The Japanese edition of the Asahi newspaper reported yesterday that experts from various disciplines and industries gathered in Miyagi Prefecture on the second of May for the first in a series of earthquake reconstruction meetings. At the meeting they set out plans for reconstruction in the region post earthquake and tsunami.
It was at this meeting that they announced plans to install solar panels on the roofs of all temporary municipal housing that is currently being built to house victims of the disaster, and to install them on the roofs of houses built by individuals as well. They hope to finance the initiative by requesting funds from central government, they will then use a system where power companies purchase the surplus energy in order to make a return. It is also hoped that the project will help natural energy production gain momentum.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the average home could expect to make approx. 96,000 yen per year (roughly 720 pounds) if their surplus energy was sold to power companies.
Miyagi Prefecture has estimated that approximately 30,000 temporary homes will be needed to house victims of the earthquake and tsunami of March 11. They have confirmed that as of May 1st 55,000 homes had been completely destroyed in the disaster, and that at least 12,000 homes had been partially destroyed.
