Greenhouses powered by a solar farm have sprung up where tsunami and nuclear fallout damage previously scarred the landscape near the Fukushima nuclear reactor disaster site.
Minamisoma Solar Agri Park, which is located 25 km from the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant, combines solar power generation with agricultural production and also acts a training facility.
2000 solar panels supply electricity to two “vegetable factory” domes, inside which farmers who were negatively impacted by the disasters will be able to grow produce. Surplus electricity generated by the solar farm will be sold to Tohoku Electric Power Company.
The air-inflated greenhouse domes feature a wheel layout that doubles the capacity and efficiency of conventional greenhouses and allows farmers to work from the centre of each wheel. All produce is grown hydroponically, with temperature and moisture regulation achieved via a computer system; resulting in produce that grows considerably faster than under normal conditions.
The project was spearheaded by Eiju Hangai, a former executive of the nuclear plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco); who says he felt somewhat responsible for the nuclear disaster. Mr. Hangai left Tepco some months before the incident.
Construction of the Park started on December 21 last year and was opened earlier today.
In January, Mitsubishi Corporation Disaster Relief Foundation contributed 30 million yen towards establishing a sustainable management base for “Green Academy”, an on-site training program providing children work experience at the Minamisoma Solar Agri Park solar farm and greenhouses.
Toshiba has also supported and invested in the Minamisoma Solar Agri-Park project.
With regard to the future of nuclear power in Japan, Mr. Hangai believes that should be in the hands of the Japanese people rather than corporations.
“The professionals caused an accident. Next it’s the turn of the public to decide and for the professionals to respond to their wishes.”
