With the shortage of suitable places for solar power generation, there is a growing movement to install panels in previously unused spaces such as on fields and on the surface of ponds.
The government plans to significantly expand the introduction of solar power generation toward the realization of a carbon-free society.
However, in Japan, about 70% of the land is forest, and there are few flat areas with good sunshine conditions, and the problem is that there is a shortage of suitable places for panel installation.
Under these circumstances, a venture company headquartered in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, is promoting efforts to cultivate Japanese ginger and sweet potatoes that are easy to grow even in the shade, and to utilize the space above the fields for solar power generation.
In principle, agricultural land is not allowed to be used for purposes other than agriculture, but it also generates electricity while continuing agriculture under the application of the law that allows power generation business on the condition that the yield is maintained above a certain level. ..
Reika Murakami, a venture company, says, "We are proceeding with the installation of panels without carving out mountains. We would like to contribute to global warming countermeasures through our efforts."
In addition, there are widespread movements to make effective use of vacant space, such as attaching panels to panels in agricultural ponds to float them, and attaching roofs to install panels in parking lots in commercial facilities.