People’s Power Station Report 2019 Official Release

Tokyo --- Incorporated NPO People’s Power Network; a network of citizens and local organizations operating or planning to operate renewable energy power generation projects (“people’s power projects”); has officially released its 2019 survey on the current status of their operations. The network formed by 149 members and headed by Chief Director Hideaki Takemura conducted the survey and compiled the findings into the publication People’s Power Station Report 2019.

Although the report, in its fourth publication, examines relatively small scale community and local power operations, it is hoped the information learned will lead to further developments in renewable energy and support in government policy. 

A survey was conducted on both members and non-members who operated power stations mainly in metropolitan areas. While data summaries and analysis were focused on 713 photovoltaic (PV) power stations (total capacity 32,008 kW) with two experts providing reviews, the report also examined 14 distinctive power plant cases. The main characteristic points are written below.

Funds were received from Lush Japan’s “Charity Bank Grants” and Japanese Trade Union Confederation’s “Ai no Campaign” for the creation of the report. 

Main Points

○ First time tally for wind power generation and small hydroelectric generation

Citizens are not the only operators of renewable energy; local businesses and local governments have also participated playing a role in its expansion throughout different regions. 35 wind power generators and nine small hydroelectric power stations formed by the initiative of the above groups were investigated and analyzed.

○ Prices not falling in PV power construction unit prices

 Since 2016 PV power construction unit prices have remained flat, making installation rates slow down. In 2019, the price is 170,000 yen/kW on an array capacity basis, while it is 250,000 yen/kW on a PV inverter capacity basis.

○The report examined PV power problem cases for the first time.

Natural disaster is the cause for around half of the fourteen cases of PV power problems. However, there were design failures, product defects, operating mistakes and contractors’ mistakes in applications; human errors that could have been avoided.

○ Is FIT the decider in power generation method?

Since the start of the FIT system, installation numbers of wind powered generators have decreased while small hydroelectric generators have increased. The system which caused the dramatic increase in PV power has raised new issues.

○ The issue of converting renewable energy sources into main power supply

The government discussions regarding converting renewable energy into main power supply have split along the lines of competitive power supply and locally utilized power supply. In regards to locally utilized power, it is necessary for people’s power projects to mark its place.

Contact on this press release: 

Hideaki Takemura/Kazuhiro Sasaki

People’s Power Network

903, Casa Gyoen, 2-4-2, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Fax: 03 6380 5244　E-mail: ppn2014info@gmail.com

URL: http://peoplespowernetwork.jimdo.com