To achieve carbon neutrality in Japan, it is necessary to expand the popularization of renewable energy such as solar power generation. Solar power sharing has received a lot of attention as a measure to expand the penetration of renewable energy. At the same time, as the technology spreads in Japan, new problems and anxiety have arisen in solar power sharing.
Based on this, we next focus on 3 problems that have to be overcome in the future development of solar energy in Japan. They are "Land Constraints", "Social Acceptance" and "Technology Constraints". Below we will analyze these three issues one by one.
01
Problem 1: Land Constraints
According to a survey by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, the potential for introducing solar power in Japan is 2,746GW. Among them, it is the easiest place to install solar power generation equipment, with a capacity of 699GW. After the FIT started, the land and space suitable for solar power generation in Japan became less and less.
More and more agricultural land in Japan is also being used for solar power generation, but there are many restrictions on the conversion of agricultural land, which has limited effect on the popularization of solar power generation in Japan. As of March 2020, the number of agricultural land conversion permits announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was 2,653, and by the end of 2021, the cumulative total had reached about 4,000.
Including forests that have obtained development permits, abandoned arable land and agricultural wasteland in Japan can also be converted into solar power generation land for effective use. At present, Japan's abandoned arable land has reached 420,000 hectares. If these lands can be used as solar power generation land, it will not only contribute to the popularization of renewable energy in Japan, but also to local income generation in Japan and the utilization of national land. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is re-examining the system for converting agricultural wasteland into solar power generation land, but Japan will always avoid excessive appropriation of agricultural land.
In 2019, more than 2,000 agricultural light projects were added in Japan. This increase is not too much. Although the number of agricultural light projects in Japan will increase in the future, as the agricultural committee of Japan becomes more and more strict in the audit of agricultural light land, the number of agricultural land that cannot pass the audit will also increase.
02
Question 2: Social Acceptance
Although solar power generation has sustainable advantages, it is difficult to successfully introduce solar power generation even on land suitable for installation of solar power generation facilities without the understanding of local residents. While solar power has broad acceptance in Japan, it may be overlooked by local development plans after the FIT ends.
At present, there are some disputes and disregard of relevant regulations around the introduction of renewable energy such as solar power generation in some areas of Japan. If solar power generation is to gain the same status as other main power generation methods, it is necessary to eliminate local and social concerns. This is a measure that must be done even if the import of some solar power generation is reduced.
From April 2020, the Japanese Ministry of the Environment began to consider solar power plants of more than 30MW as the target of environmental impact assessment. A power station to reach this capacity must also ensure that its construction is fully approved by local authorities. Therefore, the introduction of solar power generation in Japan should not only consider the power generation potential, but also consider whether it is integrated with the characteristics of various parts of Japan.
On this issue, the corresponding Japanese laws and the central government will play a great role. For example, the "Japan's Law on Renewable Resources for Agriculture, Mountains and Fishing Villages" implemented in 2014 stipulates that the development of renewable energy should be led by local governments, and energy Importing must reach a consensus with the locality and provide returns for the locality. In addition, Japan's government agencies have the disadvantage of being independent, and in order to popularize renewable energy locally, relevant Japanese government agencies must strengthen cooperation.
In Japan, in addition to the central government, local governments also have a certain degree of decision-making power over local affairs. Therefore, whether renewable energy can be popularized locally also depends on whether the authority of the local government can be utilized. As of 2019, a total of 68 municipalities, municipalities and villages have formulated basic plans for local renewable energy in accordance with the "Renewable Energy Law for Farming, Mountains and Fishing Villages" promulgated by the central government of Japan, and a total of 80 equipment improvement plans related to renewable energy. According to these laws mentioned above, Japanese local governments can explore the potential of renewable energy production in their regions, confirm the significance of introducing renewable energy in their regions, and thus increase the acceptance of renewable energy in their regions.
03
Question 3: Technical Constraints
Agricultural production varies from region to region, and the varieties and production techniques vary from region to region, whether it be grains, vegetables or fruit trees. Every crop has a light saturation point for photosynthesis. Whether the sunlight above the light saturation point has any effect on the growth of crops, even if a certain amount of shading shines on the crops, is there any problem with the crops, and the problem of solar energy sharing focuses on this point. Whether a crop is suitable for growth depends on the local climate and soil conditions, and if adapted to these conditions, solar sharing will be possible.
In addition, the problems of the power system itself are also restricting the development of solar power generation. Currently, Japan's grid and AC frequencies are not uniform. Instead, it is divided into several areas under the jurisdiction of the electricity company in that area. Due to this special situation of Japan's power grid, the power fluctuation of renewable energy in Japan's power grid, ensuring the maintenance of transmission capacity and power system stability, etc., have become several major issues to be solved for the widespread popularization of renewable energy in Japan.
Epilogue
If these problems are improved, the cost of solar power generation in Japan is expected to be further reduced. The spread of renewable electricity has not only cut carbon dioxide emissions, but is also expected to cut electricity bills. More profoundly, solar power sharing will be a means of "realizing a community-based society of good material recycling."