(Japanese article is here.)
The town of Yufu in Kyushu decided to protect its landscape against uncontrolled growth of large scale solar power generation facilities.
Yufu, in Oita prefecture, enacted ordinance that regulates construction of large scale solar power plants (called "mega solar" in Japanese).
The move aims to prevent destruction of Yufu's scenic landscape by large and unsightly stretches of solar panels.
Yufu's newly adopted regulation is so unusual that it was reported in online Sankei news, regional edition of Yomiuri Shimbun and other media.
The "Ordinance on harmonization of natural environment and renewable energy generation operations" requires companies that plan to construct solar power facility larger than 5,000 m2, to notify the town and provide explanation to local residents' council. Town authorities may ask to review the plan if detrimental effects on landscape are anticipated.
In addition, places of extraordinary natural or historical value and of outstanding scenic beauty may be designated as "inhibition zone,"where companies may be asked to refrain from any renewable energy development projects whatsoever.
This is the first ordinance regulating solar power generation in Kyushu, and it is an unusual measure nationally.
The town of Yufu, with its famous Yufuin-onsen, is among leading tourist destinations in Kyushu. Along with hot springs, beautiful scenery too is a valuable tourism resource that helps attract visitors.
(Yufu. Photo by Takasunrise 0921. Reproduced under GFDL+creative commons2.5)
Recenty, several plans for large scale
solar power generation projects have successively emerged in the town.
Local residents, fearing that such projects would have disastrous effect on their town's landscape, opposed them, but solar power plant construction on private land cannot be regulated under Japan's current Landscape Act. That is why Yufu started working on its own ordinance proposal in December 2013.
The proposal passed unanimously in the town council on January 28, 2014, and was enforced on the following day.
Boom in solar power construction in Japan was sparked by the launch of renewable energy feed-in tariff (FIT) system in July 2012.
We - Bo & Su - will also benefit from this system in our solar sharing power plant & farm that is now being designed.
FIT system has been a powerful boost to the spread of renewable energy, but (just as any other system) it is not perfect.
Installation costs of solar panels are high, but with high purchase price of panel-generated electricity, guaranteed for 20 years under the FIT scheme, it is now a very profitable business for those who can afford the initial investment. Unfortunately, companies that joined solar business do not care about lives and feelings of locals who suddenly must live next to big and sterile solar panel desert.
Solar power was - and still is - meant to help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear energy. It wasn't meant to be a villain, but insensitive "mega solar" business will only stir resentment among people.
Japan's government should act to put a stop to unrestricted growth of mega solar power plants.
But if government is too slow, then local authorities should follow Yufu's example and establish their own municipal regulations that will protect their landscape.
The best place for solar panels is either on the roof or about three meters above ground in solar sharing. I believe these are two most people-friendly ways of utilizing energy from sun.
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