Electricity for the Embassy of Japan in Groenkloof, Pretoria will now be mainly
supplied by 410 Solar Panels. We estimate that 90 metric tonnes of CO2
emissions will be saved annually by using these solar panels.
Technical specifications of the solar panels:
Power Output: Approximately 100 KW/H (with a minimum of 80KW/H in
daytime).
Daily Embassy Usage: 115 KW/H
Solar Panel Size: 81cm x 158cm x 410 panels
Supplier: Sanyo South Africa
Total installation cost: R8 million
Frequently Asked Questions.
1. What about night usage?
The Embassy is still connected to the Eskom power grid.
2. Will the Embassy save power in batteries?
The Embassy will await development of more efficient batteries.
3. Why switch to solar power?
The Embassy believes that the climate in South Africa is solar
friendly, and wishes to showcase Japan’s seriousness in tackling
the challenges of climate change.
4. Why install a LED display?
The Embassy wishes to promote awareness about CO2 emission
reductions.
5. What are Japan’s CO2 emission reductions goals?
At the United Nations Summit on Climate Change held in New
York in September 2009, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio
Hatoyama stated that:“For its mid-term goal, Japan will aim to reduce its emissions by 25% by 2020, if
compared to the 1990 level, consistent with what the science calls for in order to
halt global warming… It is imperative to establish a fair and effective
international framework in which all major economies participate.”
6. What is Japan’s policy for helping with the adaptation, mitigation and
access to renewable energy for developing countries?
At the Copenhagen Conference in December 2009, Japanese
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stated that the Government of
Japan has pledged over $15 billion of assistance to developing
countries.
“Japan announced that it would provide assistance to developing countries in the
amount of about 15 billion US dollars in total up to 2012, including 11 billion in public
financing”
