Govt eyes solar power generators for schools

Written by changthai11 on Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Govt eyes solar power generators for schools

Public middle and primary schools nationwide are to be encouraged to introduce solar power generators as part of efforts to cut greenhouse emissions, the government announced Friday.

Under the new system, companies will be asked to provide financial support for the purchase of solar power generation systems for schools. This financial support would then be counted toward greenhouse gas emission targets introduced as part of a trading plan launched in October.

Efforts by schools and other public bodies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are seen as lagging those of the private sector.

The government hopes the new system, while helping the country meet its reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol, will help public schools save money on the construction costs of solar power generating facilities, as well as cut their electricity bills.

It also believes companies will benefit as they will not have to reduce output or introduce other costly measures to meet their reduction targets.

The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry estimates that if 80 percent of the about 32,000 public middle and primary schools across the country introduce a solar power generation system, they will be able to generate a combined 510 gigawatts per hour, equal to the power generated by solar power generators in 150,000 households.

According to the ministry, such power generation would help the country cut CO2 emissions by about 230,000 tons annually, about the same as that produced by a major steelmaker.

The government plans to increase the country’s solar power generation capacity by 10-fold by 2020 and by 40-fold by 2030.

With the cooperation of the Education, Science and Technology Ministry, the Construction and Transport Ministry, the Environment Ministry and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the economy and trade ministry also plans to extend the system to fund construction of solar power generation systems on roads and railway facilities. (Nov. 9, 2008)