Providing the world with solar-power generation technology from Kansai(Winter,2012)

After being commissioned by JICA, PREX implemented the Planning Support for Introduction of Solar Power Generation (A) from Sept. 13 (Tues.) to Oct. 14 (Fri.) for 18 public-sector officials from 13 countries. There is an extremely high level of demand for seminars in solar power generation. This seminar has been carried out since last year to cover the entire world, three times a year (A, B, C), each under threeyear plans. PREX has been tasked with implementing two of them (A and B). The latest one was course A, which was in the second year of the three-year plan, and it was for countries with a high level of needs with respect to the introduction of grid connections (systems that connect and use power generated by solar or wind power to electric power companies’ power-transmission or distribution lines).

Participants receive practical training by using measuring instruments at Osaka City University

Visits to solar-power generation clusters in Kansai

In recent years, the introduction of renewable energy has become an important issue, for developed and developing countries alike, in realizing low-carbon societies. In developing countries, climatic features are being taken advantage of and hydro, wind and biomass energies are being put to practical use. In addition, the accelerated movement toward the introduction of solar-power generation, which uses the limitless energy of the sun, has been remarkable. It is thus necessary to fully learn the knowledge related to the introduction of solar-power generation, its continuous operations and maintenance methods, and so on. 
Solar-panel and battery manufacturers and housing builders that install solarpower equipment on private homes have become concentrated in the Kansai region. In order to make practical use of the “solar-power generation clusters” in this seminar, we obtained the support of the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) and created a program that centered around visits to Kansai businesses engaged in the solar-power industry. 

Expectations for business matching with various countries and Kansai

In the latest seminar, carefully planned lectures and guidance were kindly provided by expert instructors: JICA specialist Mr. Ogawa as course leader, Mr. Yoshino, a consultant, and Professor Ohzuku of Osaka City University. They helped deepen understanding, from the history of Japan’s solar-power industry, to the basic provisions of solar-power technology, to Japan’s policies on renewable energies. 
At the beginning of the seminar, a meeting was held to present country reports, and another to report on the successful results at the seminar’s conclusion. At both events, there were reports on the energy and electrical power situations in the participants’ home countries, the state of solar-power generation and reviews of the seminar. Through the opportunity to exchange opinions with Kankeiren member companies, the participants were able to exchange information that touched directly on specific solarpower projects. We expect business matching will take place between the various countries and Kansai in the future.

Atsumu MORI,
General Manager,
International Department