[Grandpa has seen it!] What I thought after looking at the "Decarbonization Portal" for the first time in a while!?

My heart is Gen Z! My body is a Showa-era person over 60! I am Grandpa, a Gen Z supporter.

When I looked at the Ministry of the Environment's "Decarbonization Portal" for the first time in a while, a site newly established on September 28, 2021, called "Zero Carbon Action 30" stood out.

Looking at the content, I clearly understood the Ministry of the Environment's stance of "prioritizing renewable energy above all else."

However, there is an expression called "0-yen solar" that is extremely lacking in explanation, and if left as is, it will make everyone misunderstand, which gave me a very bad feeling.

Let's take a look at the content!

✅ First, the site's image!?

I, Grandpa, followed the menu for switching to renewable energy.

Then, wasn't there a provocative title "0-yen solar" with "Recommended for: Individuals"?

The Ministry of the Environment shouldn't be using this title.

✅ Is 0-yen solar not actually free!?

It is the same as "that thing" that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications warned mobile carriers about and forced them to stop.

It is that catchphrase that hid high communication fees by making it seem like it was 0 yen, like "smartphone body 0 yen," and prevented consumers from realizing they were paying high communication fees through bundled sales of communication services and terminals (mobile phones).

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, believing that the method of shifting the burden only to terminal manufacturers without lowering communication charges at all was not in the best interest of consumers, forced a change in 2019 to contracts that separate communication charges from the mobile phone body.

Since this legal amendment, mobile communication charges have gone down, haven't they? It smells just like that "smartphone body 0 yen" that never made communication charges cheaper!?

This "0-yen solar" catchphrase is also no good.

Those who know that there is no such thing as a free lunch probably won't see this catchphrase and immediately Google "0-yen solar" and access unscrupulous contractors, but those who are hasty should read carefully.

Even if they say "0-yen solar," it means "initial costs are 0 yen," and it is actually cheaper to purchase everything yourself😅

Even though the investment cost for solar power generation systems has decreased compared to the past, such as in Europe where the cost of solar power is now cheaper than thermal power generation,that system is never available for free (0-yen solar).

✅ What does this mean?

As Grandpa writes articles about the importance of climate change measures to stop global warming, I consider myself a supporter of the Ministry of the Environment, but I think the way "0-yen solar" is presented is wrong.

Businesses are not installing rooftop solar panels as a charity. You will never get a solar power generation system for free through "0-yen solar."

If legal development progresses and bills are passed to strengthen ZEH (Zero Emission House) standards, making renewable energy mandatory for future new homes, housing prices will naturally increase.

When that happens,"houses won't sell,"and because the industry, worried about"votes," pushes back, Japan still hasn't been able to introduce world-standard insulation criteria, and is mocked for having the hottest and coldest houses in the world.

Since we committed to the UN to reduce CO2 by 46% from 2013 levels by 2050, I think we have no choice but to implement strict regulations this time, but the current situation is left up to consumers who jump at "0-yen solar"!?

Wise consumers are thinking, "I want to contribute to the environment."

That is why I am worried that such conscientious consumers might think, "If it's 0-yen solar, maybe I'll install it," and end up calling unscrupulous contractors.

✅ Be cautious unless you are building a new detached house now!?

In any case, it is best to install a solar power generation system yourself and have the power company buy the surplus electricity.

However, if you cannot include it in your housing loan (due to issues like hitting the limit), introducing a solar power generation system through a 0-yen solar scheme might be an option.

But if you already own a detached house, keep in mind that it is more profitable to install it yourself, and you should thoroughly research installation standards and other details.

✅ Consult with the administration!?

The good thing about solar power generation systems is that you can generate electricity using solar energy, a fuel that is available for "free" from nature.Therefore, it feels like you will be able to get electricity for "free" forever after the equipment is fully depreciated.

But think carefully. Panels have limits to their power generation capacity.

If you are tricked into buying inferior solar panels and the power generation drops by half in less than 5 years, you will need to replace (maintain) the panels.

Panel quality and performance have improved now, so the degradation of power generation after 10 years might be quite small, but it is not permanent, so please check carefully.

The industrial waste disposal costs when disposing of them might also be significant.

Everyone is emotional about nuclear power, so they oppose "nuclear waste," but they ignore the "solar panel waste" that will emerge in large quantities in the future. What do they intend to do about it?

The reason why Ene-Farm, which generates electricity by reforming city gas to produce hydrogen for fuel cells,did not become widespread was also due to durability issues.

Contributing to the environment is not all rosy; we must understand, even without government explanation, that it will involve bearing a fair share of the costs, and let's build a society where wages rise to cover those increased costs!?

(The problem is how to create a society where wages rise, though. 😊 → Grandpa continues to believe that young people going to the polls is the first step!?)Good luck, Gen Z!

Thank you for reading until the end.

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