Japanese solar panel maker Kyocera has announced it has installed over 1,200 solar power systems on Japan’s schools.
Under the Japanese government’s “School New Deal” initiative, solar schools in the nation have increase exponentially, with a government goal of 12,000 public elementary, middle and high schools in place.
Kyocera says it is the leader in the field, with a market share of over 40% of solar school projects. The company also says Japan’s public and industrial use of solar energy has expanded by roughly 3.6-times in the five-year period from FY2005 to FY2010.
The Kyocera solar panel based systems not only provide a clean energy source for the schools where they are installed, it also offers education opportunities for students to learn about renewable energy.
Kyocera also recently announced the launch of its interactive “Solar Power Expo” web site, an online tool that promotes education on solar power and its role in addressing environmental problems. The expo site is specifically designed for school students. Previously only available in the Japanese language, the site is now available in English.
Kyocera Corporation was established in Japan in 1959. Today it consists of 213 group companies and employs over 63,000 people.
Closer to home, Australia’s solar schools program has seen more than 1,600 projects installed across the nation since the program commenced in July 2008 and almost 7,300 schools have registered their interest to participate. The Department received more than 2,000 applications in the 2010-11 funding round. Details of the 2011-12 funding round are yet to be announced.
