Agreement between the City of Kawasaki and a solar power generation company (Kawasaki, 2006)

Agreement between the City of Kawasaki and a solar power generation company (Kawasaki, 2006)

In the mid-200s, the Kyoto Protocol came into effect in Japan, and the spread of renewable energy was encouraged by policy, with subsidies for home solar power generation in particular attracting attention. However, a wave of malicious remodeling companies that took advantage of the popularity of solar power generation began to take place across the country, prompting local governments to take action from the standpoint of consumer protection. In response to this social situation, Kawasaki City concluded an "Agreement on Prevention of Consumer Trouble in Residential Construction Contracts" with solar power generation installers in the city in 2006. The agreement requires that only contractors who have undergone training by the manufacturer present a preliminary estimate and clarify the details of the contract, and introduces a system that allows citizens to choose a contractor with peace of mind. The city has made its credibility "visible" by issuing a seal of approval to exc
ellent contractors and publishing a list of them on its official website. The background of this initiative is Kawasaki City's commitment to the Eco-Town project and the concentration of the recycling industry under the banner of "Environmentally Advanced City. This initiative was groundbreaking in that it went beyond mere subsidy measures to present a model of diffusion support based on trust among citizens, the government, and businesses. Citizens commented that the agreement seal was a source of reassurance, and for business operators, it provided an opportunity to regain trust and expand their markets. While construction troubles have become a nationwide problem, Kawasaki's policy has spread to other municipalities as a pioneering example of balancing consumer protection and the promotion of renewable energy.