Green phoenix rises from the ashes as Japan shifts its focus

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.thenational.ae/business/industry-insights/energy/green-phoenix-rises-from-the-ashes-as-japan-shifts-its-focus

[font face=Serif][font size=5]Green phoenix rises from the ashes as Japan shifts its focus[/font]

Danielle Demetriou

[font size=3]The word "Fukushima" may be synonymous with nuclear meltdowns, ghost towns and contaminated rice fields.

The north-east region of Japan, however, once famed for its green mountains and fresh vegetables, is in the midst of the most ambitious of rebranding projects: it is attempting to transform itself into a global green energy hub.

Workers will soon start building the world's biggest offshore wind farm, with 143 turbines 16km off the coast of Fukushima, while the prefecture is also due to become home to Japan's largest solar park.

These are just two of the renewable energy projects currently under way in Fukushima, with the goal of making the still nuclear-tainted region completely self-sufficient by 2040, using renewable energy sources alone.

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[pscot]

1. Is solar feasible in Japan?

In Kurosawa's films the Sun never shines.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Is solar feasible in “The Land of the Rising Sun!?”

FWIW: Contrary to popular belief, solar actually does work during overcast days. (Although if a panel receives less light, it will likely produce less electricity.)

Check out Stan Ovshinsky (starting at about 18:00)
http://digital.films.com/play/XWCHC4#