a lower cost.
■ICT Startup League
This is a support program initiated in 2023, catalyzed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Support for the Development of Emerging Research and Development for Startup Creation" program.
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
① R&D Funding / Hands-on Support
R&D funding of up to **20 million yen** is provided in the form of a subsidy. Furthermore, in the hands-on support, the selection committee members involved in the league member selection process continue to closely assist and promote growth even after the selection. For companies that the selection committee members evaluate as "absolutely must be adopted," the committee members themselves continuously provide support such as advice on the business plan and opportunities for growth—a truly "super-fan"-like support system is established.
② Discovery and Nurturing
The league provides opportunities for learning and networking to promote the business growth of its members.
It also seeks to discover people who aspire to start a business, aiming to expand the overall pool of entrepreneurs.
③ Competition & Co-creation
The league is structured as a positive competitive environment, similar to a sports league, where startups learn together and challenge each other to win the necessary funding (up to 20 million yen). It also provides a space for co-creation, where league members collaborate to expand their businesses through various opportunities, such as sessions with the selection committee members.
④ Outreach
The league publicizes the initiatives of its members in collaboration with the media! By raising awareness of their businesses, the league aims to broaden opportunities for new matching and chances.
■Related Websites
Bilopt Inc.
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Bilopt Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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ICT Startup League
