• Japan’s public schools to be powered by solar power by 2020

  • solar_rooftop_school.jpg
    By the year 2020, Japan will be an example for the world (if other countries don’t race them to something better). They are going to have 32,000 public school that will run on solar power. This is part of Japan’ efforts move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The government is also keeping aside money between $650m and $980m in subsidies for the project so that municipalities would only need to pay 2.5 per cent of the cost. The schools will have 20kW rooftop solar systems which will power fluorescent lighting for eight to 10 classrooms on a daily basis. Under the plan, any excess power generated by the solar arrays will be sold to utility companies, providing schools with an additional source of revenue.


    This plan, however, isn’t new to the world. Germany did something similar last year when it implemented a programme to rent out school rooftops to private investors for the installation of grid-connected solar panel array. Also Australia’s National Solar Schools Program provides grants for the establishment of grid-linked solar power systems at primary and secondary schools, while in Britain, The Children’s Plan aims to make all new school buildings zero-carbon by 2016. Ok, maybe Japanese won’t be such a huge example, they just followed suit. But, Japanese officials are considering using other public facilities including railway stations and highway rest areas to install solar panels that would help the nation reach its emissions reduction targets. So that is unique.
    [Businessgreen]

    Posted in Topics:Alternative Energy, Tags: , on July 15, 2009