Japanese City to Start Leasing Rooftop Space for Solar Power Generation

Copyright Ashikaga City

Ashikaga City of Tochigi Prefecture in Japan announced on May 9, 2012, that it will start leasing rooftop space on public facilities for solar power generation. The new project involves "generating electricity," one of the three pillars for improving the Ashikaga Residential Power Generation Plan that the City has been promoting.

On July 1, 2012, the City started a feed-in-tariff system for renewable energy, under which electric companies are responsible for purchasing electricity generated by renewable energy for a certain period at one fixed price. Along with this system, the City started its rooftop leasing project for solar power businesses on the condition that they provide facilities with electricity in the event of power disruptions caused by disasters or supply-demand shortfalls.

Aiming to strengthen the function of public facilities during times of disaster, the City also hopes to curb emissions of greenhouse gasses and revitalize the local economy by promoting the use of renewable energy as a result of leasing the space for solar power generation in normal times.

The City plans to set appropriate leasing fees for power-generating capacity based on government electricity prices.

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Posted: 2012/08/24 06:00:15 AM