The Japanese government has set a goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To that end, an increasing number of companies are seeking environmental value. Environmental value can be said to give preferential treatment to companies and organizations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is a system in which you can earn profits by producing renewable energy. Under this system, newly constructed solar panels are more likely to obtain high environmental value. Tokyo plans to make the installation of solar panels mandatory for newly constructed homes at construction sites by major real estate companies and others. The city expects that 700,000 kW of solar energy will be newly installed in newly constructed homes by 2030. Not only in Tokyo, but also in Kawasaki City, the installation of solar panels will be mandatory for construction sites by major real estate companies and others from 2025.
There is also a movement to promote the installation of new solar power generation systems at homes, led by electric power companies. It will provide a service in which solar equipment can be installed in homes free of charge at the initial cost by partnering with 10 companies. TEPCO has partnered with about 10 companies, including Sumitomo Realty & Development and Nomura Real Estate. This is a service that TEPCO Energy Partners purchase any electricity that is not used at home. Residents pay a monthly fee to TEPCO and consume the electricity generated by solar panels for their own use. Kyushu Electric Power has also partnered with a local detached house manufacturer for a similar service. The introduction of solar power generation for detached houses without using mega solar panels has become a recent trend.
Kawasaki City may be the city at the forefront of this trend. Kawasaki City has decided to make it mandatory to install solar power generation equipment on detached houses from fiscal year 2025. The city council voted on a proposal to amend the ordinance to make it mandatory to install solar power generation equipment on detached houses. It is difficult to cover all electricity with renewable energy. However, they have become aware of the problem that what can be done within the community should be done as much as possible within the community. In 2020, the number of construction orders for detached houses in Kawasaki City was 3,400. A combination of various equipment is called a “solar power generation system.” In order to introduce solar power generation, various equipment other than solar panels must be combined. The cost of installing a residential solar power generation system in 2021 will be 840,000 yen for a 3kW system and 1.4 million yen for a 5kW system. In addition to Kawasaki City, some other municipalities are making it mandatory. For example, Kyoto Prefecture will require the installation of renewable energy equipment for new construction and expansion of buildings with a total floor area of 300 m2 or more from April 2022. It seems that from now on, environmentally conscious municipalities will be making a big push to reduce household emissions.
