Japan has been the latest country to launch programs to integrate solar power and other forms of renewable energy into schools.
Last week, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihiro Nikai, announced a plan to encourage companies to provide financing for the acquisition of solar power systems for schools, which would then go towards greenhouse gas emission targets under a carbon trading plan to be launched in October.
Given the massive roof space available on most schools, if 80% of Japan’s public middle and primary schools participated, Nikai estimates a combined solar electricity generation of 510 gigawatts per hour, equivalent to the output of 150,000 home solar power systems and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by around 230,000 tons annually. Japan aims to boost the country’s solar power generation capacity 10 times the current levels by 2020 and by 40-fold by 2030.
Germany is another country where schools are being utilized in the push for more solar power generation. Already a leader in photovoltaic uptake, Germany recently implemented a program to rent out school rooftops to private investors for the installation of grid connected solar panel arrays. By mid-October this year, 24 schools has already signed on for the program.
Closer to home, the Australian Federal Government is currently offering schools major grants under the National Solar Schools Program as part of the nation’s MRET (Mandatory Renewable Energy Target) . The program provides up to $50,000 in grants, or in the case of a primary and secondary combined campus, up to $100,000 in funding to install grid connect solar power systems.
