MLIT Selects 1,320 Zero-Energy House Projects for Grant Program

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) announced on August 10, 2012, that it has selected 1,320 housing construction or renovation project applications submitted by small- and medium-sized home builders to receive grants under the ministry's zero-energy house promotion program.

The ministerial program intends to facilitate housing construction and renovation projects that aim to achieve net-zero consumption, over the course of a year, of primary energy from fossil fuels by using enhanced thermal insulation, photovoltaic power generation systems, solar thermal energy systems, storage batteries, and other technologies.

MLIT will grant an amount up to half of the costs eligible for subsidy (up to 1.65 million yen, or US$12,987, per house) to support each selected applicant in starting project work.