Solar plant cleans Kawasaki image (JAPAN)

[AsahinaKimi]

Sun screen: The Ukishima solar power plant in Kawasaki near Tokyo's Haneda airport is taking the rays on July 12. HIROKO NAKATA

Infamous for pollution, the city turns to renewables

By HIROKO NAKATA
Staff writer/Japan Times

KAWASAKI — Few people may realize there is a giant solar power plant in the heart of the Tokyo metropolis, where available open land is scarce.

But in Kawasaki, Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s 11-hectare Ukishima plant, with its 37,926 solar panels, is proving the exception.

The rent-free plant sits atop a landfill adjacent to Tokyo's Haneda airport and the Tama River estuary, thus the site is not near any sun-blocking high-rises.

"People from about 20 municipal governments came over here to see our plant in the past month," said Iwao Shibayama, a senior official in charge of renewable energy in the Kawasaki Municipal Government.

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[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. This is a very intelligent move.

Good for them.

K&R

[AsahinaKimi]

3. I really wish we would do more of this..

Especially in places where there is a lot of sun. It might even create more jobs, and allow people to go back to work.

[Generic Other]

2. What a great idea

From what I have read, Japanese are really getting serious about cutting back on electrical use. Especially neon lights. Good for them.