Fukuoka expands solar energy use

Fukuoka Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in southwestern Japan will lease roof space in its school buildings and other public buildings to solar panels to take advantage of the new Feed-in Tariff for renewable energy.

It will first rent out the empty roof space of school buildings located in several cities of the prefecture. Each roof of the buildings has a floor area of more than 1,000 square meters.

It will then lease more space at other public facilities with a roof area of more than 1,000 square meters. The leasing scheme will guarantee non-tax revenue for the prefecture while advancing the use of solar power generation in southwestern Japan.

Fukuoka said it will begin to accept applications from any interested private company by the middle of October.