Location:117-1, Takematsu, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture Generation

Capacity:PV module capacity: 15.3 kW Storage battery capacity: 15.4 kW

Subsidy: The Ministry of the Environment’s “Subsidy for project expenses for countermeasures to curb CO2 emissions (Project to promote installation of independent and distributed energy facilities which realize disaster prevention and reduction as well as low carbonization of local communities in parallel)

Start of Operation: June 2020

Overview:

On June 26, 2020, the roadside rest area “Ashigara Kintaro’s Hometown” opened in Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. In addition to supplying electricity derived from locally-produced renewable energy to the ” Ashigara Kintaro’s Hometown,” Shonan Power introduced a PV system for energy generation and storage batteries in preparation for disasters in cooperation with Hotoku Energy. In peacetime, the generated electricity is self-consumed, and in the event of a disaster, the PV system serves as an emergency power source for the local community. Furthermore, in 2021, a PV system and an EV charger were added, making it possible to charge EVs using the generated power. Both projects utilized the Ministry of the Environment’s “Subsidy for project expenses for countermeasures to curb CO2 emissions (Project to promote installation of independent and distributed energy facilities which realize disaster prevention and reduction as well as low carbonization of local communities in parallel).” Minamiashigara City, Shonan Power, and Hotoku Energy concluded a basic agreement to promote the local production for local consumption of renewable energy in the city, and are developing public facilities in the city as a base for sustainable town development using renewable energy. In the future, the introduction of PV systems at roadside rest areas are expected to increase, and PV installations in parking lots will also progress.