INDIA CITY LIT BY JAPAN SUN

Japan wants to set up solar city
Naraj Thakur, January 7, 2010 (DNA India)

"Japan says it wants to set up at least one solar city in India out of the 34 that the government is planing to develop during the Eleventh Plan Period…[through which India seeks] to cut the country’s carbon emissions and promote the use of renewable energy.

"A Japanese delegation…[met with India’s] minister for new and renewable energy… and discussed various aspects of cooperation between the two countries in the field of renewable energy."

Japan was a pioneer in solar, fell behind at the turn of the century and has recently jumpstarted a renewed effort. (click to enlarge)

"A total of 34 cities have been approved by the government in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Chandigarh…The ministry of new and renewable energy is providing financial support up to Rs 50 lakh for each solar city…for preparation… [F]or two model solar cities,financial support of 50%…will be available towards the cost of installation…

"Japan is promoting a Midori no Bunken, which aims at changing centralised society to community-based society to enhance self-sufficiency within a region through maximising natural resources (forest, sea, food, etc) and energy, with emphasis on self-sufficiency…Midori no Bunken does not rely on electricity generated by others. It focuses on renewable energy like solar, wind, micro hydel and biomass energy. India is looking to get investment and technology from foreign countries to increase the use of renewable energy in India…"

India has ample sun.

"The Indian and the Japanese delegations also agreed to strengthen cooperation in research and development for promoting renewable energy…

"The proposed solar cities will aim to reduce a minimum of 10% of the projected demand of conventional energy of the city through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy installations."