The eighth "Sunshine" photovoltaic (PV) power plant installed by the Kyoto Green Fund, a non-profit organization, began operation at Omiya Nursery School in Kyoto City in January 2006. The plant can supply the nursery school with two-thirds of its annual electricity consumption, about 15,000 kw.
The Kyoto Green Fund has been introducing environmental education to local nursery schools and kindergartens by installing "Sunshine" PV power plants since 2001, with the aim of promoting energy conservation, electricity savings, and green energy. The organization's philosophy is that environmental consciousness is best developed not through book knowledge, but in daily life during early childhood.
Major effects such as changed behavior among the children have been reported at the nursery schools and kindergartens that have these PV systems. Some children now turn off the lights, saying, "It's a waste to leave the light on." An increasing number of children have also begun to turn off the water when their parents shower, saying, "Don't leave the water running when it's not necessary."
The organization manages its Sunshine Fund by accepting three kinds of donations: 1) monthly donations from the organization's members, 2) donations of about 3,000 yen (about US$25.6) from supporters of each PV power plant installation project, and 3) donations from boxes placed in business offices or private homes and collected by fund-raisers. In addition, the organization receives subsidies from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and support from private entities, such as Lions Clubs, to promote PV power plant installation.
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