South Korea: Promoting solar powered housing

In 2006 South Korean government agreed to help finance the redesign of over 2000 homes to use solar eneregy as part of an effort to promote renewable energy. Homeowners will be compensated for 70% of the construction costs. In 2005, 907 homes were renovated.

Date Implemented: 2004

Status: In Force; Mandatory

Funding Information: 42.6 billion won for 2006

South Korea: Renewable Energy Budget

South Korea: Mega Solar Project
BP Solar and S-Energy of the Republic of Korea aim to create a landmark endorsement project, the ‘Asia-Pacific Partnership Mega Solar Project’. The project is scalable from 10MW to 100MW over a multiyear period. As a distributed generator this solar project will bring value to the electricity network and local economy across the country in addition to the valuable technology transfer and accelerated development.

Mexico: Grid- Connected Solar

The Global Environmen Facility (GEF) together with the UNDP is helping to fund a project that will help create more photovoltaic systems integrated into the power grid. This is aimed to reduce the strain during peak months when capacity is limited and prices are high. 

Date Implemented: 2007

Status: Proposed

Funding Information: $1,000,000 GEF grant to support the project

References: GEF-

China: Targets for Renewable Energy

China’s energy mix will be made up of 16% renewable energy by 2020, including specific goals for each sector.

Status: In Force;

Targets:

-install 5GW wind power by 2010 and 30GW wind power by 2020

-300MW installed capacity of solar power by 2010 and 1,800MW by 2020

China: Brightness Program

The Brightness Program includes the Township and Village Electrification Programs and is designed to bring electricity to rural areas and help alleviate poverty. China is focusing its efforts in the western provinces including Inner Mongolia, Tibet, Qunghai, Gansu, and Xinjiang. The Township Electrification Program targets 1065 towns to be provided with either solar or small scale hydro power.

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Date Implemented: 1998

Status: In Force; Mandatory

South Africa: Solar Traffic Lights

South Africa has begun a pilot program for solar power traffic lights. Four pairs of lights have been installed in  Cape Town to test their success. Due to power interruptions, officers often have to direct traffic when lights are out. If the project is a success, South Africa hopes to expand the program for more solar traffic lights. 

Date Implemented: 2008

Status: Planned; Pilot phase

India: Energy Policy

This policy outlines the  challenges that India faces as it develops and must generate and provide increasing amounts of energy. Measures include adressing energy security by acquring abundant supplies of coal and gas,  and increasing hydro and nuclear power.  India seeks to improve energy efficiency by reducing energy intensity across many sectors including mining, electricity distribution, transportation, industry and building construction. The policy also outlines methods to promote renewable energy and increase R&D.

India: Subsidies for Solar Power

India will subsidize solar power plants to the amount of 12 rupees (30 cents) per kilowatt hour. This plan will last for five years, and is expected to generate 10 billion rupees ($253.7 million) in private investment. 

Date Implemented: 2008

Status: In Force

References: http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSDEL14687020080103

China: Program of Action for Sustainable Development

This program is a follow-up of the White Paper on China’s Population, Environment, and Development in the 21st Century. It acknowledges progress made in the last decade including economic and social developments and capacity building, and also upcoming challenges. To deal with these challenges, the program suggests improving research and investement in sustainable development, improving legislation and supporting institutions, and strenghten international cooperation.

Priorities include: