Ordinance to regulate solar power generation facilities More than tripled in the last three years NPO survey

The key to the realization of a "decarbonized society" is the spread of renewable energy such as sunlight.

However, a survey by an NPO found that the number of municipalities that have regulations that regulate the construction of solar power generation facilities has more than tripled in the last three years.

The background is the voice of residents who are concerned about damaging the landscape.

The government plans to maximize the introduction of renewable energy such as solar power to achieve the goal of zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

However, there are cases where residents oppose it because of concerns that large-scale power generation facilities will spoil the landscape and that solar panels will suddenly collapse, and many local governments have ordinances to regulate construction.

According to the NPO "Environmental Energy Policy Research Institute" in Tokyo, the number of local governments that have regulations to regulate the installation was 28 municipalities in a survey conducted three years ago, but at least 94 municipalities as of the beginning of this month. It means that it has more than tripled.

Looking at the breakdown, 68 municipalities had areas where construction was prohibited or restrained, and 25 municipalities required the permission and consent of the mayor of the municipality for construction.

In Tono City, Iwate Prefecture and Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, where residents opposed the construction plan of a large-scale solar power generation facility, the entire city was subsequently designated as a "suppression area" by ordinance. I will.

Noriaki Yamashita, a senior researcher at the "Environmental and Energy Policy Research Institute" who conducted the survey, said, "It is surprising that so many local governments are regulated, and it is a big issue that must be overcome toward the realization of a" decarbonized society. " After that, "Decarbonization will not proceed just by considering it as a nuisance facility. Overseas, based on the actual situation of the region, some countries have decided areas to suppress introduction and areas to promote, and refer to such examples. , It is necessary to take measures in Japan as well. "

The reason for the establishment of the Nagano Kiso Town Ordinance was the signature of the residents

By the beginning of this month, Nagano Prefecture has enacted ordinances regulating the construction of solar power generation facilities in 13 municipalities, making it the second largest in Japan.

Of these, a new ordinance was enforced in Kiso Town last October.

According to the ordinance, when installing a power generation facility using renewable energy, it is necessary to explain the plan to the local residents' association in advance and obtain the consent of the town.

In addition, the area where there is a risk of damaging the landscape or causing sediment-related disasters is designated as a "control area", and in principle, the town does not agree to the construction of solar power generation facilities over 100 square meters.

One of the reasons for the enactment of the ordinance is the countersignature by local residents.

Kiso Town is located at the foot of Mt. Ontake, which is also known as an object of mountain worship, and is visited by many climbers.

Tamiko Matsunaga, who runs a hot spring inn in the town, has been planning to build a solar power generation facility less than a kilometer from her home and inn, and has been signing up against the construction for about five years.

It is said that the landscape is spoiled when trees are cut down, and the ground is loose in this area, and the solar panels may collapse.

So far, we have collected signatures for about 2,500 people and submitted them to the town, but the construction plan did not stop and power generation began in August.

More panels are planned in the future.

Mr. Matsunaga said, "The charm of this town is the seasonal nature such as beautiful autumn leaves, but if the solar panels are installed in a disorderly manner, that charm will be lost. Global warming countermeasures are necessary, and the solar panels are uniformly I'm not against it, but I want you to protect the places you should protect. "

In response to a call from Nagano Prefecture, Kiso Town enacted an ordinance to promote the introduction of renewable energy four years ago.

However, in response to the voices of residents who oppose the construction, such as Mr. Matsunaga, it was decided to abolish this ordinance and enact a new ordinance to regulate the installation.

According to the ordinance, the entire area at the foot of Mt. Ontake becomes a "suppression area", and in principle, large-scale solar power generation facilities cannot be installed in the future.

Kazuko Nakamura, chief of the Kiso Townspeople Division, said, "We have enacted an ordinance to prevent overdevelopment and protect the natural environment of Mt. Ontake, which is the symbol of the town. Introduction of renewable energy toward the realization of a" decarbonized society " Of course, I also have a desire to proceed, and I am forced to steer difficult. "

Approximately 530 consultations regarding solar power generation in 4 years

The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy has set up a contact point for consultations on inappropriate cases related to renewable energy, and nearly 600 consultations have been received in the four years up to September.

Of these, about 530 cases, which is more than 90%, are related to solar power generation, and most people are concerned that the business will proceed without the understanding of the local community.

In addition, there are cases in which the solar panels beside the Sanyo Shinkansen track in Kobe City collapsed due to the heavy rains in western Japan, causing damage to the surrounding area, such as the Shinkansen suspending temporary operation, and a power generation facility was constructed in the forest. In some cases, residents have filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against construction, saying that the function to prevent disasters such as debris flow will be lost.

Consider sharing information at the stage of government application

The law requires major electric power companies to purchase electricity generated from renewable energy from power generation companies at a predetermined price.

When certifying an individual power generation business under this feed-in tariff system, the national government must obtain the necessary permission when making a notification based on the Landscape Act or when constructing in a place where there is a risk of landslides. We check in advance whether or not.

In addition, for large-scale solar power generation facilities, it is obligatory for businesses to carry out an "assessment" to evaluate the impact on the environment, and for power generation facilities that are not covered, "environmentally friendly and regional" It is important to do business in a symbiotic manner. "

We would like each local government to carry out more detailed regulations according to the actual conditions of the region, but since there are many cases where businesses certified by the feed-in tariff system later become troubles locally. The government is considering changing the system, which now provides information such as businesses and business details to local governments only after certification, and sharing the information when an application is made.

By doing this, we would like to encourage local governments and businesses to communicate with each other early and gain local understanding before the project starts.