Sunlight in the Forest - The Challenge of Oyashirafuchi, Sotonami Green Park, Aomori Prefecture (June 1998)

Sunlight in the Forest - The Challenge of Oyashirafuchi, Sotonami Green Park, Aomori Prefecture (June 1998)

In the late 1990s, Japan was facing environmental problems such as global warming and acid rain amid the stagnation that followed the collapse of the bubble economy. 1997 saw the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, which promoted the introduction of renewable energy in rural areas, and efforts were sought to combine energy conservation with regional development. The private power generation using solar cells installed in "Green Park Oyashirazu," a forest park in Tonami, Aomori Prefecture, is a symbol of this era.

The park is located far from human habitation, and the high cost of drawing electricity had previously made it inconvenient to install nighttime lighting. The park has now adopted a system of in-house power generation that combines solar cells and storage batteries to store daytime light and provide lighting at night. The system was revolutionary in that it did not emit exhaust gases or noise, and enhanced convenience while maintaining harmony with the natural environment.

The main technologies introduced were polycrystalline silicon solar panels, storage batteries, and inverters for power conversion, which were also supported by a subsidy program based on the national government's new energy introduction program. This initiative was not limited to mere facility improvement, but also functioned as a place for environmental education, enabling visitors to experience the "compatibility of the environment and comfort.

The Sotoha case is an advanced practice of integrating tourism resources and environmental technology, and it shows the direction for the diffusion of renewable energy in rural areas. The sun's light on the campsite became a symbol of a sustainable future for the local community.